Riverside Metropolitan Museum

Public Programs & Special Events

UPCOMING:                  

	Smithsonian Week in Riverside May 16 - 18
	Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social June 24
	Seaweed, Salmon, and Manzanita Cider Related Events: June 7 & 9

Ongoing Public Programs

First Sundays
1st Sunday of every month, October – May, 1 – 4 pm | Best for Families and Children | Free
First Sundays is a monthly series of free family programs featuring different activities for children and youth. The museum is one of many participating locations. First Sunday programs are generously supported by the Arts Council and the Riverside Museum Associates. More info...

Riverside Arts Walk
1st Thursday of every month, 6:00 – 9:00 pm | Best for All Ages | Free
Riverside Arts Walk features art, culture, and entertainment. Visit over 22 downtown locations, including museums, galleries and studios, presenting an eclectic mix of visual and performing arts. More info...

Discovery Days
3rd Wednesday of every month, 1:30 – 4:30 pm | Best for Children Ages 3 – 10 | Free
Discovery Days feature hands-on activities, live animals and plants, and animal experts engaging kids in the process of discovery. More info...

 
Annual Special Events

An Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social (June 24, 2012)
An Afternoon of Ice Cream, Entertainment, and Old-Style Independence Day Celebration
All ages will enjoy this free event that features ice cream, homemade lemonade, and musical entertainment. Guests have the opportunity to play authentic Victorian games, watch a traditional blacksmith at work, learn how old-fashioned hand cranked ice cream is made, and watch a special patriotic program by the Sons of the American Revolution which includes: musket firing, cotillion dance, and a parade through the grounds, all in revolutionary-war era costumes. Local authors offer book signings and readings. This event is held annually on the last Sunday of June at the Heritage House.

Chinese Moon Festival (September 30, 2012)
Celebrating Chinese Culture underneath a Full Moon
Held Annually in September or October (During the Full Moon), the Chinese Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is one of the most important holidays in the Chinese calendar. It is celebrated on the 15th lunar day of 8th Chinese lunar month when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. Traditionally, it is a family holiday much like Thanksgiving. Families gather to watch the full moon rise and enjoy pastries made specifically for the event called “moon cakes.” This event focuses on Chinese culture through the celebration of this traditional harvest festival featuring Chinese storytelling, calligraphy, Chinese crafts and games, moon cakes, special chef demonstration, and a special opportunity to view the full moon with high-powered telescopes set up by the Riverside Astronomical Society.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration  (Nov. 2, 2012)
Celebrating Mexican Culture and Art
Although celebrated in many cultures, Día de los Muertos, is an important Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones. It is celebrated every year as the holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). On All Soul’s Day, adults who have died are honored through altars displaying their favorite foods, drinks, personal belongings, flowers, candles, and incense. Hosted by Division Gallery 9 and the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, this celebration begins with a procession of Aztec Dancers down Mission Inn Ave. and features children’s activities, music, food, art, altars, dance performances by Ballet Folklórico de Riverside, and more. This event is held annually on November 2.

Victorian Christmas Open House (Dec. 9, 2012)
Experience Christmas as it was in the 1890s
Enjoy a traditional Victorian Christmas Celebration as one would have seen in the 1890s when the house was originally built complete with fresh cut greens, handmade wreaths, and mistletoe adorning the home. This family-friendly celebration features Father Christmas, musical entertainment which includes caroling, authoharps, dulcimers, bagpipes, and a barbershop quartet; home-baked sweets, Victorian crafts and activities, and hot mulled cider. This event is held annually on the second Sunday of December.

RMA Tour and Taste Fundraiser (Feb.  2013)
Tour Museum & Taste Riverside’s Finest
Casual Elegant Attire, $35 per person
A sampling of Riverside's finest restaurants and caterers will offer selections of food and beverages for visitors as they tour the current exhibits on display at the museum. Hosted by the Riverside Museum Associates, Tour and Taste is an annual fundraiser to raise money for the Museum and its programs.

Smithsonian Week in Riverside
Each year, scholars from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. visit the local Riverside schools and Museum for a week-long schedule of free presentations, exhibitions, community events, and receptions that celebrate all things Smithsonian.