International Museum Day

International Museum Day @ Toitū

Celebrate International Museum Day with us!
Join the Toitū team for exploration and hands on activities at one of Ōtepoti’s great institutions.

Enjoy music in the Josephine Foyer with a selection of acapella classics from The Dunedin Harmony Chorus, sit back and listen to local pianist Jeff Cheshire, or if you’re an amateur maestro - take up the opportunity to showcase your own talent at the open piano session.

The photobooth will be available for fun poses or vintage recreations in our iconic Smith Gallery, and if the family research bug bites, visit the Research Centre where family-friendly activities will help you learn more about our collection and your own family history.

Museum Day won’t be complete without a visit to our latest exhibition, Eden in Dunedin. Become a textile detective and see if you can spot some of the fabulous fabric swatch samples we’ve selected for you to hunt out.

Alternatively, get your hands dirty in the On The Move displays in the Transport and Technology Gallery with a kid’s workshop, where you can learn more about motor heritage and create your own miniature replica. Be sure to book your spot!

Toitū looks forward to welcoming you to International Museum Day 2025!

Photobooth
Memorialize your visit to Toitū by capturing an image for posterity in our Smith Gallery Photobooth. Whether you choose a stoic pose or crack a smile, it's an experience for the whole whanau. Reanimate your love of museums by learning about Dunedin’s social history and preserving your own moment in time!
10am – 2pm, Smith Gallery | Free

Fabulous Fabric Finder
Eden in Dunedin is Toitū’s latest exhibition – showcasing spectacular New Zealand designer fashion featuring wool, skins, sequins, lurex, sheer fabric and more.

Join us in getting up close and personal, with an ISPY focusing on finding some fabulous fabric swatches from the Eden Hore collection.
10am – 2pm, Materials Culture Gallery | Free

Junior Genealogists
Pop into the Research Centre for some self-directed family research activities. Make your own Kowhai family tree or interview a grown up in your life.
Investigate if you can find a family member in the Thomas Burns visitation book or look up their portrait in our collection of 7000! Can you spot any family resemblance?
10am – 2pm, Research Centre | Free

Toitū Sounds – Open Piano
Fancy yourself on the piano?
Play along with local pianist Jeff Cheshire as we open the piano up to everyone in support of NZ Music Month.

Sit yourself in front of the keys in Toitū’s spacious Josephine Foyer and show the community your talents. Afterwards, enjoy a performance from a local artist or group.
11.30am – 12.30pm, Josephine Foyer |Free

Toitū Sounds – Dunedin Harmony Chorus
An afternoon session of laid-back music featuring Toitū favourites, Dunedin Harmony Chorus.
This wonderful acapella choir will bring to life some of your favourite songs as their voices ring through the spacious Josephine Foyer.
12.30pm, Josephine Foyer |Free