NHMU’s DinoFest Invites Dinosaur Fans to Explore Prehistoric Skies

The Fan-Favorite Festival Returns to Salt Lake City January 31 and February 1, 2026

SALT LAKE CITY, January 5, 2026 – On January 31 and February 1, 2026, DinoFest will take over the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) when the museum will celebrate the festival’s 10th year with an exploration of “Prehistoric Skies.”

Following last year’s success with “Underwater Worlds,” this year’s DinoFest will continue the evolution of the decade-long festival, which highlights a different paleontological theme each year, and consistently breaks attendance records at the museum.

DinoFest was first hosted at NHMU in 2017 as the “Ultimate Throwback Weekend.” The event was an instant success, offering science learning and family activities for dinosaur fans from far and wide. From expert lectures by paleontologists to hands-on activities for kids, the festival appeals to dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages.

Past themes have included the origins of dinosaurs, their extinction, colors, defense mechanisms, and prehistoric underwater worlds. This year, the museum’s paleontologists turn their attention with the theme “Prehistoric Skies.”

“Dinosaurs may have ruled the Earth during the Mesozoic Era, but this year we’re taking flight with the many ancient critters that dominated the air,” said Randy Irmis, Ph.D., NHMU’s curator of paleontology.

This year, the DinoFest speaker lineup will be headlined by keynote talks from Sterling Nesbitt, Ph.D., a professor of paleobiology at Virginia Tech, who will speak on the origin of pterosaurs, and Jingmai O’Connor, Ph.D., the associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, who will speak on the origin of dinosaurian flight and the iconic fossil Archaeopteryx.

Beyond the many expert talks, visitors will get rare access into NHMU’s paleontology collections and Paleontology Fossil Preparation Lab for up-close looks at amazing fossils, and can engage with dinosaur-themed activities, enjoy learning opportunities from Utah-based paleontology partners, eat at the Jurassic Tacos Food Truck, and, for the first time, participate in DinoFest-themed workshops.

“We're excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of DinoFest, NHMU's signature public event that highlights the science of ancient life. Over the past decade, DinoFest has grown into one of the most highly anticipated family festivals in Utah, and we can't wait to explore the Prehistoric Skies with fossil fans of all ages,” said Jason Cryan, Ph.D., the Sarah B. George Executive Director of NHMU.

The event takes place on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. As always, DinoFest is included with museum admission, which is free for NHMU’s Museum Members, and tickets do sell out. Visitors are encouraged to visit nhmu.utah.edu/DinoFest to learn more, see a full lineup of speakers, activities, and workshops, and prebook their tickets. Workshops require additional fees.

About the Natural History Museum of Utah

The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the leading scientific research and cultural institutions in the country. Established in 1963, the museum’s 10 permanent exhibitions are anchored by its state-of-the-art collections and research facilities containing almost 2 million objects. These collections are used in studies on geological, biological, and cultural diversity, and the history of living systems and human cultures within the Utah region. The museum hosts approximately 300,000 general visitors a year and provides one of the most spectacular private event settings in the Salt Lake City area. NHMU also broadens the reach of its mission through a variety of science-based outreach programs to communities and schools throughout Utah, reaching every school district in the state every other year.