Dino Festival 2026
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Get ready to roar and explore your way through an unforgettable prehistoric adventure packed with jaw-dropping dinosaur fossils, towering life-size skeletons, and "oh-my!" models of some of the most legendary creatures ever to roam our planet! Budding paleontologists of all ages can pick the brains of renowned dinosaur experts, enjoy dino-themed crafts and activities, come face-to-face with animatronic dinosaurs, and receive a last-chance opportunity to explore the soon-to-be-extinct special exhibit, "The Age of Dinosaurs"! When your hunger takes over after a day of exploring paleontological paradise, be sure to stop by the outdoor Dino Dining District for its impressive lineup of food options, ranging from Chick-fil-A to Ello Gelato!
The adventure takes place during DINO FESTIVAL at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day! Scroll down to learn more!
[Conveniently located near the VA/NC border, the museum is an accessible and rewarding day trip destination for travelers from Roanoke, Lynchburg, and the New River Valley in Virginia, as well as the Triad, Triangle, and Charlotte in North Carolina — and all of the lovely points in between! Too far away for a day trip? Overnight it and enjoy the event both Friday and Saturday!]
LIFE-SIZE CAST SKELETONS, SKULLS & MODELS!
Dino Festival features an incredible array of dinosaur skeletons, skulls and models, including:
Tyrannosaurus rex
One of the most iconic dinosaurs of all time, T. rex was a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now western North America approximately 68 to 66 million years ago.
Triceratops
A large, plant-eating dinosaur distinguishable by its large frill and three horns that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, from approximately 68 to 66 million years ago
Stegosaurus
A large, plant-eating dinosaur distinguishable by two rows of bony plates on its back. It lived during the Late Jurassic period, from approximately 155 to 150 million years ago
Acrocanthosaurus
A massive, carnivorous theropod dinosaur that existed in what is now North America during the Early Cretaceous period, from approximately 125 million to 100 million years ago
Allosaurus
A large, carnivorous theropod dinosaur of the Late Jurassic period, from approximately 155 to 150 million years ago
Eoraptor
A deer-sized, carnivorous, theropod dinosaur that is one of the earliest known of the dinosaurs
Platecarpus Tympaniticus
A 17 foot long cast skeleton of a massive sea-going reptile that lived 81 to 84 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. This animal, a species of mosasaur, once swam in waters that covered what is now the central United States!
Dromaeosaurus (skull)
A medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur and a very close relative of the famous Velociraptor that lived in what is now the western United States and Alberta, Canada during the Late Cretaceous from approximately 77 to 74 million years ago
Albertosaurus (skull)
A genus of tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaurs that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous Period, from approximately 70 million years ago
Edmontosaurus (skull)
A genus of duck-billed dinosaur that lived in western North America during the Cretaceous Period approximately 73 to 66 million years ago.
Dunkleosteus (skull)
An armored fish from a group of fish called placoderms that lived approximately 360 to 380 million years ago.
Tylosaurus (skull)
A gigantic, sea-going relative of lizards, Tylosaurus was one of the biggest ocean predators ever to live. With a skull almost six feet long, a body over forty feet, and a mouth full of pointed teeth, it could pretty much eat whatever it wanted, from fish to other giant lizards.
DINO FOSSILS GALORE!
This year's event will feature an incredible diversity of dinosaur bones and footprints of all sizes, ranging from humungous sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs) to meat-eating theropod dinosaurs, and even armored (yes, armored!) dinosaurs! Dino Festival will also feature the fossils of ancient animals that lived alongside dinosaurs, from ancient crocodiles to the gliding reptile, Tanytrachelos! Renowned paleontologists will even be on hand to tell the stories of these amazing specimens and how scientists unearth fossils and bring them back to museums to study and preserve!
ANIMATRONIC FUN!
Dino Festival features animatronic displays of two of the most beloved dinosaurs of all time, including:
Dilophosaurus
A genus of large, predatory dinosaurs, Dilophosaurus lived in the Early Jurassic approximately 201 to 183 million years ago. No, this animatronic does not spit poison (nor did its real-life counterpart) as depicted in the original Jurassic Park movie.
Herrerasaurus
One of the first big dinosaur predators that lived 230 million years ago in South America.
FESTIVITIES ABOUND!
Face painting, balloon animals, food trucks, and a wide-variety of dino-themed crafts and activities will take place both days of the event! Be sure to stop by the Museum Store to browse the special collection of dino-themed items for sale! Oh, and make certain you capture a memory of your adventure at the Dino Fest Photo Booth...at no extra charge!
EXPERIENCE 'THE AGE OF DINOSAURS'!
Closing for good immediately following Dino Festival, this special exhibit allows visitors to adventure into an age when dinosaurs ruled the earth! Experience an incredible diversity of dinosaur fossils, cast skeletons and skulls, as well as exciting animatronic dinosaur displays and interactive elements (fossil dig pit, anyone?), as you learn the fascinating story of dinosaurs and the role paleontologists play in providing our current understanding of these incredible animals!
DINO DINING DISTRICT!
Dino Festival will feature a wide variety of food and drink options. Vendors and food trucks scheduled to be on-site include:
* Bahama Sno-Shack
* Chick-fil-a
* D's Hot/Ice
* Ello Gelato
* Jen's Cakes with Personality
* Kona Ice
* MalloyDogz
* Palumbo's Hoagie House
* Smokin' Blaze BBQ
ADMISSION IS ONLY...
* $15/Ages 18-59
* $10/Ages 3-17, seniors 60+, and college students
* FREE for children under 3
* FREE for VMNH Members
* FREE for members of ASTC Passport participating institutions
* FREE for military families who present military ID
* FREE for EBT cardholders who present their EBT card & official photo ID
Free admission for EBT cardholders is valid for the cardholder (from any state) and up to 5 immediate family members living within the same household as the cardholder. Free admission for military families (active or retired) requires military ID. Members of ASTC Passport participating institutions must provide their membership card to receive free admission. Groupons will be accepted. Friday attendees who wish to experience the festival again on Saturday may do so at no extra charge. Please note that while admission includes access to all exhibit galleries, many regular exhibit displays will not be accessible due to the special dinosaur awesomeness.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO...
* All listed offerings and information may be subject to change.
* This event takes place indoors and outdoors.
* Parking will be available off-site and free of charge.
* A parking map/directions will be listed prior to the event.
* Paying attendees on Friday will be allowed to experience the event again on Saturday at no additional charge.
DINO FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY...
* Atlantic Union Bank
* Bassett Furniture Industries
* Brightspeed
* Carter Bank
* Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia
* Hooker Furnishings
* Renewal by Andersen of Roanoke
* Virginia Tourism Corporation
[Special thanks to The Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust for its continued, long-standing support of all museum festivals!]
FREE ADMISSION FOR EBT CARDHOLDERS MADE POSSIBLE BY...
* Hooker Furnishings
* Carter Bank
* Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia
FREE ADMISSION FOR MILITARY FAMILIES MADE POSSIBLE BY...
* Blue Star Families
The adventure takes place during DINO FESTIVAL at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day! Scroll down to learn more!
[Conveniently located near the VA/NC border, the museum is an accessible and rewarding day trip destination for travelers from Roanoke, Lynchburg, and the New River Valley in Virginia, as well as the Triad, Triangle, and Charlotte in North Carolina — and all of the lovely points in between! Too far away for a day trip? Overnight it and enjoy the event both Friday and Saturday!]
LIFE-SIZE CAST SKELETONS, SKULLS & MODELS!
Dino Festival features an incredible array of dinosaur skeletons, skulls and models, including:
Tyrannosaurus rex
One of the most iconic dinosaurs of all time, T. rex was a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now western North America approximately 68 to 66 million years ago.
Triceratops
A large, plant-eating dinosaur distinguishable by its large frill and three horns that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, from approximately 68 to 66 million years ago
Stegosaurus
A large, plant-eating dinosaur distinguishable by two rows of bony plates on its back. It lived during the Late Jurassic period, from approximately 155 to 150 million years ago
Acrocanthosaurus
A massive, carnivorous theropod dinosaur that existed in what is now North America during the Early Cretaceous period, from approximately 125 million to 100 million years ago
Allosaurus
A large, carnivorous theropod dinosaur of the Late Jurassic period, from approximately 155 to 150 million years ago
Eoraptor
A deer-sized, carnivorous, theropod dinosaur that is one of the earliest known of the dinosaurs
Platecarpus Tympaniticus
A 17 foot long cast skeleton of a massive sea-going reptile that lived 81 to 84 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. This animal, a species of mosasaur, once swam in waters that covered what is now the central United States!
Dromaeosaurus (skull)
A medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur and a very close relative of the famous Velociraptor that lived in what is now the western United States and Alberta, Canada during the Late Cretaceous from approximately 77 to 74 million years ago
Albertosaurus (skull)
A genus of tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaurs that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous Period, from approximately 70 million years ago
Edmontosaurus (skull)
A genus of duck-billed dinosaur that lived in western North America during the Cretaceous Period approximately 73 to 66 million years ago.
Dunkleosteus (skull)
An armored fish from a group of fish called placoderms that lived approximately 360 to 380 million years ago.
Tylosaurus (skull)
A gigantic, sea-going relative of lizards, Tylosaurus was one of the biggest ocean predators ever to live. With a skull almost six feet long, a body over forty feet, and a mouth full of pointed teeth, it could pretty much eat whatever it wanted, from fish to other giant lizards.
DINO FOSSILS GALORE!
This year's event will feature an incredible diversity of dinosaur bones and footprints of all sizes, ranging from humungous sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs) to meat-eating theropod dinosaurs, and even armored (yes, armored!) dinosaurs! Dino Festival will also feature the fossils of ancient animals that lived alongside dinosaurs, from ancient crocodiles to the gliding reptile, Tanytrachelos! Renowned paleontologists will even be on hand to tell the stories of these amazing specimens and how scientists unearth fossils and bring them back to museums to study and preserve!
ANIMATRONIC FUN!
Dino Festival features animatronic displays of two of the most beloved dinosaurs of all time, including:
Dilophosaurus
A genus of large, predatory dinosaurs, Dilophosaurus lived in the Early Jurassic approximately 201 to 183 million years ago. No, this animatronic does not spit poison (nor did its real-life counterpart) as depicted in the original Jurassic Park movie.
Herrerasaurus
One of the first big dinosaur predators that lived 230 million years ago in South America.
FESTIVITIES ABOUND!
Face painting, balloon animals, food trucks, and a wide-variety of dino-themed crafts and activities will take place both days of the event! Be sure to stop by the Museum Store to browse the special collection of dino-themed items for sale! Oh, and make certain you capture a memory of your adventure at the Dino Fest Photo Booth...at no extra charge!
EXPERIENCE 'THE AGE OF DINOSAURS'!
Closing for good immediately following Dino Festival, this special exhibit allows visitors to adventure into an age when dinosaurs ruled the earth! Experience an incredible diversity of dinosaur fossils, cast skeletons and skulls, as well as exciting animatronic dinosaur displays and interactive elements (fossil dig pit, anyone?), as you learn the fascinating story of dinosaurs and the role paleontologists play in providing our current understanding of these incredible animals!
DINO DINING DISTRICT!
Dino Festival will feature a wide variety of food and drink options. Vendors and food trucks scheduled to be on-site include:
* Bahama Sno-Shack
* Chick-fil-a
* D's Hot/Ice
* Ello Gelato
* Jen's Cakes with Personality
* Kona Ice
* MalloyDogz
* Palumbo's Hoagie House
* Smokin' Blaze BBQ
ADMISSION IS ONLY...
* $15/Ages 18-59
* $10/Ages 3-17, seniors 60+, and college students
* FREE for children under 3
* FREE for VMNH Members
* FREE for members of ASTC Passport participating institutions
* FREE for military families who present military ID
* FREE for EBT cardholders who present their EBT card & official photo ID
Free admission for EBT cardholders is valid for the cardholder (from any state) and up to 5 immediate family members living within the same household as the cardholder. Free admission for military families (active or retired) requires military ID. Members of ASTC Passport participating institutions must provide their membership card to receive free admission. Groupons will be accepted. Friday attendees who wish to experience the festival again on Saturday may do so at no extra charge. Please note that while admission includes access to all exhibit galleries, many regular exhibit displays will not be accessible due to the special dinosaur awesomeness.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO...
* All listed offerings and information may be subject to change.
* This event takes place indoors and outdoors.
* Parking will be available off-site and free of charge.
* A parking map/directions will be listed prior to the event.
* Paying attendees on Friday will be allowed to experience the event again on Saturday at no additional charge.
DINO FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY...
* Atlantic Union Bank
* Bassett Furniture Industries
* Brightspeed
* Carter Bank
* Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia
* Hooker Furnishings
* Renewal by Andersen of Roanoke
* Virginia Tourism Corporation
[Special thanks to The Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust for its continued, long-standing support of all museum festivals!]
FREE ADMISSION FOR EBT CARDHOLDERS MADE POSSIBLE BY...
* Hooker Furnishings
* Carter Bank
* Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia
FREE ADMISSION FOR MILITARY FAMILIES MADE POSSIBLE BY...
* Blue Star Families
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Where is it happening?
Virginia Museum of Natural History, 21 Starling Ave,Martinsville,VA,United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherVirginia Museum of Natural History
