Events for Adults
Grown-ups need to play, too! The art-filled, creative environment that Madison Children’s Museum creates for kids also inspires adults and we’re pleased to offer special events designed for either adults-only or the whole family.
Upcoming Events for Adults
Adult Swim
Play like a grown-up—crawling, sliding, crafting, and dancing their way through the museum. Count on plenty of arts & crafts, music, and a specially-themed drink or two. Adult Swim parties occur several times a year, each with its own unique, photo-worthy theme. From Steampunk to Prohibition, Science Soirees to Prom, the topics and fun are endless.
Adult Swim is ONLY for adults age 21+. ID must be shown at the door. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the event. Tickets are available usually 2 months ahead of time and frequently sell out.
Please note, there is no pool or literal swimming at Adult Swim. Also, it’s not at all affiliated with ADULT SWIM, the television and entertainment network.
Live from the Wonderground
Live from the Wonderground brings music, dancing, food, and drinks for all ages to downtown Madison’s most creative play space, the Wonderground.
This free first-Friday concert series features local bands, drinks, light snacks, and fresh air fun. Events take place from 5 to 8 pm, with bands performing two sets from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. In between sets, “A Drop in the Bucket” features a unique mini-set performed in the Wonderground’s iconic Giant Bucket.
Kids are welcome at Live from the Wonderground, but not required! Enjoy a cash bar with grown-up beverages and non-alcoholic options, and munch on crowd-favorite snacks available for purchase.
Admission for Live from the Wonderground is free. You may choose to provide a donation at the door, but donations are not required. Proceeds benefit the work of Madison Children’s Museum and allow us to bring more accessible programming to our community. All tickets are at the door, no advance registration is needed.
Learn more about Live from the Wonderground.
Upcoming Live from the Wonderground concerts:
Drama in the Wonderground
Summer 2026 Season
Madison Shakespeare Company presents: Edward the Fourth
Save the dates! June 19-20, 26-28 performances in the Wonderground. Friday shows begin at 7 pm; Saturday-Sunday shows begin at 6 pm.
Madison Shakespeare Company returns to MCM to stage five evenings of Thomas Heywood’s Edward the Fourth, with the Wonderground climber taking center stage—literally. It might not exactly be the set envisioned by the infamous playwright, but Elizabethan London lacked our exhibits team.
This event is suggested for adults and mature teens.
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 on the day of the show.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Wonderground and hope you enjoy the show!
Food and drink: cash (& cards) bar with a variety of alcoholic and NA beverages and light snacks. You are welcome to bring a water bottle. Smoking and vaping are not permitted on the premises.
Accessibility & comfort: the Wonderground space has accessible single use/family restrooms, a drinking fountain and water bottle filling station. The performance takes place outdoors; please dress for the weather and take any needed precautions for heat, rain, etc. Our seating plan is flexible, and we will be able to adjust seats to accommodate any members of your group using a wheelchair or other mobility device.
Weather: we (MCM and MSC) will make every effort to complete each performance as planned. The performance will go on in a light rain, as long as the actors and audience are safe. If we need to hold the performance to allow for weather to pass, there is a sheltered area in the Wonderground where audience members can wait. If there is potential for severe weather, we will make a go/no-go call no later than two hours before curtain. Check for updates on the MCM website and Facebook page (we will only post updates in the event of delay or cancellation). Umbrellas will be permitted only at the back of the audience seating, in spaces where other audience members’ visibility will not be blocked. We will have a limited supply of rain ponchos available.
In the event of a cancellation or partial cancellation, ticket purchasers will have the option of a full refund or a ticket transfer for another performance (pending availability). Requests will be handled in the order received.
