Your Wedding at the Museum of Science

Perhaps more than any occasion, weddings reflect personality, and every couple makes choices that are uniquely their own. Offering a matchless riverfront location, the Museum of Science presents a complete range of options for your special day. An inspired setting is essential, and couples may choose from an array of unique indoor venues, or opt for our open-air riverfront Washburn Pavilion.

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Just for You

The Museum is full of creative possibilities. If you’d like the elegance of traditional décor, we can provide it. If you’d like a fun and whimsical theme that reflects your individuality, we can provide it. If you’d like a combination of both, we have that too.

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Museum Sales Manager

Offering expertise, support, and advice, your sales manager helps you to sort through the myriad of options and make recommendations as needed, whether it be determining the ideal space, or selecting a reputable vendor based on the Museum’s extensive local contacts.

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Custom Reception

Custom receptions are our specialty. Partnering with MAX Ultimate Food, we combine a flair for quality and sophistication with the ability to carry out fanciful touches and unique details. We have events down to a science!

Questions or Ideas?

Our team is here to support your perfect day.

Stunning Spaces to Tie the Knot

Host a wedding like no other with our unique and unforgettable venue options.

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Blue Wing Exhibit Halls

Capacity: 250-400 Guests

This true ‘Night at the Museum’ experience encloses three levels of galleries wrapped around a central open atrium. A revolving array of exhibit components creates a unique and dynamic atmosphere for guests, while soaring ceilings and expansive spaces provide a touch of grandeur. Available for evening rental only.

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Skyline Room

Capacity: 80-150 Guests

Sitting on the 6th floor of the Museum, this breathtaking space offers sweeping views of the iconic Boston and Cambridge city skylines through two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. The Skyline Room boasts a one-of-a-kind sunset city view. By night, the sparkling mosaic of city lights provides a dramatic backdrop.

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Washburn Pavilion

Capacity: 150 - 250 Guests

This hidden gem offers a beautiful, historic open-air pavilion that predates the Museum itself and is the only dedicated event space located directly on the Charles River. Just steps from the water, the Washburn Pavilion boasts refreshing breezes, shady trees, and wonderful views of the Longfellow Bridge. This space includes a semi-permanent tent, a covered patio, and grassy areas. The Washburn Pavilion is available for both daytime and evening events.

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Museum Buyout

Capacity: Up to 4,500 Guests

Make the Museum of Science your backdrop for an event your guests will remember for a lifetime. A full-venue buyout affords you access to all our public and private event spaces, as well as the Exhibit Halls within our iconic museum campus. Host an elegant dinner in our lobby followed by the vibrancy of the Blue Wing, or enjoy seasonal stargazing in our one-of-a-kind Washburn Pavilion and Tent.

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Hall of Human Life

Capacity: 60 - 150 Guests

The Hall of Human Life features more than 70 interactive components and aims to revolutionize how guests engage with their own biology and manage their health. This ever-evolving exhibit space is a perfect location in combination with either the Skyline Room or d’Arbeloff Suite for a cocktail reception or a small intimate reception and dinner.

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New England Habitats

Capacity: 50 - 80 Guests

Transport yourself to New England’s natural environment, featuring windows into the most wide- ranging, picturesque of landscapes. This rustic exhibit is an engaging experience for all curious guests. These earthy representations serve as a built-in arcadian motif for any event or cocktail hour. 

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Atrium and Foyer

Capacity: 130 - 180 Guests

Nestled in the Red Wing of the Museum, the Atrium and Foyer serves as the perfect backdrop for a one-of- a-kind cocktail reception or dinner. Guests can mingle before enjoying an evening of stargazing in our Charles Hayden Planetarium or experiencing a larger-than-life film in our five-story-high Mugar Omni Theater. Guests might even get to enjoy a trip on our piano stairs on their way in or out of the theater.

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D'Arbeloff Suite

Capacity: 40 - 160 Guests

Natural light streams through the windows on both sides of this ideal meeting space, which offers incredible views of the Bunker Hill Monument, Zakim Bridge, Esplanade, and city of Boston. A private balcony, ideal for evening cocktails, adds an outdoor element that allows for fresh air and spectacular stargazing.

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A rendering of the Public Science Common, set up for a wedding ceremony.

Public Science Common

Opening Fall 2026
Capacity: 150 - 700 Guests

A 10,000-square-foot, high-impact destination on the Charles River—where panoramic skyline views meet immersive technology and limitless possibility. Designed to flex, transform, and inspire, this is not just a venue. It’s a canvas for the unforgettable.

Max Ultimate Food

MAX’s culinary team has a reputation for creativity, innovation, and style, second to none. MAX Ultimate Food doesn’t simply create events, it delivers experiences. The health and well-being of your guests and the greater community is paramount in all they do. Menus are curated using seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and providers wherever possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I host just my wedding ceremony on-site?

The Museum of Science requires a food and beverage component for all our weddings on-site.

What is the rain plan for an outdoor event?

We can still host your event outdoors even if it is raining. We lend all guests golf-size umbrellas to get them out to the pavilion. Once in this area, your guests will be protected underneath our covered Washburn Pavilion & Tent.

Is there more than one wedding taking place at the same time?

There could be! But the venue spaces are separate with their own bathrooms and dedicated event teams. We make our best effort to stagger the start times of all our events.

What is the deposit schedule?

You will have two separate contracts. One with the Museum of Science, and one with Max Ultimate Food. Both require a separate 50% deposit at the time of booking.

Is there off-season discounted pricing?

We do not have off-season pricing; however, we do offer a discounted rate for Sundays vs. Wednesday – Saturday.

Is there free parking for my guests?

Yes! We validate parking for all guests and vendors on wedding day.

Are there any other perks to event rentals?

Yes! A Basic 2 membership to the Museum, valid for one year. Please come back and explore our Exhibit Halls and all that we have to offer.

Enhancements for your Perfect Day

Small touches to your special day can make all the difference. Let us handle the details for you, by enhancing your wedding with any of the following. 

Based on availability, pricing furnished upon request.

  • Clear Lectern
  • Wireless Up lights
  • Clear glass votives (large and small)
  • Giant Jenga
  • Cornhole
  • Clear acrylic card box
  • Gold frame table numbers
  • Gold card stock table numbers
  • Silver table numbers
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