Looking for a FREE indoor activity in Detroit this week? The Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is opening its doors for two FREE Community Days during Concert of Colors 2026, giving families the perfect chance to explore one of Metro Detroit’s best museums at no cost.

On Thursday, July 16th and Friday, July 17th, visitors can enjoy FREE general admission at the Michigan Science Center and experience special Concert of Colors programming that celebrates music, culture, and creativity. These free days are part of Detroit’s annual Concert of Colors, the city’s beloved multicultural music festival that fills Midtown with performances and family-friendly activities.

Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center is one of Metro Detroit’s top family destinations, with more than 220 hands-on exhibits spread across multiple floors that encourage kids to touch, build, experiment, and discover. Every gallery is designed to make science fun through interactive play, making it easy for children of all ages to learn while having an unforgettable day.

Little ones will love Kids Town, a recently reimagined space designed especially for children ages 5 and under. Kids can splash at the water table, care for animals in a pretend veterinary clinic, shop at a miniature market, perform on a theater stage, tinker in a STEAM lab, and explore sensory-friendly spaces built just for early learners.

Older kids can blast off in the Space Gallery, where they’ll learn about rockets, the solar system, Mars exploration, and the future of human space travel. Budding inventors won’t want to miss the Smithsonian Spark!Lab, an interactive makerspace where families work together to solve challenges, design inventions, and think like real engineers.

Want to make your visit even more memorable? Upgrade your experience with a show in the planetarium, catch a film in the 4D theater, or explore the museum’s current special exhibition for an additional fee. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring Mi-Sci together.

Concert of Colors Returns to Midtown

Concert of Colors is one of Detroit’s biggest summer traditions, featuring five days of FREE international music, cultural performances, food, and family activities at venues throughout Midtown, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Michigan Science Center, Detroit Public Library, and more.

The festival runs July 15–19, 2026, making it easy to pair a free visit to Mi-Sci with live music and other nearby attractions.

The following activities will be hosted on both Thursday, July 16th and Friday, July 17th at the Michigan Science Center:

  • Arts & Scraps: Family creative fun from 10am to 4pm
  • Timothy Orikri: Live art experience from 10am to 4pm
  • Marca & Reg Pettibone: Indigenous dance workshop at 12pm
  • Lisa Montes: Flamenco dance workshop at 2pm

Event Details

  • Address: 5020 John R Street, Detroit
  • FREE Admission Days: Thursday, July 16 & Friday, July 17, 2026
  • Tickets: General admission is FREE but pre-registration is encouraged