Museum of the Dead

Fri Oct 24 2025 at 08:00 pm to 11:00 pm UTC-04:00

500 University Ave, Rochester, NY, United States, New York 14607 | Rochester

Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester
Publisher/HostMemorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester
Museum of the Dead
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When you combine art, music, a costume contest, cocktails, fortune-telling, and food, you get a party you cannot miss! Sign up early for your chance to save on tickets to get in on more activities, more friends, more fun, more giveaways, and more scares this year.
Remember, there’s a $10 discount on general MOTD tickets bought before October 1! (Discount applied at checkout.)
Tarot Card Reading & Ghost Tours:
Timed-ticket alert! Be sure to sign up ahead of time to secure a time slot with our fortune-tellers or a ghost tour with Monroe County Paranormal Investigations. (There’s no additional cost to reserving a spot for a reading or a tour, but space for both is limited.)
The link to register for a tarot card reading slot or a ghost tour is shared in the confirmation email sent when you buy tickets.
Schedule of Events:
7:00–8:00 pm | VIP hour (SOLD OUT!)
7:00–11:00 pm | Food Trucks
Rob’s Kabobs
Rob’s Sweet Tooth
Eat Greek
Al Dente Mobile Pasta
8:00–10:00 pm | Museum Galleries open for exploration
8:15–9:45 pm | Tarot card reading (by registration) in Renaissance Gallery
8:30–10:00 pm | Organ concert in the Fountain Court
8:00–11:00 pm | Party in Cutler Union & Vanden Brul Pavilion
8:00–10:00 pm | Arts & Crafts in the M&T Bank Ballroom
8:00–11:00 pm | Movie: American Psycho, shown in the M&T Bank Ballroom
8:00–11:00 pm | Live DJ & Dancing, Step & Repeat Photo Op in the Vanden Brul Pavilion
8:10–10:35 pm | Ghost tours of Cutler Union with Monroe County Paranormal Investigations (by registration)
10:00 pm | Costume Contest winners announced in the Vanden Brul Pavilion
Costume Contest:
Throughout the night, there will be MAG employees walking around and inspecting everyone’s costumes. If your costume is above and beyond (which we’re sure it will be!), you will receive a card saying that you qualify to win. At 10:00 pm, everyone will gather in the Vanden Brul Pavilion and the DJ will announce the winners.
Winners will get great prizes from local businesses! Afraid we didn’t see you? Post a picture of you in your costume at MAG, tag us, and use #museumofthedead10.
COSTUME CONTEST CATEGORIES:
Best group
Best couple
Funniest
Most mind-blowing
Spookiest
Most inspired by MAG art
Guidelines:
We have some special guidelines to make sure this event is fun for everyone!
Please arrive with your proof of identification. This event is 21+ only, and we will be checking everyone’s ID at check-in.
Tickets will not be sold at the door. Make sure you and your friends get them early! Sales end on Friday, October 24, at 6:00 pm.
Please print your tickets or have them ready to be scanned on a mobile device upon arrival. This helps make check-in quick and easy!
Please be mindful of the props and substances used in your costume. To protect the works in our galleries we will have a place set up to check the following items before exploring the collection: swords, sabers, wings, spider legs, potions, broomsticks, feathers, sticky/slimy/wet/glittery substances. Please note: there may be additions to this list at the discretion of MAG staff.
Please leave weapons (costume or real—guns, knives, etc.), backpacks, and water bottles at home.
Please remember that MAG is a non-smoking campus. This includes smoking, vaping, and any recreational substances.
Please arrive by 9:30 pm. We want everyone to make the most of their time with us!
Please remember that there is no re-entry.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

500 University Ave, Rochester, NY, United States, New York 14607

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