Children’s Museum of Indianapolis updates iconic dinosaur figures ahead of Princess Tiana exhibit opening in March
A familiar landmark gets refreshed as the museum prepares for a major 2026 debut
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is updating the appearance of its prominent dinosaur figures as the institution prepares for the opening of a new, limited-run exhibition inspired by Disney’s Princess Tiana. The museum has scheduled “Tiana’s Joyful Celebration” to open to the public on March 7, 2026, with the run set to continue through early January 2027.
The adjustments to the dinosaur figures are part of a broader pattern at the museum: pairing long-running, science-focused environments—such as its dinosaur areas—with rotating, time-limited attractions designed to draw repeat visits and introduce new themes. The museum has positioned 2026 as a year of multiple exhibit updates and returning favorites, including a member preview event for the Tiana-themed exhibition on March 6.
What the Tiana-themed exhibition includes, and when it arrives
“Tiana’s Joyful Celebration” is described as a multi-sensory, hands-on environment centered on New Orleans culture and community celebration. The museum’s published schedule lists the exhibition dates as March 7, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027, with activities that include decorating parade floats, costume design play, food-themed interactive elements, music and dance components, and a staged moment featuring Mama Odie. The exhibition is recommended for children ages 6 to 10 and is planned as the first stop of a national traveling schedule after its Indianapolis engagement.
Public opening: March 7, 2026
Member preview: March 6, 2026
Closing date listed by the museum: Jan. 3, 2027
How dinosaurs fit into the museum’s current strategy
Dinosaurs remain a core, permanent draw at the museum through Dinosphere, which features immersive environments, real fossils, and visible paleontology work. In recent years, the museum has continued investing in dinosaur-related experiences, including expanded areas that highlight Jurassic-era discoveries connected to its ongoing fieldwork initiative in Wyoming known as the Jurassic Mile.
Within that context, giving high-visibility dinosaur figures a refreshed, themed look functions as a bridge between a permanent, science-centered identity and a temporary, story-driven exhibition rollout. For families, it also creates an immediate visual cue—before entering the building—that something new is arriving.
The museum’s current lineup pairs permanent natural history experiences with time-limited exhibitions, using seasonal and headline attractions to layer new content onto familiar spaces.
What visitors should watch for next
With the March 7 opening approaching, the most consequential operational details for visitors will be timing and access: opening-day crowd levels, how the new exhibition is integrated into general admission flow, and whether any adjacent areas are adjusted to accommodate demand. The museum has stated that admission to the Tiana exhibition is included with general admission.
Additional on-site visual updates—including the refreshed dinosaur look—are expected to be most noticeable as the museum moves from pre-opening promotion into the first weeks of public attendance in March 2026.