What's on

Explore humanity's stories through our on-site exhibitions, displays, events and more.

Looking to explore the museum from your sofa? We are committed to expanding our offering beyond the museum's walls, so keep an eye out for digital resources, virtual exhibitions and more within these pages, or follow us on social media for much more!

Exhibitions

Moving Objects: stories from behind the scenes at the museum

Li Ka Shing Gallery
28 March 2026 to 20 December 2026

Explore the stories behind a fascinating selection of objects cared for by the museum from the people who have worked with them over the years.

A clay pot with a grumpy expression and arms for handles. Text reads "Moving Objects: stories from behind the scenes at the museum, 28 March - 20 December 2026".

Temporary displays

Contemporary Gweagal spears by Rod Mason

Maudslay Gallery

In dialogue with the new display of Kamay spears now open at the Chau Chak Wing Museum in Sydney, a new display is now open at MAA of three contemporary spears, made by Senior Elder of the Gweagla Clan, Dharawal Nation, Rod Mason.

A gallery shot of the new spears display, showing three spears against a wooden stand. The Maudslay gallery and various cases and objects are visible behind it.

Permanent displays

People & Stuff: A Subversive Collaboration

Andrews Gallery

Staff, academics, and visitors have been adding their graffiti contributions to our large-scale collaborative painting, representing their understanding of the collections, how they got here, and what they mean to them.

A plaster cast of a Maya carving depicting two figures. The wall around it is painted green onto which graffiti images have been added including a brightly coloured bird, a skeleton wearing a large hat and an owl with a red line over its eyes.

This vibrant project seeks to map relationships between the past, ourselves, artefacts and places. 

The Sensational Museum at MAA

Andrews Gallery
A child's hands touch a replica of a terracotta vessel consisting of two globular chambers with a spout in the centre and a moulded parrot's head at one end.

We are working with a small team of people with lived experiences of disability to develop a multi-sensory display as part of The Sensational Museum project.

Pacific Currents: New Displays from Oceania in the World Anthropology Gallery

Pacific Currents showcases MAA’s exceptional and wide-ranging Oceanic collections, which originate from throughout the Pacific and date from the late 18th century to the present day.

Events and workshops

MAA LATE

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
10 July 2026, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Three pairs of hands take part in a printing activity around a table in the museum galleries.

Join us for an evening celebrating our new exhibition alongside the opening of an exciting co-curated reimagining of the museum's African collections.

 

Music at MAA: Cambridge Takht

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Rescheduled: 12 July 2026, 7:00 - 8:00pm

A group of six musicians stand in a line. Two hold percussion instruments whilst three others hold string instruments.

An early evening concert in the museum's galleries featuring a vibrant and dynamic performance of Arabic music.

Summer at the Museums: Moved by Objects at the CMC

Centre for Material Culture
22 July, and 6 August 2026, 2:00 - 4:00pm

Illustrations of children playing with dinosaurs, building blocks, and a model volcano. Text reads 'Summer at the Museums, fun family days out in Cambridge and beyond'.

This summer join us at our off-site store for two afternoons full of puzzles, challenges, and crafts. These free drop-in sessions must be pre-booked and will take place on:

22 July 2026

6 August 2026

 

Summer at the Museums: Moved by Objects at MAA

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
23 and 30 July, and 5 and 12 August 2026, 2:00 - 4:00pm

Illustrations of children playing with dinosaurs, building blocks, and a model volcano. Text reads 'Summer at the Museums, fun family days out in Cambridge and beyond'.

This summer join us in the museum galleries for four afternoons full of puzzles, challenges, and crafts. These free drop-in sessions will take place on:

23 July 2026

30 July 2026

5 August 2026

12 August 2026

 

Music at MAA: Vox Cantab

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
23 July 2026, 7:00 - 8:00pm
A group of 12 people stand in front of an altar and large stained-glass window.

An early evening concert in the museum's galleries performed by a chamber choir consisting mainly of Cambridge University students and alumni.

 

MAA Centre for Material Culture LATE

Centre for Material Culture
13 August 2026, 6:15pm - 8:00pm

Visitors to the museum's off-site store gather around a table looking down at and photographing objects which have been brought out for them.

Join us at the Centre for Material Culture for an evening inspired by our latest exhibition.

 

Cambridgeshire finds - Archaeology Workshop

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
11 September 2026, 10:15am - 1:00pm
A visitor stands in the local archaeology gallery looking at a case containing Roman finds, including metal figurines, pots, pieces of wall painting and jewellery.

Join Dr Jody Joy as he shares some of his favourite objects from the local area and discusses what insights they reveal into people's lives.

 

Woven Histories: Discovering Pre-Columbian Textiles

Centre for Material Culture
18 September 2026, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Part of an embroidered band decorated with lizard-like creatures. The band is reddish-pink in colour and the decoration uses black, green and cream thread.

Join Dr Jimena Lobog Guererro Arenas to discover the artistry and ingenuity of ancient Peru through a selection of Pre-Columbian textiles.

 

'Take a line for a Walk' : A Sketchbook Session

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
1 October 2026, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
A series of watercolour and sketches depicting animal hide boots.

Join us for an evening of sketching in the atmospheric setting of the museum galleries

Two Kiribati Dancers performing at the opening for the Pacific Currents exhibition

Kiribati Dancers Krista Dixon and Chloe Karea at the opening for the exhibition Pacific Currents. 5 July 2018. Photography by Josh Murfitt. 

Past Events

Details of past events at MAA can be found on our Past Events page