The days after New Year’s are often the quietest ones. The celebrations fade, winter settles in, and families begin looking for moments that feel warm, thoughtful, and shared. On Friday, January 2, 2026, the National Hellenic Museum, located at 333 South Halsted Street in Chicago, offers exactly that with an afternoon program that invites visitors to look up, slow down, and reconnect with stories written in the winter sky.
“Star Gazing, Constellation Mapping, and Greek Myths” is a hands-on event that brings together astronomy, mythology, and art. Held from 1:00 to 2:30 PM, the program takes place just after the Winter Solstice, the point in the year when the Northern Hemisphere experiences its shortest and darkest days. For ancient Greeks, this moment carried deep meaning, and the night sky became a space where stories, seasons, and human experience came together.
Rather than approaching constellations as abstract diagrams, the program explores how they were once understood as narratives. Long before telescopes and modern star charts, people looked to the sky to tell stories about gods, heroes, animals, and fate. Those stories helped explain the world, mark the passing of time, and offer comfort during long winter nights.
At the center of the workshop is the Winter Triangle, a seasonal formation made up of three of the brightest stars visible this time of year: Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Procyon. Participants will learn how these stars appear in the winter sky and how they connect to Greek mythological figures, particularly through the constellation of Orion and the stories associated with him. The discussion blends basic astronomy with mythology in a way that is accessible for children while still engaging for adults.
After exploring the stars and their stories, the program turns from observation to creation. Participants will map constellations and their mythic imagery onto canvas, creating a personal piece of artwork to take home. The activity is designed to feel relaxed and collaborative, allowing families to learn and create together without the structure of a formal classroom.
The event is open to all ages, though children under 14 must attend with a parent or guardian. It is part of the museum’s ongoing family programming, which aims to make Greek history and culture approachable, interactive, and relevant to everyday life.
Event details
Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
Time: 1:00–2:30 PM
Location: National Hellenic Museum, 333 South Halsted Street, Chicago
Pricing
Members: $10 per adult, $8 per child
Non-members: $12 per adult, $10 per child
Beyond the afternoon itself, the program reflects the broader role the National Hellenic Museum plays within Chicago’s Greek-American community. Through events like this, the museum connects ancient history with present-day experience, creating spaces where families can learn, create, and share cultural memory together.
As daylight slowly begins its return after the solstice, participants will leave not only with a canvas in hand but with a renewed sense of how ancient stories once helped people navigate the darkest days of the year and how those same stories can still bring people together today.
Registration is available through Eventbrite for those wishing to reserve a spot.
Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending, as dates, times, locations, and registration information may change.