Established in 1976, the Don Harrington Discovery Center will be celebrating 50 years of discoveries in the year of 2026. With state-of-the-art traveling dinosaur exhibits, the return of special events such as the Labor Day Weekend celebration Discover! 5.0 and their Mad Scientist Ball, and regular showings of the famous Pink Floyd Laser Light show in their immersive Space Theater, their 50th anniversary will be one to remember.
Community members are encouraged to plan their 50th anniversary visit, as there’s sure to be crowds. Become a member to save with unlimited admission, discounts on birthday parties, and discounted camp registration included in your Discovery Center Collective membership.
Discover the Dinos at DHDC
Three traveling exhibits will be on display at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, dubbing their 50th anniversary “The Year of the Dinos.” From February through May, guests will see Dinosaurs in Motion. From May through September, Amarillo Medical Center visitors will see DHDC’s exterior surrounded by Dinosaurs Around the World. From September through January, DHDC will have Dinosaurs in Ice on display, showcasing groundbreaking findings of dinosaurs that called frozen tundras home.
Highlights
DHDC shook things up and put a twist on Beerology with a new addition: Mixology! With all the same fun as Beerology, this 21+ only event took guests on a spin as they went through the science of beer while adding liquor to the mix through hands-on (and glasses up) experiences and adults-only fun.
A Labor Day Weekend tradition started in the 1980s, Discover! 5.0 is a high-energy outdoor festival set for September 5, 2026 at the Discovery Center. This special event is our way of saying thank you for 50 incredible years of supporting science in the Panhandle.
Enjoy a full day of hands-on science fun with activity booths hosted by local businesses and organizations, exciting science demos by our Discovery Center team, live music, and delicious food trucks. The night will end with a spectacular outdoor drone show set to live music from the Amarillo Symphony—an unforgettable way to cap off five decades of discovery.
The Mad Scientist Ball is back for our 50th Anniversary! Join us on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for an evening of curious experiments, wild entertainment, and brainy fun — all to support another 50 years of discoveries at the Don Harrington Discovery Center.
This is not your typical gala. Expect hands-on science, unexpected surprises, and a whole lot of discovery-fueled fun.
Costumes and lab coats encouraged. Stay tuned for more details!
Commemorate the Don Harrington Discovery Center’s 50th anniversary by joining our “50 for 50” fundraising campaign! An investment of $5, $15, or $50 a month will directly support our science demonstrations, outreach programs, and exhibits for the 427,927 people of the Texas Panhandle and beyond.
Whether you’re able to support us through monetary donations, volunteer opportunities, a Discovery Center Collective membership, or simply attending our events, you are a vital part of our community.
Here’s to another 50 years of discoveries!
For businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities during DHDC’s milestone year, please reach out to [email protected]. Deals for sponsorsing multiple events are available.
Organizations interested in trade opportunities or attending events as community outreach partners should reach out to [email protected].