On Friday, May 20, Teens Take The Met! will return to The Metropolitan Museum of Art

On Friday, May 20, Teens Take The Met! will return to The Metropolitan Museum of Art as an in-person event for the first time since November 2019, welcoming thousands of teens from New York’s five boroughs for a dynamic night of performances, hands-on activities, dancing, and giveaways. The event began in 2014 and encourages teens—many of whom are visiting The Met for the first time—to immerse themselves in participatory experiences while exploring the Museum. Following last year’s virtual program, which drew more than 18,000 participants from all over the world, this year’s event will be held on-site with 39 community partners. Teens Take The Met! is free for all teens (age 13 or older) with a middle school or high school ID.

To participate, teens will need a special-event wristband, which they can pick up upon arrival at either of the Museum’s two Fifth Avenue entrances (at 81st and 83rd Streets). Pop-up performances outside The Met, at 5 and 6:45 p.m. by the Susan E. Wagner High School Marching Band and at 6 p.m. by the Bard High School Early College Manhattan Panthers Step Team, will entertain guests during check-in. The wristbands will provide access to teen-only activities throughout the building.

A wide and engaging variety of interactive stations, performances, and activities have been created for the event, which includes free snacks and photo opportunities. Art making, hands-on learning, and thought-provoking discussions led by The Met and partner institutions will be scattered throughout the galleries. Highlights include: Latin social dance performances and demonstrations taught by Ballet Hispánico; a silent dance party in the Temple of Dendur; pop-up performances with the Youth Pride Chorus; and an Afrofuturism selfie station inspired by the Museum’s exhibition Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room.