NEWSLETTER
This year’s celebration expands to feature more programs, fan events, live music, puppetry workshop, and special guests—all anchored by The Jim Henson Exhibition
New exclusive MoMI merchandise commemorating the occasion will be available
Astoria, New York, August 20, 2026 — Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI), home of The Jim Henson Exhibition, will commemorate Jim Henson’s birthday (September 24, 1936) with a special four-day celebration, September 24–27, in honor of what would have been his 90th year. This fun, long weekend for fans of all ages features a slew of special guests, screenings, puppet workshops, a collectible swap meet, live music in the courtyard, and more!
Anchoring the MoMI weekend is The Jim Henson Exhibition, a dynamic experience exploring Henson’s groundbreaking work for film and television and his transformative impact on culture, where the public can come face-to-face with 50 beloved characters from the worlds of The Muppet Show, the Muppet movies, Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street, and other productions released during Henson’s lifetime. The Museum will offer daily guided tours over the weekend (advance tickets available).
Among the highlights of the Jim Henson Birthday Celebration are numerous free fan events ranging from a Puppet Prom featuring a DJ and dancing with mask-making activities; showcases of fan-created art inspired by Jim Henson, plus live artist demonstrations; a collectibles “Swa(m)p Meet” featuring guest vendors; a costume contest; live music in the courtyard; and more.
Among the special guests will be puppeteer and performer Stacey Gordon (Julia on Sesame Street), who will lead the “Puppet Tea Party,” an interactive workshop for all ages; Kate Micucci (Duck Tales, Scooby-Doo, Garfunkel and Oates, The Big Bang Theory) as celebrity judge of the costume contest; Henson performers Martin P. Robinson, Ryan Dillon, Stephanie D’Abruzzo, John Tartaglia, and Peter Linz on the “Inspired by Jim Henson” panel; Fred Buchholz, Jason Weber, Rollie Krewson, Bonnie Erickson, and Lara MacLean on the "Inside Jim Henson’s Creature Shop” panel, a live podcast taping with the long-running fan site ToughPigs; and an interactive song circle headed up by renowned Community Song Leader Dodie Whitaker.
Other programs include a 60th anniversary screening of Time Piece, Jim Henson’s Oscar-nominated 1976 short, and presentation by Karen Falk, Archives Director of The Jim Henson Company; The American Banjo Museum presents a Henson Sing-Along with Lucas Ross; The Muppet Show: 50 Greatest Moments, hosted by Craig Shemin, President of The Jim Henson Legacy and guest programmer of the Museum’s ongoing Jim Henson’s World screening series; and more.
On Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26, Heather Henson and friends will offer a Sing-Along & Stroll-Along tour through Manhattan, leading to the Museum in Queens (very limited tickets are available).
Tickets and reservations for Celebrating Jim Henson’s Birthday 2026 are available online at movingimage.org/series/jim-hensons-birthday-2026. Additional programs will be added as they are confirmed.
Please note that many programs are free as part of the Museum’s Open Worlds 2026 programming; some require advance RSVPs. Other programs require ticket purchase; advance tickets are available online. Tickets may also be requested on the day of the event (included with Museum admission; available first-come, first-served). As some programs may sell out, we recommend securing a program ticket, then adding on Museum admission when you arrive.
In celebration of this milestone year, MoMI and The Jim Henson Company have collaborated on an exclusive, limited-edition merchandise collection, available both in-store and online at the launch of the celebration. The collection will feature a range of special items available in limited quantities. Stay tuned for more details.
Celebrating Jim Henson’s Birthday 2026 is presented in partnership with the Green Feather Foundation, the Jim Henson Legacy, and ToughPigs. Free programs are presented as part of MoMI’s Open Worlds initiative, with the support of Bank of America, William Fox, Jr. Foundation; New York State Council on the Arts; New York City Council; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.
SCHEDULE FOR ‘CELEBRATING JIM HENSON’S BIRTHDAY 2026,’ SEP. 24–27
Thursday, September 24
2:00–6:00 p.m. Free admission to Museum galleries
2:00–6:00 p.m. Henson Fan Art showcase (free admission)
2:30–6:00 p.m. The Muppet Show: The Very Best Episodes (free with RSVP; limited space)
4:00 p.m. Guided tour of The Jim Henson Exhibition (ticket required)
6:00–9:00 p.m. Puppet Prom (free with RSVP; limited space)
7:00 p.m. Special program to be announced (Redstone Theater)
Friday, September 25
2:00 p.m. Sing-Along & Stroll-Along with Heather Henson (offsite) (ticket required)
2:00–8:00 p.m. Henson Fan Art showcase (free admission)
2:30–6:30 p.m. The Muppet Show: The Very Best Episodes (free with RSVP; limited space)
4:00 p.m. Guided tour of The Jim Henson Exhibition (ticket required)
6:30 p.m. Special program to be announced (Redstone Theater)
Saturday, September 26
10:00 a.m. Sing-Along & Stroll-Along with Heather Henson (offsite) (ticket required)
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Collectibles Swa(m)p Meet (free admission)
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Puppet Tea Party with Stacey Gordon (free with RSVP; limited space)
12:00 p.m. 60 Years of Jim Henson’s Time Piece (ticket required)
12:00–6:00 p.m. Summer Spin DJ sets in the Courtyard (free admission)
1:30 p.m. The Muppet Show: 50 Greatest Moments (ticket required)
2:00 p.m. Frog Choir with Dodie Whitaker (free with RSVP)
3:00 p.m. Live Artist Demo—Henson-inspired Art (free with RSVP; limited space)
3:00 p.m. Guided tour of The Jim Henson Exhibition (ticket required)
4:00 p.m. Panel: Inspired by Jim Henson (ticket required)
4:30 p.m. Panel: Henson Products—The Inside Story (free with RSVP; limited space)
6:00–10:00 p.m. Henson Meet-Up at Pig Beach (offsite)
Sunday, September 27
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Puppeteering workshop (free admission)
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Collectibles Swa(m)p Meet (free admission)
11:30 a.m. The Muppet Show: 50 Greatest Moments (ticket required)
1:00 p.m. Gaia Music Collective One-Day Choir: “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” (Free with RSVP; limited space)
1:00 p.m. Guided tour of The Jim Henson Exhibition (ticket required)
1:30 p.m. ToughPigs Podcast Live: Inside Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (ticket required)
3:00–4:00 p.m. Costume contest (Kaufman Courtyard)
4:00–6:00 p.m. Live music with John Koozin and the Neighborhood (Kaufman Courtyard)
4:30 p.m. The American Banjo Museum presents a Henson Sing-Along with Lucas Ross (ticket required)
6:00–8:30 p.m. Henson Meet-Up at Pig Beach (offsite)
About Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI)
MoMI celebrates the history, art, technology, and future of the moving image in all of its forms. Located in Astoria, New York, the Museum presents exhibitions; screenings; discussion programs featuring actors, directors, and creative leaders; and education programs. It houses the nation’s most comprehensive collection of moving image artifacts and screens over 500 films annually. Its exhibitions—including the core exhibition Behind the Screen and The Jim Henson Exhibition—are noted for their integration of material objects, interactive experiences, and audiovisual presentations. For more information about the MoMI, visit movingimage.org.
# # #
Pictured: attendees of last year’s celebration of Jim Henson’s birthday (Photo by Thanassi Karageorgiou)