If your kids love Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, there’s a brand new reason to plan a visit to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The museum has launched Tiana’s Joyful Celebration, an immersive exhibit inspired by Princess Tiana and the vibrant culture of New Orleans.
Opening March 7, 2026, and running through January 3, 2027, this exciting exhibit begins its nationwide tour right here in Indianapolis before traveling to children’s museums across the United States. For families in Central Indiana, that means a rare opportunity to experience a brand-new Disney-inspired educational exhibit before the rest of the country. The exhibit is recommended for kids ages 6–10, but younger children will still find plenty to explore.
Don’t forget, you can visit on the first Thursday of each month during extended hours for a discounted rate of $6 per person from 4 pm to 8 pm. This exhibit will be a part of First Thursdays at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis beginning in April. Indiana Access Pass discounted admission is available every day for just $5 for the whole family. There are also The Children’s Museum free admission days on the calendar.
A Celebration of Tiana’s Story
Tiana has long been a fan-favorite Disney character because of her determination, optimism, and work ethic. Her story centers on dreams, community, and the culture of New Orleans. Tiana’s Joyful Celebration brings those themes to life through the continuation of Tiana’s storyline.
The exhibit takes visitors on a joyful journey inspired by the sights and sounds of New Orleans. Throughout the exhibit, families will encounter colorful lights, lively music, and interactive activities that highlight the traditions and creativity that shaped Tiana’s world. It’s such a beautiful, sensory-filled exhibit.
Guests can make a bracelet with Disney symbols representing their own personalities. There are musical instruments, light-up interactives, play gardens, and play kitchens with gamified objectives. The interpretive staff will be on hand throughout the day with various other interactive art and craft activities. There’s a screen where kids can join in on painting a digital community mural, a place to digitally design your own hot sauce using physical toy food items, and a dress-up area where you can dress child-sized mannequins for the big parade. Kids and adults will find so many beautiful ways to participate in this Joyful Celebration.
As someone who recently visited New Orleans and saw firsthand the food, music, and culture that inspired Tiana’s story, it’s especially fun to see those same themes come to life right here in Indy.
A Celebration Inspired by New Orleans
Tiana’s Joyful Celebration captures the festival spirit of New Orleans, longtime traditions, and themes surrounding food, music, and art. Through a colorful, joyful environment filled with the sounds and beauty of New Orleans, Indianapolis kids and their families, and visitors to the museum can be a part of the excitement of Mardi Gras.
As families step into the space, they’ll find themselves surrounded by music, vibrant colors, and interactive activities that help them better understand the culture and creativity that inspired Tiana’s story. The experience feels festive and energetic, almost like stepping into a neighborhood celebration.
The actors in the exhibit will vary by day, but kids will have the opportunity to join in and play instruments with a spasm band, learn a second-line dance, and help cross things off the to-do list for the big parade. Plus, there’s a special puppet show and a magic cooking show as part of the daily programming in the
Hands-On Fun for Kids
Like most exhibits at the Children’s Museum, this one is designed to be interactive and playful. Kids won’t just walk through the space; they’ll explore it.
The open, colorful environment makes it easy for families to move through the space together.
One thing to note: this isn’t a character meet-and-greet experience. Instead, the focus is on storytelling, culture, and interactive exploration.
A Collaboration with Disney Imagineering
One of the things that makes Tiana’s Joyful Celebration especially exciting is the partnership behind it. The exhibit was developed in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, the same team responsible for designing Disney theme park attractions.
That collaboration brings Disney-level storytelling and creativity into the museum environment while still keeping the Children’s Museum’s focus on hands-on learning.
It’s a really cool blend of imagination and education, which is exactly what The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis does best.
Make It a Full Day at the Museum
If you’re planning a trip to see Tiana’s Joyful Celebration, you’ll definitely want to give yourself plenty of time to explore the rest of the museum.
As the world’s largest children’s museum, The Children’s Museum offers five floors of exhibits and experiences. Families can easily turn a visit into a full day of fun with stops at favorites like Paw Patrol Adventure Play (through May 26), the Dinosphere, and the many hands-on science and art exhibits throughout the building.
Adding the Tiana exhibit gives families one more reason to spend the day discovering something new.
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