Extended Museum hours: On Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, the Museum will close at 8:00 p.m. to give visitors one extra hour for viewing Jim Henson’s Fantastic World. Due to the high volume of visitors expected this weekend, please give yourself ample time to collect tickets for screenings or events.

The popular and acclaimed exhibition Jim Henson’s Fantastic World will be on view through Sunday, March 4. The final weekend of the show, Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, 2012, features several special programs to mark the close of the successful national tour of this Smithsonian traveling exhibition, organized in partnership with The Jim Henson Legacy. In addition, the Museum will give away a free limited edition commemorative bookmark to all visitors on Saturday and Sunday (while supplies last).

The special weekend programs open with Heather Henson's Sing-along with The Muppet Movie on Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3. Full of interactive surprises and characters coming right out of the screen into the audience, Muppet fans of all ages will enjoy renewing their “rainbow connection” with Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the whole gang. On Sunday, March 4, the Museum will present a special closing program with guest speakers and a screening of an exclusive video compilation celebrating the life and legacy of Jim Henson. Also on Sunday, there will be a final screening of The Muppet Show, with episodes featuring Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly.

In addition, from Tuesday, February 28 through Friday, March 2, the Museum will present Jim Henson’s Oscar-nominated short film Time Piece (1965, 9 mins.) in the Video Screening Amphitheater. This experimental short film tells what Henson—who also stars in the film—called "the story of Everyman, frustrated by the typical tasks of a typical day."

Click here for a calendar of programs, February 28–March 4.