Mütter Museum Is Hosting Choreomania, a Themed Costume Party With Cocktails, DJ, Light Bites, and More
Mütter Museum Is Hosting Choreomania, a Themed Costume Party With Cocktails, DJ, Light Bites, and More
Choreomania, an immersive theme party inspired by a medieval medical phenomenon, will return to the Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia on Friday, October 30, from 6 to 11 p.m. The event follows last year’s inaugural edition, which drew approximately 600 attendees. This year’s theme centers on “choleric,” one of the four humors associated with fire, passion and physical activity.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a garden party in the Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden, featuring music and drinks. At 7 p.m., the event transitions into a fully immersive experience in the style of “Sleep No More,” transporting guests to a 16th-century village setting. Attendees will take part in “dancing mania” beneath a sensory light installation created by artist collective Glimmer Labs, with music from DJ Yngfu and DJ Daniela, founder of Deep Playa NYC.
The event includes after-hours museum access, light bites, and specialty cocktails available for purchase. Guests will also have access to special collections items, immersive interactions with costumed actors portraying period villagers, and pop-up activations touching on the medical, spiritual and social elements of the medieval period. Registration is available at muttermuseum.org/events/choreomania-2026/
Choreomania draws its name and inspiration from “dancing mania,” a phenomenon that periodically affected medieval European towns. The best-documented case, known as the Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg, France, involved hundreds of residents experiencing an unexplained compulsion to dance. Over several months, affected individuals reportedly experienced uncontrollable movement, dehydration, sweating, extreme fatigue and, in some cases, collapse. Medieval physicians, uncertain of the cause, responded by bringing in musicians, establishing dance halls for those affected, and managing symptoms through food and drink. Similar episodes occurred throughout mainland Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries and remain without a clear medical explanation.
Sara Ray, PhD, Senior Director of Interpretation and Engagement at the Mütter Museum, said the museum is glad to bring the event back following a strong response to its first year. She said programs like Choreomania give visitors a way to engage with medical history in an entertaining format.
Guests are encouraged to dress in Choreomania-themed costumes inspired by the medieval period’s visual culture, peasant style and demonology.
A 48-hour presale begins Tuesday, September 15, and is available exclusively to museum members and College Fellows, both of whom receive a 20% discount. General ticket sales begin Thursday, September 17. Tickets cost $85.
