For One Night, the MFA Can Be Your Gym

MFA photo by Bill Damon on Flickr/Creative Commons

Rule breakers, night owls, and fitness junkies: You’re going to want to read this.

From September 17 into September 18, the MFA is throwing a massive, free overnight party that will allow you to indulge all of your Night at the Museum fantasies. The festivities wage non-stop from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., and the schedule is packed with dancing, art, food, music, games, and all kinds of other activities. And because no event in Boston is complete without fitness, those activities include a late-night run around the museum, followed by early morning yoga to wind things down.

Sure, you probably gaze at the museum during your runs around the Fens. Maybe you’ve even done yoga on its grounds. This promises to be even cooler—trust us.

First, the museum turns into a track, if only for a little while. Running coach Dan Fitzgerald, of Heartbreak Hill Running Company, will lead a late-night run-meets-HIIT workout around the MFA’s grounds and entrances, drawing inspiration from Christian Marclay’s the Clock. Get your shoes laced up and head to the Linde Family Wing entrance at 10 p.m. to participate. Oh, and maybe consider bringing a change of clothes if you plan on rejoining the party post-workout.

Late-night running not your scene? Take things a little slower with a very scenic morning yoga flow in gallery 265. Yoga will be led by instructors from Equinox, and runs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Just try not to fall asleep during savasana.

The party is free to all, and you can join whichever portions you please. The catch, though, is tickets are only available day-of, and they’re first come, first served. Can’t hurt to get there early and pregame with a cup of coffee—or five.

Free, 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., 9/17 to 9/18. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, mfa.org.