Do you have an uncontrollable urge to dance that no one can cure? Is your whole town afflicted? 

Come cut the rug at the Mütter Museum! Join us on October 30th from 7 to 11 PM for an evening of erratic convulsing as we channel the Dancing Plague of 1518. 

Choreomania is more than a dance party. It is inspired by the real historical phenomenon of "dancing mania" that periodically struck medieval European towns. The most well-known case was the so-called Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg, Germany, where hundreds of citizens were impacted by a widespread but inexplicable need to dance. Over several months, citizens experienced symptoms like uncontrollable movement, dehydration, sweating, extreme fatigue, and sometimes even collapse. While uncertain about its cause, medieval physicians treated choreomania by bringing in musicians, creating dance halls for the afflicted, and managing other symptoms through food and drink. Episodes of "dancing mania" occurred throughout mainland Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries, resisting easy medical explanation, past or present. 

You’ll have the unique chance to dance the night away to DJ Yngfu while enjoying specialty cocktails and exploring unseen objects from our Museum & Library collections that are rarely on display. 

Guests are encouraged to embrace the theme with Choreomania-themed costumes- think peasant-core, the medieval period’s visual culture, and demonology.  

Your general admission ticket includes: 

• Mütter Museum will be open from 7- 11 PM with designated 1 hour timed admission slots for attendees
• Light bites 
• Access to specialty cocktails  
• Rarely seen Museum and Library collection items 
• Music in our historic Mitchell Hall by Yngfu
• Immersive light installation by artist collective Glimmer Labs

Museum Members and College Fellows receive 20% off all events when you sign in at the top of the page or register! 

Please Note: 

• Must be 21+ to enter and must show photo ID to enter  

• Tickets are non-refundable, but are transferable to other people  
• There are a limited number of tickets available, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged  
• No weapons, fake or otherwise
• No nudity
• This is an interactive event
• Photography inside the Museum is prohibited  

If you have questions or concerns, please contact events@collegeofphysicians.org.