# Medieval plague party comes to Philly this Halloween

> The Mütter Museum recreates a 16th-century dancing mania with immersive theater, DJs and cocktails.
- Title: Medieval plague party comes to Philly this Halloween
- Summary: The Mütter Museum recreates a 16th-century dancing mania with immersive theater, DJs and cocktails. Choreomania returns October 30 as an adults-only…
- Keywords: mütter museum, choreomania, halloween party, dancing mania, philadelphia, immersive theater, 16th century, strasbourg 1518, medical history, october 30, news, local
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/mutter-museum-choreomania-halloween-party-dancing-plague-2026
- Published: 2026-09-16T16:14:33.463+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mütter museum, choreomania, halloween party, dancing mania, philadelphia, immersive theater, 16th century, strasbourg 1518, medical history, october 30, news, local
## Medieval dancing plague returns to Philly
The Mütter Museum's Choreomania party on October 30 recreates a mysterious historical phenomenon where people danced uncontrollably for days.
## What was dancing mania?
Cases of dancing mania were recorded across Europe for centuries. The most famous outbreak happened in Strasbourg in 1518, when hundreds of people danced uncontrollably until exhaustion or collapse.
## Party starts as garden gathering
At 6 p.m., guests enjoy drinks and music in the Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden before the main event begins an hour later.
## Enter a 16th-century village
Guests walk through a recreated medieval village filled with costumed actors and pop-up performances, inspired by immersive shows like Sleep No More.
## Light installations and live DJs
Glimmer Labs creates a sensory light installation around the dancing mania theme, while DJ Yngfu and DJ Daniela from Deep Playa NYC provide the music throughout the night.
## Museum access and special items
Attendees get after-hours access to the Mütter Museum and can view special items from its collections while enjoying light bites and specialty cocktails.
## Choleric theme for costumes
This year's costume theme is choleric, inspired by ancient medical theory linking bodily fluids to personality. The museum suggests medieval clothing, peasant-core and demonology.
## Second year with growing interest
About 600 people attended the inaugural Choreomania party last fall. Tickets are 85 dollars for the 21-and-older event on October 30 from 6 to 11 p.m.
## Key takeaway

Choreomania returns October 30 as an adults-only immersive party inspired by the historical phenomenon of dancing mania that swept through medieval Europe.