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After Dark

First Thursdays of the Month • 6:00 P.M.–10:00 P.M.
Exploratorium, Pier 15
$15 General; $10 Members; Free for Lab Members
Buy Tickets

Note: The Exploratorium is open for adults (ages 18+) every Thursday evening from 6:00–10:00 p.m. After Dark events are held on the first Thursday evening of each month.

Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended; door sales are limited. Tickets for limited-capacity programs will be made available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

Experience life After Dark, an evening series exclusively for adults that mixes cocktails, conversation, and playful, innovative science and art events.

Not a theater, cabaret, or gallery, After Dark contains aspects of all three. Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Join us and mingle with inventive scientists, artists, musicians, programmers, and designers. Enjoy live performances, provocative films, interesting music, cutting-edge technology, unexpected extravaganzas, and more, depending on each evening's lineup. And all night long, delicious nibbles and outrageous bay views are available at the SeaGlass restaurant. Leave the kids at home and meet friends or take a date. Where else can you find an intellectually stimulating playground for adults?

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Questions? E-mail us.

 

Upcoming Programs

Mar
5
After Dark: Extended Cinemas

Thursday, March 5, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Immerse yourself in visual storytelling that extends the possibilities of cinema, from live film performances to video installations, and even the chance to make your own cinematic toys and sound effects.

Apr
2
After Dark: Sideshow Science

Thursday, April 2, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

May
7
After Dark: Photography

Thursday, May 7, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Jun
4
After Dark

Thursday, June 4, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Jul
2
After Dark

Thursday, July 2, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Aug
6
After Dark

Thursday, August 6, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Sep
3
After Dark

Thursday, September 3, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Oct
1
After Dark

Thursday, October 1, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Nov
5
After Dark

Thursday, November 5, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Dec
3
After Dark

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Past Programs

After Dark: Nocturnal

Thursday, February 5, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Is the night the time when creatures go bump, our brains whirr, or when beautiful music is made? It’s all these and more, so join us to explore the night—see and better understand what lurks there in the dark.

After Dark: In With the New

Thursday, January 1, 2015 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

The essence of exploration begins with what is new and yet to be known. Join us to celebrate a New Year, a bevy of new exhibits, and tasty treats!

After Dark: Glow

Thursday, December 4, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Excite your atoms at After Dark: Glow, a festival of ebullient lights and subtle glows celebrating the close of the year.

After Dark: Decay

Thursday, November 6, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Not a theater, cabaret, or gallery, After Dark contains aspects of all three. Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity— but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

After Dark: When Tricks Are Treats

Thursday, October 2, 2014 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Delve into the science behind deception at After Dark. Learn to recognize fake wine, uncover the artistry (and artifice) of Victorian spirit photography, meet with magicians, and become a connoisseur of camouflage—animal and otherwise.

After Dark: Civic Hacks

Thursday, September 4, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

How would you improve our city’s public spaces? Contribute your vision at After Dark. Play in a parade of pianos, design a miniature Market Street, and test exhibits for next year’s Market Street Prototyping Festival.

After Dark: Science Fiction

Thursday, August 7, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Experience life After Dark, an evening series exclusively for adults that mixes cocktails, conversation, and playful, innovative science and art events.

After Dark: San Francisco

Thursday, July 3, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Encounter some of the lesser-known geographies of our beloved city, from the Fillmore jazz era to the Doggie Diner heads. Featuring John Law of the Suicide Club, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and Circus Center.

After Dark: Play

Thursday, June 5, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Discover kindergarten’s evolutionary role in shaping twentieth century arts and sciences, and make your own fun by building—or taking apart—classic toys.

After Dark: Carnaval

Thursday, May 1, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

¡Viva Carnaval! Inspired by the long-running Carnaval San Francisco, After Dark brings the noise—and explores colorful aspects of this rich local tradition.

After Dark: Wearable Technologies

Thursday, April 3, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Experience some of the fascinating and beautiful technologies that help us transcend our physical limitations. Featuring exoskeletons, wearable computers, 3D-printed prosthetics, electronically enhanced couture, and more.

After Dark: Extended Cinemas

Thursday, March 6, 2014 • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Immerse yourself in visual storytelling that extends the possibilities of cinema, from live performances and audience participation to flickering installations under glass.

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