exploratorium

After Dark

See for Yourself

Every Thursday Night • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Buy Tickets

Free for Donors and After Dark Members

Adults Only (18+)

Note: The Tactile Dome and some programs have limited capacity and are available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

Things look different after dark. Lose yourself in over 650 interactive exhibits exploring perception, art, and science. Grab your friends and a drink and get immersed in everything from a pitch-black dome to a fog bridge, a large-scale kaleidoscope, dazzling light displays, mind-bending mirrors, and more. Or savor adults-only programming featuring unique guest speakers, great music, specialty films, and one-of-a-kind activities. It'll change how you think about the world around you. But don't take our word for it—see for yourself.

 

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Upcoming Events

Sep
26
After Dark: Nature's Cabaret

Thursday, September 26, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Enter nature’s cabaret and encounter the high drama of nature. Broaden your perspective with artworks that consider how we as humans view this natural world and shape it in our own image.

 

Oct
3
After Dark: Cells to Self

Thursday, October 3, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Come see what you’re made of at Cells to Self, our new exhibit collection—from the environmental awareness of bacteria to human heart cells beating in response to electricity.

Oct
10
Photo of two differently colored egg yolks in big white ceramic soup spoons
After Dark: Future Foods

Thursday, October 10, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

From plant-based proteins to robotics in food production, what and how we eat is changing rapidly. Explore what’s new in our diets and go deep at Pairings: Hacking Food. 

 

Oct
17
After Dark: Earthquakes

Thursday, October 17, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Drop, cover, and hold on...to After Dark: Earthquakes, where we’ll commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta quake and look ahead to the latest in earthquake preparation, safety research, and building practices.

Oct
24
After Dark: It's Alive!

Thursday, October 24, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Sometimes life is hard to observe. Discover what you’ve been missing: use scientific tools to investigate living things of all different sizes, the ecosystems they inhabit, and the processes they share.

 

Oct
31
After Dark: Halloween

Thursday, October 31, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

It’s no trick—just a refreshingly nerdy Halloween treat. Join us for a night filled with fun and spooky Bay Area favorites including Nerd Nite, Awesome Orchestra, and Odd Salon. Costumes highly encouraged.

 

Nov
7
After Dark: Matters of Fact

Thursday, November 7, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

How can we know the truth? Do facts matter? Learn about the anchors of scrupulous science and diligent data, how they can be exploited, and tools to find the facts for yourself.

 

Nov
14
After Dark: From the Farm

Thursday, November 14, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

From livestock to grapes, come learn some of the science involved in growing the world’s food. And don’t forget to taste the bounty at our science-of-food program, Pairings.

Dec
5
After Dark: Glow

Thursday, December 5, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Keep the early dark of this winter’s night at bay with light, color, and warmth. Excite your atoms at Glow, our annual festival of ebullient lights and subtle glows celebrating the close of the year.

 

Dec
12
After Dark: Life Out of Balance

Thursday, December 12, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

How can we reverse the course of our ecological impact and move toward a more sustainable future? Hear from leading scientists about the latest in resilience, sustainability, and environmental science education.

 

Dec
19
After Dark: Happy Place

Thursday, December 19, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Where’s your happy place? Bring it a little closer with the science and practice of unlocking joy and finding euphoria.

See Past Thursday Nights →

Learn More

Exploratorium exterior at night
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Play with the exhibits, and discover new ways to understand how our world works.

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Restaurant and Café

Sit down and enjoy a delicious, locally sourced meal—and a great view.