After Dark

See for Yourself

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

Buy Tickets

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.

Upcoming Events

Jul
25

After Dark: Out of This World

Thursday, July 25, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

The most distant human-made object is over 13 billion miles from Earth . . . and counting. From the search for life to theoretical models of the future universe, discover what we’re learning about the most “out-there” parts of space.

Aug
1

After Dark: Beer

Thursday, August 1, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

How do water, yeast, grains, and hops combine to make such wonderfully different adult beverages? Learn about these ingredients and why San Francisco has been (and continues to be) a great location for brewing beer.

Aug
8

After Dark: LASERS

Thursday, August 8, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Everyone knows that LASERs put on a good show, but what else can they do? Focus on the history of LASERs along with live demonstrations of their potential and power to wow.

Aug
15

Photograph of a big, rusty cleat on a pier over San Francisco Bay.

After Dark: By the Sea

Thursday, August 15, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Oh buoy! Celebrate San Francisco’s undeniable connection to the ocean—come to our historic pier and learn what it means to be in, on, and around the beautiful Pacific.

Aug
22

After Dark: Artificially Intelligent

Thursday, August 22, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Interface with projects and technologies that think for themselves and see artworks that use A.I. in impressive ways—and reflect on the ways in which what a machine learns may reflect the limits of human thought.

Aug
29

After Dark: Bottom of the 9th

Thursday, August 29, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Do you know the science behind America’s national pastime? Take on the physics of bats and balls, and don’t forget to budget time for batting practice.

Sep
5

After Dark: Remix

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

Access your inner DJ, play around with mixing up all kinds of art, experience music that’s been rearranged, and discover remixed advances in science at After Dark: Remix.

Sep
12

After Dark: Humor Me

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

What’s funny? At After Dark: Humor Me, sift through the research on the science of laughter and humor and seek out the humor woven into many of our museum exhibit descriptions.

Sep
19

After Dark: Transportation Revolution

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

How has transportation evolved over time, and how does this evolution move toward a sustainable transportation ecology? Learn more about how transit technology has advanced to respond to both current and anticipated future needs.

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.

See Past Thursday Nights →