After Dark

See for Yourself

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

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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

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.

Nov
21

After Dark: Nonsense Machines

Thursday, November 21, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Leave your common sense at the door and indulge in a night of nonsense in celebration of the opening of Curious Contraptions—including two performances by Maywa Denki, foremost purveyors of nonsense machines.

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: Lights, Camera, Action!

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

Excite your atoms at Glow, our annual festival of ebullient lights; experience a landscape of astonishing visual effects at Kaleidoscope; and bring flying, sailing, and cycling automata to life at Curious Contraptions.

Dec
26

After Dark: Full-Spectrum

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

Come see our winter exhibitions before the year is over! Explore Glow and Curious Contraptions and close out the year with our staff scientist Ron Hipschman and Full-Spectrum Science.

Jan
2

After Dark: Happy Place

Thursday, January 2, 2020 • 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 →

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