Cool Summer Nights

Cool Summer Nights
Open till 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays
June 10 - August 26, 2023

The Desert Museum is lovely during the day, but it’s even cooler after dark! Join us every Saturday night throughout the summer to beat the heat while learning something neat! The desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake. Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, beavers splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities. See the schedule below for weekly themes.

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Exhibit Closing Times

Some exhibits close early for safety reasons or so that the animals can get some shut eye! The gardens and aviaries will close at 6:45 p.m. and the Desert Loop Trail will close at 7:00 p.m.

Shopping and Dining Closing Times

The Mountain House Gift Shop (near the entrance) is open until 9:00 p.m.
The Ironwood Gift Shop (near the restaurant complex) is open until 8:30 p.m.

The Ocotillo Café is open from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The Ironwood Terraces Restaurant is open throughout the day until 8:00 p.m.
Phoebé’s Coffee Bar is open throughout the day until 9:00 p.m.

PRO TIP

Please remember: rattlesnakes are more active as it gets dark. They are important members of our natural environment but if you spot one, please alert any volunteer or staff member and maintain your distance. Make sure to be alert of where you place your hands & feet. Thank you!

Weekly Themes

June 10 — World Oceans Night

Why would a Museum focused on the desert celebrate World Oceans Day? Water is one of the most precious resources in the Sonoran Desert, which includes the Gulf of California. This body of water is a support system – not only to us – but also to the creatures that inhabit it. Help us celebrate the big blue by wearing blue in honor of World Oceans Day! Bring your flashlight and explore, experience live animal encounters, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, and more!

Tonight’s Activities

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.: Conservation activities and info from: University of Arizona Biosphere 2, The Dive Shop, Finn Foundation, Desert Dolphins, & CEDO: Intercultural Center for the study of Deserts and Oceans.
6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Sharks Presentation: By Shaun Pipes of the Finn Foundation
8:00 - 8:45 p.m. Gulf of California Presentation: By Nélida Barajas Acosta with CEDO
Throughout the Night: Look for Museum Docents around the grounds interpreting live animals, celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more!
6:00 - 8:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit: Admission: $2 Members / $3 Non-Members
Visitors are able to create their own moments with these captivating creatures at the Stingray Touch experience. The pool features cow nose stingrays that guests can interact with. Be touched by a ray!
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Packrat Playhouse: This indoor play space allows children to discover the desert through the eyes of a packrat! Packrat Playhouse may reach capacity. 30-minute reserved play times are available at the Packrat Playhouse entrance.
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits: Make sure to check out 'Ecotone' in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Remembering Places' in the Baldwin Education Building!

June 17 — Astronomy Night (open till 10:00 p.m. for extra dark skies!)

Tucson is arguably the best city for stargazing in the United States. View the wonders of the night skies at one of our telescope stations and enjoy space-themed activities! Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, and learn more about star maps from our Docents.

June 24 — The Magic of Monsoons

Incredible lightning storms and the intoxicating aroma of creosote after the first rain are two of our favorite things about monsoon season! Enjoy fun presentations about this summertime season. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, and feel the touch of a stingray.

July 1 — Dino Night

Have you heard that the Sonorasaurus is officially Arizona's state dinosaur? Based on the fossils, it is estimated that the dino was about 50 feet long and weighed 4,000 pounds. Come see the REAL Sonorasaurus bones (only at the Desert Museum)! You can also become an amateur paleontologist in the fossil dig at our Ancient Arizona exhibit. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, experience live animal encounters, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, and more!

July 8 — Insectopia

Let’s celebrate incredible insects and amazing arthropods! The Sonoran Desert is a hot spot of insect diversity and this is your chance to meet them. Get a bugs-eye view of many of the million species of arthropods that make the Sonoran Desert their home. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, and feel the touch of a stingray.

July 15 — Majestic Minerals

Did you know there are fluorescent minerals? Rock out with us for an evening of hands-on mineral activities! Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, learn all about the madness of minerals from our resident experts Anna Domitrovic and Penny Savoie, experience live animal encounters, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, and more!

July 22 — Creatures of the Night

The desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake. Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, beavers splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities.

July 29 — 70s Night

Celebrate the Museum's 70th Anniversary with a flashback to the 1970s! Have some nostalgic fun with music, a costume contest and more. Wear your grooviest outfits, bring your flashlight and explore, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities.

August 5 — All About Art

August 12 — Singing with the Saguaros

Join Educator Michelle Miner, Mr. Nature, and more musicians in a desert style Singalong in the Warden Oasis Theater! Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, and feel the touch of a stingray.

August 19 — Bat Night

Are you feeling batty? Come celebrate the only flying mammals — bats! The evening will be filled with fun, educational activities, talks, and crafts designed to help you better appreciate these amazing aerial acrobats! Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, and feel the touch of a stingray.