Melbourne Museum's adults-only night series returns with an ambitious lineup of themed gatherings blending art, science and culture.
Forget flicking through Netflix on a Thursday night – the city’s cultural playground is throwing open its doors after hours once again for a monthly fix of cerebral stimulation wrapped in party vibes.
Running monthly from May to December, each themed night serves up expert talks, immersive exhibitions and hands-on activities, plus add LEGO® Star Wars: The Exhibition to your ticket and enjoy a rare opportunity to see the exhibition after hours and for adults only.
Nocturnal: Museum After Dark
- 8 May – Custom Made
- 12 June – Space Odyssey
- 10 July – NAIDOC Week
- 14 August – Force of Nature
- 18 September – Myths & Legends
- 9 October – Action-Reaction
- 13 November – Unearthed
- 11 December – All That Glitters
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
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Artistry takes centre stage
The museum’s 2025 program kicks into high gear this May with Custom Made, a celebration of design that promises to showcase everything from the meticulous art of taxidermy to cutting-edge couture fashion.
Visitors will get up-close access to the museum’s extensive collection of handcrafted objects while expert talks dive into the painstaking processes behind their creation. The evening offers a rare chance to explore the intersection of artistic vision and scientific precision that defines museum curation.
The museum’s expansive spaces transform beautifully under nighttime lighting, creating the perfect backdrop for a sophisticated evening out.
Journey to the stars
June’s Space Odyssey takes attendees on an interstellar journey through astronomy, celestial navigation and the legends of the stars. With Melbourne’s light pollution making stargazing increasingly difficult, this event offers urbanites a chance to reconnect with the cosmos.
The museum’s extensive collection of meteorites and space-related artifacts will likely feature prominently, alongside expert talks from astronomers and indigenous knowledge keepers who’ve used the stars for navigation and storytelling for millennia.
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First Nations celebration
July aligns with NAIDOC Week, offering a special celebration of First Peoples’ culture that connects the museum’s extensive indigenous collections with contemporary First Nations voices. The evening promises to be a powerful showcase of living cultural traditions rather than simply historical artifacts.
Previous NAIDOC celebrations at the museum have featured indigenous music performances, storytelling sessions, and artist demonstrations, creating immersive experiences that highlight the continuing strength and vibrancy of First Nations cultures.
Scientific exploration
August’s Force of Nature coincides with National Science Week, focusing on the wonders of our natural world. The timing creates a perfect synergy between the nationwide celebration of scientific discovery and the museum’s extensive natural history collections.
Expect hands-on demonstrations of scientific principles, engaging talks from prominent researchers, and rare after-hours access to special exhibits. Previous National Science Week events have featured everything from explosive chemistry demonstrations to hands-on DNA extraction activities.
Mythical journeys
September takes a more fantastical turn with Myths & Legends, a night dedicated to stories, legendary creatures and ancient myths from around the world. This event bridges the gap between scientific fact and cultural storytelling, exploring how societies throughout history have made sense of their world.
The museum’s extensive anthropological collections provide the perfect backdrop for exploring creation myths, legendary beasts, and folklore traditions from Australia and beyond.
Activism and change
October’s Action-Reaction explores the physics of change alongside protest movements and social activism. This innovative pairing combines scientific principles with social history, examining how energy transforms both physical systems and societies.
Visitors can expect a thought-provoking evening examining the museum’s collection of protest memorabilia alongside demonstrations of action-reaction principles in the physical world.
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Underground discoveries
November’s Unearthed focuses on archaeology, palaeontology and recent scientific discoveries. The timing is perfect for showcasing the year’s most significant finds just as the academic year winds down, with researchers available to share their latest work directly with the public.
Festive finale
The year concludes with December’s All That Glitters, a festive celebration examining biofluorescence, gemstones and the science of light. Perfect for the holiday season, this dazzling finale promises visual spectacles alongside scientific insights.
“We’re creating experiences that blend intellectual curiosity with pure entertainment,” says producer Alice Gibbons. “These nights allow people to engage with the museum in completely different ways than during daylight hours.”
Tickets start at $25 for adults, with concession and member discounts available. Combination tickets including LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition range from $44-$63.
For tickets and more information, visit Melbourne Museum’s website.
