Melbourne's beloved science museum embraces the colder months with two distinctive programs that blend scientific wonder with cultural celebration.
Winter in Melbourne usually means hibernating indoors with endless cups of tea and questionable Netflix choices. But Scienceworks is throwing that script out the window with two programs that make venturing west actually tempting.
We’re talking mulled wine under a massive moon installation, queer astronomy stories that should have been told ages ago, and the kind of after-dark museum experience that doesn’t involve security guards shushing you.
This isn’t your primary school excursion flashback either. The winter solstice party is strictly 18+ territory with actual DJs, while the Pride Month stargazing sessions are flipping the traditional astronomy narrative on its head. Both programs prove that science doesn’t have to be stuffy – sometimes it just needs the right lighting and a decent drink.
Scienceworks After Dark: Winter Solstice offers adults an exclusive evening experience, while Pride Month Stargayzing shows throughout June provide inclusive astronomical adventures for all ages.
Scienceworks After Dark
- Scienceworks After Dark: Winter Solstice – Friday 21 June, 6-10pm (18+ only)
- Pride Month Stargayzing – Every Saturday in June, 3-3.45pm (all ages)
- Location: Scienceworks, 2 Booker Street, Spotswood
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An immersive solstice experience
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The winter solstice program centres around the museum’s stunning four-metre moon installation, positioned in the Planetarium Foyer where visitors can enjoy mulled wine while contemplating our celestial neighbour. This breathtaking art-science installation showcases realistic lunar surface details, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that enhances the evening’s astronomical focus.
Throughout the night, multiple planetarium shows titled What’s in the Sky Tonight: Solstice Edition run at 60-minute intervals from 6.30pm until 9.30pm. These specially curated 40-minute presentations explore the astronomical significance of the winter solstice, taking audiences on journeys through galaxies while explaining how the sun’s path changes throughout seasons. The shows combine educational content with spectacular visual experiences, allowing viewers to fly beyond Earth and witness spectacular astronomical destinations.
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The evening includes access to Tinkertown, Scienceworks’ newest exhibition featuring marvellous inventions, daring builds and mindful tinkering opportunities. Visitors can construct cubby houses, solve challenges, send secret messages and invent whacky contraptions in this interactive wonderland designed to spark creativity and collaboration.
Hands-on activities include traditional lantern making in the STEM Lab, where participants craft their own illumination devices using techniques employed by cultures worldwide throughout history. These lanterns symbolised hope for brighter days during the longest night, connecting contemporary visitors with ancient solstice traditions while teaching practical engineering skills.
Celebrating queer stories in the cosmos
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Pride Month programming takes a refreshingly inclusive approach to astronomy through Stargayzing shows that explore LGBTQIA+ connections within celestial narratives. These Saturday afternoon sessions reveal lesser-known stories written in the stars, highlighting mythological figures and space missions with queer links that traditional astronomy presentations often overlook.
Each Stargayzing session offers unique content shaped by the stars and planets visible that evening, ensuring no two shows repeat identical material. This approach creates cosmic celebrations that honour diverse perspectives while maintaining scientific accuracy and educational value. The programming demonstrates how inclusive storytelling can enhance rather than compromise scientific education.
The guided journeys through the cosmos reveal different sides of the night sky, connecting contemporary LGBTQIA+ experiences with historical and mythological narratives that span cultures and centuries. These connections illustrate how human diversity has always been reflected in our interpretations of celestial phenomena, making astronomy more relatable and meaningful for broader audiences.
Additional exhibitions including Sportsworks and Think Ahead remain accessible throughout both programs, allowing visitors to explore future technologies and test their physical capabilities alongside the special winter programming. This comprehensive approach ensures that single visits can encompass diverse interests and learning styles.
Why these shows are actually worth your time
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Look, winter in Melbourne can be brutal, but Scienceworks is serving up the perfect excuse to get off the couch. The solstice party isn’t your typical stuffy museum experience – they’re literally bringing in DJs and setting up photo booths alongside the science stuff. It’s what happens when nerdy meets party, and honestly, it works.
The mulled wine under a giant moon installation sounds like something straight out of a fantasy film, except you’re actually learning about astronomy while you’re sipping. Plus, you get to play around in Tinkertown, which is basically a massive playground for adults who never quite grew up.
And the Pride Month stargazing? Finally, someone’s telling the queer stories that have been hiding in plain sight among the constellations for centuries. Each show is different depending on what’s actually visible that night, so you’re getting a genuinely unique experience every time.
These programs give you something actually interesting to do when it’s too cold and wet to venture far from home. The 18+ solstice event means you can enjoy a proper adult night out without having to navigate screaming kids, while the Pride shows welcome everyone.
The whole setup encourages you to wander around and discover things at your own pace. You’re not being herded through exhibits or rushed along – you can spend as long as you want geeking out over whatever catches your attention.
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This article was made in partnership with Museums Victoria.
