Cool Summer Nights

Cool Summer Nights
Open till 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays
June 7 - August 30, 2025

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 Mixed Aviary will close at 7:00 p.m. Jun-Jul and 6:30 p.m. Aug, and the Desert Loop Trail will close at 7:30 p.m. Jun-Jul and 6:30 p.m. Aug.

Shopping and Dining Closing Times

The Mountain House Gift Shop (near the entrance) is open until 10:00 p.m.
The Ironwood Gift Shop (near the restaurant complex) is open until 10:00 p.m.

The Ocotillo Café is open from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. (closed July 19)
The Ironwood Terraces Restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Phoebé’s Coffee Bar is open throughout the day until 10:00 p.m.

A few menu items from the Ocotillo Café


(gf) Birria — Slow cooked beef on corn tortillas with pepperjack cheese, served with cilantro, onion, radish and consume for dipping	Southwest Bbq Burger — prime rib steak burger, pineapple braised pork, pepperjack cheese, red onion, and house made chipotle Dr. Pepper barbeque sauce, served on grilled bun with roasted jalapeno	Chef’s Sonoran Dawg — All beef frank wrapped with applewood smoked bacon, topped with pinto beans, blended cheese, fresh salsa fresca, mustard, and charred jalapeno aioli on a fresh house baked bolillo roll	(gf) Sopes — Lightly fried masa shells, with refried beans, shredded chicken, cotija cheese, cilantro, radish, and topped with salsa verde

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 & Activity Schedule

Activity schedules subject to additions and changes — check back often for the latest updates!

(See previous Saturday schedules)

August 2 — 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. First 250 guests (starting at 6:00 p.m.) receive a FREE blacklight flashlight! What glowing insects will you discover throughout the night?

Tonight’s Activities

Signature Drink — Blue Butterfly
Throughout the Night: Look for Museum Docents around the grounds interpreting celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more!
6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit: Admission: $2 Members / $4 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 - 10:00 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.
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits: Make sure to check out 'Camouflage' in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Desert Textures' in the Baldwin Education Building!

August 9 — Singing with Saguaros

Howl and boogie with the Desert Museum Family Band! Join education specialists Michelle Miner and Kyleigh Sacco — plus special guests like Mr. Nature, Syndenn Sweet, and Eli Beren — in a desert style Singalong at the Warden Oasis Theater. Get your paws on our nature inspired music album! Bring your flashlight and explore, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, and feel the touch of a stingray.

Tonight’s Activities

Signature Drink — Saguaro Cooler
7:00 - 7:30 p.m. & 8:00 - 8:30 p.m. Saguaro Singalongs: Howl and boogie with the Desert Museum Family Band!
Throughout the Night: Look for Museum Docents around the grounds interpreting celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more! Blacklights will be available to seek out those fluorescing scorpions!
6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit: Admission: $2 Members / $4 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 - 10:00 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.
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits: Make sure to check out 'Camouflage' in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Desert Textures' in the Baldwin Education Building!

August 16 — 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.

Tonight’s Activities

Signature Drink — Bat Bite
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 - 9:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit: Admission: $2 Members / $4 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 - 10:00 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.
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits: Make sure to check out 'Camouflage' in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Desert Textures' in the Baldwin Education Building!

August 23 — Teacher Appreciation Night

See full details here.

August 30 — Desert Trails

Tonight’s Activities

Signature Drink — Desert Elixir
Throughout the Night: Look for Museum Docents around the grounds interpreting celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more!
6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit: Admission: $2 Members / $4 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 - 10:00 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.
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits: Make sure to check out 'Camouflage' in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Where the Light Gets In' in the Baldwin Education Building!