Cool Summer Nights
Open till 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays
June 8 - August 24, 2024
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.
Exhibit Closing Times
Some exhibits close early for safety reasons or so that the animals can get some shut eye! The gardens will close at 6:45 p.m., and the aviaries 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 9:00 p.m. (bar open 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.
A few menu items from the Ocotillo Café
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| (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
June 08 — 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!
June 15 — All About Art
Did you know the Desert Museum has its own Art Institute? Explore the world of the arts throughout grounds. Bring your flashlight and explore, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities.
June 22 — 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!
June 29 — Astronomy Night (extra late 10:00 p.m. end time)
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.
July 6 — 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 13 — Caturday Night Live
July 20 — Radical Reptiles
July 27 — 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! 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.
August 3 — Singing with Saguaros
Join Educator Michelle Miner, plus special guests , in a desert style Singalong in the Warden Oasis Theater! Bring your flashlight and explore, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, and feel the touch of a stingray.
August 10 — 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.
August 17 — 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.
August 24 — Teacher Appreciation Night
Help us close out the final Cool Summer Nights with celebrating Teachers and Support Staff. Teachers and Support Staff, enjoy free admission (including Stingray Touch), swag bags, freebies, raffle, and more. We appreciate all the hard work that it takes to inspire and educate our children. 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.