Two people looking at a statue head of a Roman god.
18+ event

Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

First Thursday of the month

Experience Melbourne Museum after hours on the first Thursday of each month when the doors stay open late and the night belongs to adults.

Nocturnal: Museum After Dark invites you to explore the museum child-free, perfect for a memorable date night or an easy catch-up with friends. Wander the galleries at your own pace, away from the daytime crowds, and discover new perspectives through a curated program of talks and tours offering rare behind-the-scenes insights into our exhibitions and collections.

Enjoy access to ROME: Empire Power, People after-hours with your Nocturnal ticket and explore Ancient Rome’s political, cultural and social worlds in this premier exhibition.

As the night unfolds, enjoy a live DJ, drinks and snacks available at Museum Market Café. Relax, explore and experience Melbourne Museum in a whole new light - after dark.

Tickets

Adult $25

Concession $22.50

Members $20

Enjoy access to our newest exhibition, ROME: Empire Power, People after-hours included at no extra cost with your Nocturnal ticket and explore Ancient Rome’s political, cultural and social worlds in a more intimate setting free of children.

Date & Time

First Thursday of the month

6 to 9:30pm

Key information

Kick-on to a 9pm screening of the horror classic SUSPIRIA (1977) at IMAX Melbourne. Nocturnal ticketholders are eligible for a 25% discount online or at the Candy Bar.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

ROME: Empire, Power, People

6 to 9pm | Touring Hall, Lower Ground Level | Exhibition 

Carved stone head of Emperor Augustus.
Portrait of Augustus from the late reign of Augustus (27 BCE – 14CE) / Source: Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze

Featuring original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous, this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome’s political, cultural and social life.

Our Wondrous Planet

6 to 9:30pm | Melbourne Story, Upper Level | Exhibition

Experience our planet's intricate and interconnected ecosystems, from rainforests to coral reefs to polar seas. Large scale projections and hands-on interactives bring these worlds to life. 

First Peoples

6 to 8pm | Bunjilaka, Ground Level | Exhibition

Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum.
Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Rodney Start

Through the voices and languages of the south-eastern First Peoples community, the First Peoples exhibition celebrates the cultures of First Peoples with its rich traditions of performance, storytelling, artwork, and knowledge sharing, set against the history of survival throughout the ongoing impacts of colonisation.

Melbourne Story

6 to 9:30pm | Melbourne Story, Upper Level | Exhibition

Melbourne Story is packed with icons of the city's past and present – tales of heroes and scoundrels, growth and decline, and the changing ways Melburnians live, work and play.

Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs

6 to 9:30pm | Science & Life Gallery, Ground Level | Exhibition

Adults listening to a talk about Horridus the triceratops while standing around the imposing 85% complete fossil.
Hear about Horridus the triceratops while standing around the imposing 85% complete fossil. / Source: Museums Victoria

An immersive voyage into a lost world to explore the landscapes of the Cretaceous and get to know the creatures that thrived there.

Science & Life Gallery

6 to 9:30pm | Science & Life Gallery, Ground Level | Exhibition

Museum goers exploring Dinosaur Walk after night.
Walk with the dinosaurs! / Source: Melbourne Museum / Photo: Tobias Titz

Walk past the skeletons of 17 prehistoric animals through Dinosaur Walk, discover the origin of life in Victoria told through fossils, models, animatronics and animations, and see a world of insects, spiders, snails and other invertebrates in Bugs Alive!

More to come! but for now:

ROME: Empire, Power, People Spot Talks

A tour guide talks about something out of view in ROME: Empire, People Power People Exhibition at Melbourne Museum
Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Eugene Hyland

6:30, 7:30 & 8:30pm | Touring Hall, Lower Ground Level | Visitor Engagement Led Talk

Step into the grandeur of Ancient Rome in this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition featuring more than 180 original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects, many displayed in Melbourne for the first time. Journey through the political power, luxury, rituals and daily life of the Roman Empire in an immersive experience brought to life with dramatic scenography and multimedia. These special hourly tours offer intimate access, insights from a museum guide, and the opportunity to continue exploring the exhibition at your own pace afterwards.

Triceratops Tour with Sydney Shuherk

Adults listening to a talk about Horridus the triceratops while standing around the imposing 85% complete fossil.
Hear about Horridus the triceratops while standing around the imposing 85% complete fossil. / Source: Museums Victoria

Triceratops, Ground Level | 8pm | Tour

Embark on an insider's journey through Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs and uncover the secrets behind one of the most complete triceratops fossils ever found. Presented by Sydney Shuherk, Visitor Engagement Operations Coordinator. 

ACCESSIBILITY

Please view our accessibility page for general information. A sensory map of Melbourne Museum can be found on our Visual Stories page where step-by-step visual and written access guides are available. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your visit.