What's On
18+ event

Scienceworks After Dark: Science in the Shadows

Saturday 25 October
Museums Victoria / Scienceworks / What's on / Scienceworks After Dark: Science in the Shadows

Explore the unbelievable and dress to impress this spooky season as adults are invited to take over Scienceworks after hours. 

Adults drinking in the space can at at Scienceworks.
Source: Museums Victoria

Step into the shadows during this spine-tingling after-hours event for adults only. Explore eerie exhibits and hauntingly fun activities, sip on ghoulish cocktails, snack on creepy (yet delicious) treats, craft your own twisted creations, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the night.  

Entry to Tinkertown and one Planetarium show is included, select your show time when you purchase your ticket. General entry tickets, excluding a Planetarium show, are also available. Food and drinks available for purchase. This is an 18+ event. 

Tickets

Adult $35

Concession $32

Member $28

Date & Time

Saturday 25 October

6 to 10pm

PROGRAM

Science of the Seance  

7:30PM and 9PM | AMPHITHEATRE SHOW   

A mistic doing a seance
Source: Pexels / Photo: Pavel Danilyuk

Join paranormal researcher and comedian Lawrence Leung and scam expert Nicholas J. Johnson as they explore the strange intersection of belief, deception, and psychology. Blending mentalism, comedy, and research, the show unpacks the neuroscience behind why we believe in the supernatural, and the psychological techniques that make séances feel real – even when they're not. 

The Apocalypse List 

6:30PM, 7:15PM, 8PM | PLANETARIUM SHOW    

Closeup of faces looking up at the domed planetarium screen.
Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Joel Checkley, Tiny Empire Collective

You think Earth is a scary place? Just wait until you hear about all the ways the Universe is trying to wipe us from existence. In this special presenter-led show, we'll explore some of the unstoppable dangers lurking in the vastness of the Universe, from our very own planet to the furthest edges of space and time. In space no one can hear you scream – but in this 30-minute show, we might.

Tinkertown  

6 TO 10PM | SPECIAL EXHIBITION GALLERY | EXHIBITION  

Be a big kid in the new Tinkertown exhibition. Explore the engineering design process by building cubby houses and other imaginative structures. Solve challenges, send secret messages and invent wacky contraptions.​ Curious objects from the State Collection inspire visitors by demonstrating real-world examples of ambitious and innovative engineering design.

Creepy Keyrings   

6 TO 9:30PM | STEM LAB | ACTIVITY  

Create your own one-of-a-kind keyring using heat fused beads! Take a trip back to your childhood as you design a ghost, pumpkin, black cat or something of your own creation to hang from your keys as a memento (mori) of this special evening 

Museum of the Moon  

6 TO 10PM | PLANETARIUM FOYER | EXHIBITION  

People picnicking under the moon at Scienceworks After Dark.
Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Carlin and Camera

Take your spooky snacks and picnic under our stunning four-meter-wide indoor moon with your ghoul-friends. While you are there, stop by and hear some Moon Myths... whenever our ghostly host decides to appear.

Sportsworks  

6 TO 10PM | EXHIBITION 

Sportsworks is a place to leap, run, throw and row. You can race against Cathy Freeman, try out for soccer goalkeeper, and zoom down the slopes in our snowboarding simulator. You'll also find out why sports have their own specialised footwear, balls and other gear.

DJ Dub Darko

6 TO 10PM | Live Music

DJ Dub Darko djing with lights and lasers in the background.
DJ Dub Darko / Source: DJ Dub Darko

Enjoy the Sportworks Gallery while listening to Dub Darko spin lofi and house tunes, with a few spooky tracks mixed in, all night. While everyone else is racing Cathy Freeman, why not start a dancefloor? We double dare you.

Think Ahead  

6 TO 10PM | EXHIBITION 

People walking through Think Ahead Exhibition at Scienceworks After Dark.
Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Carlin and Camera

Explore the Think Ahead gallery under a new light, as you search for the fifteen freaky facts hidden within. Explore our collection items to discover some chilling new information as you investigate all this space has to offer.

Phantom Photo Booth

6 TO 10PM | PHOTO BOOTH

People using a photo booth and props at Scienceworks.
Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Jon Augier

You’ve gone to all the trouble of dressing up and coming out tonight, why not take a photo to remember this special occasion? The photo booth has props to accentuate your ~lewks~ and you can opt for print or digital prints. Would be rude not to!

Frightening Fable

6:30, 7:30 & 8:30pm | Tinkertown

A lamp-light fireside beanbag catch-up at Scienceworks After Dark.
Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Carlin and Camera

Science does incredible things, but there are also some weird things going on. Join our host by the campfire as they recount some tales from “the poisoners corridor”, a region on the periodic table inhabited by toxic scoundrels and radioactive miscreants. Hear more here.

Spooky Snacks

Bar staff serving drinks at the November 2023 Nocturnal.
Being filled with wonder is thirsty work! / Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Lisa Businovski

Stop by our pop up food stall to find some freaky food and creepy cocktails to enjoy! Highlights include Frankenstein Fries, Vampire Bites, Pumpkin Pizza (don’t tell Jack O’Lantern) and the Blood red Negroni cocktails. Yum!

ACCESSIBILITY

Please view our accessibility page for general information. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your visit.