Special Nights at Museums

Many museums have opened their doors one evening a week... or month... and provide special entertainment for free.

Here are some examples of museums around the US that offer special evening programs.

To find museums in your area that offer special evening programs, search in Google for "museum evening program" plus the name of your city or town.

California

San Francisco

For special discounts on some San Francisco museum admissions and other discounts, check out CityPass.

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco's Thursday Night Performances start at 7 p.m. and are free with reduced $5 museum admission after 5 p.m. "You can count on the museum to come alive on Thursday nights with performances, demonstrations, and special lectures showcasing the art and culture from all corners of Asia."

Berkely Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive "First Impressions: Free First Thursdays at BAM/PFA Free admission to the galleries, public programs, and a 5:30 PFA screening, the first Thursday of every month." Supported, in part, by The Gap.

California Academy of Science's Third Thursdays "Shake things up, and surround yourself with clownfish, corals, cocktails and conversation during Third Thursdays at the California Academy of Sciences.... Explore natural science and aquarium exhibits while listening to musical entertainment and enjoying a cash bar." 5 to 9 p.m. $5 reduced admission.

Friday Nights at the new de Young Fine Arts Museum The museum stays open until 8:45 p.m., offering "... live music, artist demonstrations, films, dance performances, lectures, and tours. Interactive art projects focus on the collections and special exhibitions. Enjoy an evening of dining in the cafe, stroll through the Barbro Osher Sculpture Garden, and enjoy the view from the tower... Programs are free to the public except for presentations in the Koret Auditorium. Koret Auditorium programs are free to members and non-members after museum admission. A nominal fee will be charged to all others."

Florida

Miami and South Florida

LoweDown Happy Hour at the Lowe Art Museum on the University of Miami Campus on the first Thursdays of each month. According to SouthFlorida.com LoweDown Happy Hour features live jazz, light fare and complimentary cocktails courtesy of Bacardi... plus a guided tour of the current art exhibit with free admission.

Miami Art Museum's JAM at MAM "Join us every third Thursday from 5 – 8:30pm for MAM’s Happy Hour with an Artful Twist... draws a loyal crowd of young professionals, artists, and other 21 to 41 year-olds who share a curiosity about art and Miami’s growing art scene. Enjoy a drink from the donation bar and munch on gourmet snacks while you listen to the sounds of local DJs. Come check out the art as well as the scene.Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and Djs spinning laid back grooves... " MAM members free; Non-members $5

Illinois

Chicago

First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art Just $10 per person in advance, $14 at the door.

"At First Fridays, visitors can unwind after work and enjoy an intriguing mix of culture, ranging from live music and performance art to experimental films and hands-on art stations. First Fridays also hosts the opening night events for 12 x 12: New Artists/New Work , a series of monthly exhibitions featuring emerging Chicago artists.

"First Fridays tickets, which include museum admission, live entertainment, and complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d'oeuvres, are $14 ($7 for MCA members). Tickets are available the evening of the event. Doors are open from 6-10 pm. A cash bar is available until 9:30 pm. Guests must be 21 or older to enter ."

"Advance tickets are now available for $10 ($7 MCA members). Please call the MCA Box Office at 312.397.4010 or visit TicketWeb ."

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