I finally got inside the Natural History Museum after dark and not one dinosaur offered to play fetch with me. Apparently Night at the Museum was not a documentary. However, NightTales had more going for it than my completely reasonable expectation of befriending a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

I’ve wanted to see this museum at night for years. NightTales finally gave me a reason to go with artwork, lights, and projections spread between parts of the museum and its outdoor spaces.
Los Angeles artist Maggie West created the artwork using photographs of real specimens from NHM’s collection, captured under colored lighting. According to the museum, those images became the basis for the larger installations throughout the experience.

The art is beautiful, but the projections around the museum were my favorite part. I loved watching them tell stories around the exhibits. There was something special about seeing a place I already wanted to explore after dark presented in a completely different way. Seeing the Rotunda lit up and the Dueling Dinos glowing definitely made me pause and take it all in.

Check the Weather Before You Go

We spent most of our visit outside in the gardens and courtyards, so dress for the weather.

This is not a “leave the hoodie in the car because we’ll be inside” situation. I know carrying it around is annoying, but being cold for a large part of the evening is more annoying.

Is NightTales Worth Checking Out?

I’d recommend this as a date night or a night out with friends when you want something other than dinner or drinks. For me, getting to experience the museum after dark was a highlight. The artwork gave me plenty to look at, the projections were brilliant and seeing those dinosaur skeletons at night was something I’d wanted to do for a long time.

Dates, Tickets & Getting There

• Dates: Select nights from November 12, 2026, through January 10, 2027.
• Timed entry: 6 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. Check the booking calendar for availability and current ticket prices.
• Location: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., in Exposition Park.
• Event entrance: NightTales guests should check in at the NHM Commons entrance.
• Parking: General event parking in Exposition Park’s Blue Structure. After-hours parking payments are cashless.
Tickets and details: nhm.org/nighttales

Thank you NHM for inviting me to your media event. NightTales is a joint venture between BeSixth and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, with artwork by Maggie West.

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