Fall Museum Parties

October is kids free month in San Diego, hooking the little ones up with free access to amusement parks, museums and activities, from LegoLand in Carlsbad to the New Children’s Museum downtown. And as a thank you to paying parents, San Diego cultural institutions are hosting exclusive after-hours events.

Adults-only soirees are taking over San Diego museums this fall. Kick off the arts season with Culture & Cocktails at The San Diego Museum of Art, indulge your sweet tooth with The Sweet Science of Chocolate at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and question the nature of identity at the Halloween-inspired Art After Dark at the Oceanside Museum of Art. And as a bonus, many of these parties are also free for museum members.  

Discover after hours San Diego museum parties this fall.

Culture & Cocktails: The Human Beast at SDMA – Thursday, Oct. 4

Any good party brings out your inner beast. The San Diego Museum of Art’s new installment of Culture & Cocktails takes inspiration from The Human Beast, a German Expressionist exhibition currently on display. Head to the museum after hours to explore the exhibit as the dark circus group Cirque Berzerk performs live. More event perks will include DIY monster masks, cocktail stations and a Funhouse Lounge with funhouse mirrors and a talking photo booth. 6 to 9 p.m., free for members, $15 for nonmembers. sdmart.org

The Sweet Science of Chocolate at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center – Thursday, Oct. 18

It’s time to discover a decadent new side of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. This time, leave the kiddies at home and treat yourself to an evening of sweet and savory sensory exploration. Prepare your taste buds for a beer and chocolate pairing by Stone Catering, artisan chocolates from Eclipse, and specialty cocktails by BarWorks. The evening will also offer group activities, from deep freezing ice cream, to designing your own chocolate. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers. rhfleet.org

Tower After Hours: Germany at SDMoM – Thursday, Oct. 25

The San Diego Museum of Man is channeling the Oktoberfest party spirit for this season’s Tower After Hours event. Gather around the museum’s grand rotunda at Balboa Park to celebrate German culture with traditional food tastings, beer samplings from the La Jolla Brew House, and live entertainment. 6 to 8 p.m., $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. museumofman.org

Art After Dark: Come As You Aren’t at OMA – Friday, Oct. 26

The Oceanside Museum of Art’s signature after hours event is taking a dark turn just in time for Halloween. Come dressed as anything but yourself in honor of the museum’s current exhibit YOU: Investigating Identity. Spooky party perks will include a live performance by The Creepy Creeps, a haunted staircase, live art and creature projections, body painting, a tribute dance performance to A Nightmare Before Christmas, appetizers, craft beer and wine. 7 to 10 p.m., $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers. oma-online.org

Thursday Night Thing at MCASD – Thursday, Nov. 29

The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts bi-monthly Thursday Night Thing events, featuring new art exhibitions, art-making activities, food truck eats, cocktail stations and live music from local bands. Stay tuned for details on MCASD’s fall edition of TNT coming this November to the Jacobs Building downtown. 7 to 10 p.m., free for members, $10 for nonmembers. mcasd.org

Discover more San Diego art events happening this October