Nights at the Museum

Celebrate summer at the Australian Museum's (AM) new evening programs and enjoy late night entertainment, food, drinks, live music and free entry on Thursday nights this summer.

Part of the NSW Government's Culture Up Late initiative where Sydney's cultural institutions will be open for extended hours during the summer, the AM will be open from 5pm - 9pm on Thursday nights in January, February, and March 2021. Summer nights at the AM will give visitors the opportunity wander through the AM's new spaces and exhibitions and enjoy food and drink while being entertained by local DJs.

Visitors can simply walk into the AM for summer Nights at the Museum, tickets aren't required for this special after-hours experience. The AM's major exhibition Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family will also be open late on Thursday nights in January, February and March and entry fees apply.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said summer nights at the AM are the perfect way to help kickstart Sydney's night-time economy and contribute to the revitalisation of the Central Business District. "With its central location opposite Hyde Park, the Australian Museum is a key attraction for residents and visitors to our city, and offering extended evening hours at our premier cultural institutions is an important step in supporting our creative economy to be back up and running," Treasurer Perrottet said.

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said residents, local and interstate visitors can beat the summer heat and enjoy an evening of culture and science when the AM's doors stay open late this summer.

"With free general entry and extended hours on Thursday evenings, anyone can discover and enjoy all that Australia's first, and recently revamped museum, has to offer. From cultural experiences to science and innovation, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the transformed Australian Museum," Minister Harwin said.

Australian Museum's Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO said the newly transformed Australian Museum will come to life in a special way during extended Thursday evening hours at the AM this summer.

"There is something magical about the Museum at night, and we're thrilled to be able to extend our hours on Thursday evenings to provide a fun and vibrant space for people to connect and come together- which is now more important than ever. Visitors can pop in after work or after dinner on summer evenings and enjoy a 'Night at the Museum,' wandering through our exhibitions, encountering special talks, enjoying live music and even late-night shopping in our new AM store," McKay said.

Visitors can experience the following activities from 5pm to 9pm at the Australian Museum on Thursday January 7, 14, 21 and 28:
• Special pop-up bar and lounge area
• Live music featuring Sydney-based artists Ayebatonye, Terezatron and Salllvage
• Tyrannosaurus – Meet the Family (paid ticket required) and Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibitions open
• Three Objects Gallery Spotlight: A short introduction to the collections of the Westpac Long Gallery and Wild Planet Gallery through close examination of three key specimens.

Details for Nights at the Museum in February and March will be announced soon.

The AM reopened with free general admission following a 15-month transformation which significantly increased public spaces and improved amenities within the historic museum complex on the corner of William and College Streets.

Tickets are not required for free general admission which includes entry to all permanent exhibitions as well as the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition; however, paid tickets are required to attend major international exhibitions, including Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family. The AM is COVID Safe and is observing strict physical distancing and hygiene measures to protect the health of visitors and staff and minimise the spread of COVID-19.

The AM is open every day. Opening hours are 10am - 5pm daily, with new extended hours from 5pm - 9pm on Thursdays in January, February and March 2021. Learn more here