My kids loved the Night at the Museum movies when they were young. They were favorites of my husband's and mine, too! In fact, we still quote the famous "firepower' line in our family to this day.
So, when we had the opportunity, years ago, to visit our favorite museums at night, for free, we jumped at the chance. We visited tried and trues and museums that we had never been to before. There was a free shuttle to bring us to each location, so we didn't have to worry about directions or parking. We had a blast. It is one of our favorite family memories.
I can't guarantee that the exhibits will come to life at night, but it is definitely a must-do, no matter what age you are! And you're in luck, because Free Night at the Museums is happening on November 8.
Free Night at the Museums is an opportunity for some of Denver's best museums to stay open late and offer free admission. This year, visit your favorites on Saturday, November 8 from 5pm to 10pm. To make it even easier to explore, FREE shuttles will be available, stopping at or near different museums in downtown Denver.
Listed below are the participating museums. Be sure to check each museum's website before you head out for any updates or changes to the Night at the Museum schedule.
Participating Museums
Learn about the role that African Americans played in the settlement and growth of the western United States through its collections, programs and exhibits. While famous for telling the story of the Black cowboys, the museum tells the stories of those early African Americans who came west and performed as miners, soldiers, homesteaders, ranchers, blacksmiths. schoolteachers, lawmen and every other profession needed to build up and develop the West.
Center for Colorado Women's History
Enter at 1310 Bannock St. for a free open house style tour of the first floor of the Center for Colorado Women's History. A brief portion of our current exhibit, Ms. Destiny will be available to view during the abbreviated tour.
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Release your inner child at the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus during Night at the Museums, when adults are allowed in the Museum without children. Come launch rockets in Energy, see who can make the biggest bubble, create a masterpiece in The Art Studio and so much more. Presenting Denver will be onsite for a special performance featuring local artists!
The Clyfford Still Museum pairs Night at the Museums with an SCFD Free Day, so we are open and free from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on November 8. Visitors will explore the newly opened exhibition (opening September 19), “Tell Clyfford I Said ‘Hi’”: An Exhibition Curated by Children of the Colville Confederated Tribes. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the groundbreaking new exhibition, which engages new perspectives and encourages reflection and joy.
Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL)
Explore the CELL’s immersive experience investigating the root causes of violent extremism and learn how to help prevent future threats. Through interactive displays and multimedia presentations, you'll see how world leaders use language as a weapon and how state-sponsored terrorism affects both domestic and global security. Join us on November 2 for an evening of learning and empowerment. Be vigilant through everyday scenario simulations and become a champion of change for a safer, more inclusive community. This evening is part of our Free Days at the CELL, from 10am to 10pm.
To celebrate Night at the Museums, the DAM will stay open later and general admission will be free. Come and explore the museum campus, including The Kirkland, at night! With innovative creative spaces, incredible views, multiple buildings filled with inspiring art from around the world and across time, there is something for everyone to love. Entry to The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism requires an additional $15 ticket. Advance ticket purchase is recommended if your plans include seeing this exhibition, which features more than 80 paintings from the first impressionist and is only on view for a limited time!
See historic fire engines and more at Denver Firefighters Museum, a space that preserves the history of the Denver Fire Department and firefighting through the collection and preservation of artifacts, documents and photographs. Experience the new rotating exhibit: Denver Fire Dept. Repair Shop, all about the history of the DFD Repair Shop on the museum's second floor! Did you ever wonder who takes care of Denver's fire vehicles? Meet the DFD Repair Shop and learn how it changed from the era of horse-drawn fire vehicles to today.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Explore art, music, nature and science at the Museum as we join many of Denver’s cultural institutions in a free evening celebrating Denver Arts Week! Take a closer look at the art throughout Museum exhibitions, visit our temporary exhibition “The Secret World of Elephants” and add on a paid ticket to catch a laser light concert in the Gates Planetarium or a giant screen documentary in the Infinity Theater.
Located just 30 minutes west of Denver near Red Rocks Park at Morrison, Dinosaur Ridge is offering free special activities and crafts in our exhibit hall, and $10/person guided flashlight tours of the Nation’s #1 Dinosaur Tracksite.
Forney Museum of Transportation
The Forney Museum of Transportation is a one-of-a-kind collection of more than 600 artifacts relating to historical transportation. Volunteers will be available to give tours of our trains and get hands on with our kids craft center.
Four Mile Historic Park is a gateway to Denver’s Western heritage, offering a vibrant 12-acre oasis with a working farm and Denver’s oldest standing structure, the Four Mile House Museum. Join us for Night at the Museums and experience campfire stories, a craft station, prairie games and tours of the Four Mile House.
Freyer - Newman Center at Denver Botanic Gardens
Visitors enjoy free admission to the Freyer – Newman Center for Science, Art & Education to explore art and science through exhibitions, music, fabulous fungi and library activities. No access to the gardens
Artifacts, stories and art intermingle to tell the tale of Colorado and the American West. The museum is designed for multi-generational audiences and consists of more than 15 exhibits spanning four floors.
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art at the Denver Art Museum
To celebrate Night at the Museums, The Kirkland will stay open later and general admission will be free. Come and explore the museum campus, including the DAM, at night!
Experience exhibitions on view, enjoy the rooftop cafe with city views and peruse the MCA Denver shop.
The historic home of Titanic survivor and famed Colorado resident, Margaret "Molly" Brown, will be open for Night at the Museums! Walk back in time and learn about Brown's life as you self-explore her Denver home. See the Funeral Practices Exhibit on display: Step into Mrs. Brown’s Victorian funeral parlor and learn about death watch, hair wreaths and Denver’s connection to embalming. You’ll meet those who have died in the house and who might still be here!
Morrison Natural History Museum
Guests will have the opportunity to join us for special stations set up throughout our museum, which will delve into the world of local dinosaurs and paleontology. We will also have special activity stations, which will include a chance to "Dig at Night" and join us at a special station outside, where we will show them how to use tools to uncover fossils. Guests will also have the opportunity to join us behind the scenes on a special tour of our research lab, where they can witness fossil preparation projects.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Museo de las Americas after hours, enjoy free shuttles to the best museums in Denver, challenge yourself with our scavenger hunt, and become a part of our vibrant community. Completed scavenger hunts will be entered into a raffle for a free group membership.
Discover a unique space dedicated to celebrating the rich art, culture and heritage of Black women. The museum features interactive exhibits designed to honor and uplift the contributions of Black female artists and cultural icons.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Transport yourself to a different time and place. Our exhibits allow you to get up close and personal with historic aircraft, artifacts and memorabilia and explore the future of aviation and space through immersive events and realistic flight simulators. Experience the limited time exhibits: Stories from Colorado Skies: Combs Gallery or The Amelia Project.
Catch a free shuttle during Night at the Museums for even easier adventures!
Please note that Dinosaur Ridge and Morrison Natural History Museum are not included on official shuttle routes.
A Route
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- Black American West Museum
- Forney Museum of Transportation
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science
B Route
- Denver Art Museum (also servicing: the CELL, Clyfford Still Museum, The Kirkland and Center for Colorado Women's History)
- Museum for Black Girls
- MCA Denver
- Denver Art Museum (also servicing: the CELL, Clyfford Still Museum, The Kirkland and Center for Colorado Women's History)
C Route
- Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
- Denver Art Museum (also servicing: the CELL, Clyfford Still Museum, The Kirkland and Center for Colorado Women's History)
- Denver Firefighters Museum
- Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
D Route
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- Denver Art Museum (also servicing: the CELL, Clyfford Still Museum, The Kirkland and Center for Colorado Women's History)
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science
E Route
- Denver Art Museum (also servicing: the CELL, Clyfford Still Museum, The Kirkland and Center for Colorado Women's History)
- Museo de las Americas
- History Colorado Center
- Denver Art Museum (also servicing: the CELL, Clyfford Still Museum, The Kirkland and Center for Colorado Women's History)
F Route
- History Colorado Center
- Molly Brown House Museum
- Freyer - Newman Center at Botanic Gardens
- History Colorado Center
G Route
- Wings Over the Rockies
- Four Mile Historic Park
- Freyer - Newman Center at Denver Botanic Gardens
- Wings Over the Rockies
For EVEN MORE Denver Arts Week fun, visit Denver Arts Week.
