MoChiMu After Dark invites adults 18+ to unique after-hours events filled with unique activities, grown-up crafts, and community partner connections with a new theme every month! Unleash your inner nerd all while supporting MoChiMu’s mission to enrich the lives of all children by nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and a love of lifelong learning!

Must be 18+ to purchase and attend.

MoChiMu After Dark snacks

and drinks provided by…

Nerd out on all things science, fantasy, and fiction at MoChiMu After Dark: Swords, Sorcery, and Sci-Fi! In this genre-crossing evening, you can explore MoChiMu’s ten interactive exhibit areas (without the kids), join in on one-night-only hands-on activities and challenges, create your own mythical sidekick, and even craft a magic wand to your exact specifications…

Break out your boombox, bucket hats, HitClips, and kickball… the ‘90s are back at MoChiMu After Dark: ‘90s Summer Camp! Relish in summer camp snacks and legendary “bug juice,” weave friendship bracelets and bead lizards, challenge your crew to classic board games, and even take to the Tall Tales Stage for karaoke with Britney, NSYNC, Spice Girls, and more!

Discover your hidden superpowers at MoChiMu After Dark: Superheroes & Science. At this thrilling after-hours event, you can explore the museum’s super-ified exhibits without the kids while also harnessing the powers of levitation, flight, elasticity, weather control, and more through hands-on activities and crafts.

Look to the stars and find your path at MoChiMu After Dark: Cosmic Curiosities… Join us for a beguiling evening filled with metaphysical happenings, otherworldly crafts, and universal wonders, all while exploring the hands-on exhibits of MoChiMu! More details and partners coming soon!

Ring in the Year of the Horse with MoChiMu After Dark: Lunar New Year – an after-hours cultural festival inspired by Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese traditions. Craft paper lanterns, create New Year shakers, practice traditional calligraphy, and add your wishes for a prosperous New Year to our wish tree. More details and partners coming soon!

Whether you’re an amateur or an artiste extraordinaire, unleash your inner creative at MoChiMu After Dark: Artists’ Loft. This one-night-only after hours evening is your chance to experiment with the process of creativity. Paint, sculpt, and weave in hands-on experiences across the museum; enjoy snacks and sparkling water as you chill out in creative lounges, and much more. More details and partners coming soon!

Return to the year that changed it all at MoChiMu After Dark: Y2K. Join us for a faux countdown to midnight and an after-dark celebration of the pop culture that kicked off the New Millennium. It was the era of reality TV, social media, Razor scooters, iPods, and auto-tune… we’ll relive it all with hands-on experiences across MoChiMu’s ten exhibit areas! More details and partners coming soon!

Tickets on sale soon!

  • For spring of 2025 through summer of 2026, we have six MoChiMu After Dark events to explore. Each night is packed with exclusive activities designed just for adults. Come to one, or all of them!

    April 25th: Swords, Sorcery, and Sci-Fi

    June 27th: 90s Summer Camp

    August 29th: Superheroes & Science

    and more!

  • MoChiMu After Dark admission includes light snacks and beverages. Alcohol is not served on-site… but many guests choose to make MoChiMu After Dark just the start of a night of exploration in Downtown Modesto!

  • MoChiMu After Dark invites adults to explore the Modesto Children’s Museum without the kids and enjoy a night of themed experiences in Downtown Modesto. Throughout the museum, guests can find interactive activities that align with the nightly theme in addition to experiencing our exhibitry like never before!

  • MoChiMu After Dark is exclusively for adults 18-and-up, so leave the kids at home! We invite you to purchase general admission to MoChiMu or attend one of our family-focused Try-It-Together Workshops to explore the museum with your children!

  • Yes! To purchase tickets in bulk, call our Director of Education at 209-232-6060 ex. 102. You may also want to host an exclusive and private After Dark by renting MoChiMu for your corporate event.

  • Because of the special activities curated just for each After Dark event, the food and beverage included with admission, and to support the Museum’s mission-based programs and access initiatives, we ask that Members purchase admission to After Dark. Member discounts on After Dark will be made available in 2025!

BE A KID AGAIN…!

When the sun sets, Modesto Children’s Museum transforms into a laboratory of learning just for adults. MoChiMu After Dark invites individuals 18 and up to rediscover the joys of childhood. Build, climb, slide, splash, play, and explore across two floors and 11,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, and dive into After Dark-exclusive activities with a new theme every time.

Whether it’s a date night, a friend group getaway, or a playful start to a night in Downtown Modesto, mark your calendars for the next MoChiMu After Dark… and save on advanced purchase tickets!