Arizona – Sonora Desert Museum: Cool Summer Nights – Bat Night
The Desert Museum is lovely during the day, but it’s even cooler after dark!
Join us every Saturday night throughout the summer to beat the heat while learning something neat! The desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake. Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, beavers splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities.
August 27 — Bat Night
Are you feeling batty? Come celebrate the only flying mammals — bats! The evening will be filled with fun, educational activities, talks, and crafts designed to help you better appreciate these amazing aerial acrobats! Bring your flashlight and explore, look for our elusive bat girl, grab a local beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, and feel the touch of a stingray.
- Specialty Cocktail
- “Bat Brew”
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Go Batty with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation!
- Explore the fascinating lives of bats through hands-on activities for children, families, and educators. Measure and identify life-sized model bats, learn how a bat’s body is perfectly built for flight, discover the ecological services these mammals provide, and explore the diversity of bats in Arizona and around the world. Join us in the Riparian Corridor to celebrate these mammals for the superheroes they truly are!
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Bat-tastic Scavenger Hunt
- Follow the clues for a Bat-tacular Prize
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Make Your Own Bat Mask and More Crafts
- Come be creative and design your own bat mask, make a hanging bat decoration, and more.
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Get Down with Your Bat Selfie
- Visit our Selfie Station to take pictures with the Bat Back-drop and lots of fun props
- 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. Basically Bats
- Are bats flying rodents? Are they blind? Do they fly into people’s hair? If you find yourself unsure of these and other bat-related questions, come learn with Crystal Holcombe at this fun, theater presentation.
- Throughout the Night
- Look for Museum Docents around the grounds interpreting live animals, celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more!
- 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit
- Summertime isn’t complete without a trip to the pool! Dip your hands in the water and experience the touch of a stingray. $3.00/person, $2.00/Museum members.
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Packrat Playhouse
- This indoor play space allows children to discover the desert through the eyes of a packrat! Packrat Playhouse may reach capacity. 30-minute reserved play times are available at the Packrat Playhouse entrance.
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits
- Make sure to check out our latest art exhibits in the Ironwood Gallery and Baldwin Education Building!
- Audience: Adult, Teen, Youth
- Genre: Field Sciences
- Type: Expo/Festival, Field Trip/Outdoor Activity