Free Night at the Museums

Visit the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center to 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.

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. 

During Night at the Museums, we welcome our whole community and adults are allowed in the Museum with or 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. Plus, we’ve teamed up with Presenting Denver for a very special dance 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. We will host our monthly family artmaking workshop (and storytime) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Maker Mornings: Nature and Art will be free and is great for families with children 15 months to age 8, with siblings of all ages welcome (no registration required). 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.

Explore the CELL Exhibit’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 Nov. 8 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 SCFD 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 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!

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. 

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.

Museum admission is free from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, November 8. 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. We can’t wait to see you there! 

Join Dinosaur Ridge for Night at the Museums this November 8 for some unique fossil exploration and hand-on activities for all ages! 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. Our gift shop will be open late as well for some late-night shopping during this after-hours event!

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.