Special Events

DinoNight!

Event has passed.
  • Parent and child taking a selfie in front of animatronic T Rex
    Enjoy larger-than-life photo ops...
  • Smiling child with face paint
    Get a prehistoric face paint look...
  • Magician holding a multicolored umbrella and cloth
    Pull up a chair for a magic show...
  • Doloresaurus
    Dance with the glow-tastic Doloresaurus...
  • Academy staff holding a dinosaur puppet while a child interacts with it
    ...it's sure to be a roaring good party!
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DinoNight!
Friday, May 2
6–9:30 p.m.

Adult (18+): $49.99 ($24.99 members)
Youth (3–17): $24.99 ($14.99 members)
EBT/CalFresh, WIC, Lifeline Pass, Medi-Cal (all ages): $10

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Get ready for a prehistoric party!

Break out your best dinosaur gear and stomp over to see what our animals get up to after hours. We're throwing a prehistoric party among the visiting life-size animatronic dinosaurs in Dino Days with hands-on crafts, magic shows, a costume parade, and more. Whether you’re a tiny T. rex or a daring explorer, there's something for everyone at this colossal celebration!

Become a member today and save 50% on DinoNight! tickets!

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Fossil fun

Two children mimicking animatronic dinosaur

Get ready for a host of dino-mite activities and special programming:

  • Unleash your inner artist with dino field sketching, an origami dino craft, and button-making
  • Stomp through your favorite exhibits, open late
  • Get a prehistoric glow-up from face-painting artists
  • Snap a pic with disco-loving dinosaur Doloresaurus
  • Be dazzled by magic shows
  • Dance and roar through the museum during a dino costume parade
  • Get an up-close look at asteroids during a planetarium show 
  • Enjoy specialty menu items in our Café
  • and more!
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Event details

Click to expand each section for more information about ticket prices, exhibit access, and more.

Exhibit access

Please note that Osher Rainforest and Morrison Planetarium have special hours and restrictions:

  • Planetarium passes are required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Scan the QR code in the lobby when you arrive to reserve. Shows may not be appropriate for children under 7, and we regret that we cannot permit any child under 4.
  • Last entry into the rainforest exhibit is 7:30 p.m. Our animals need their sleep!
Reduced admission

We are pleased to offer tickets at a discounted rate for guests with an EBT/CalFresh, WIC, Lifeline Pass, or Medi-Cal card. Upon arrival, present your card at the ticket window to receive your discounted $10 adult and youth admission tickets for this special event. 

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Children’s Puppet Theater: Choose Your Own Sauropod Adventure

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Wordmark for DinoNight! event at Cal Academy
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The Academy's first-ever summer camp is now enrolling kids ages 9–11 for weeklong sessions between July 14–August 8! Each week features a different future-focused theme with activities that are hands-on, experiential, and play-based.

Register now