San Francisco gets a Halloween celebration with a curious twist on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when the Exploratorium hosts After Dark: Creepatorium at Pier 15, from 6 to 10 p.m. The adults-only evening (ages 18 and up) turns spooky season into a playful science party, inviting guests to face their fears and discover the fascinating science behind what makes our skin crawl.
The night is packed with hands-on fun. Entomologist Ralph Washington, Jr. explores why bugs fascinate and frighten us, and guides brave visitors through up-close encounters with a cockroach, a tarantula, a scorpion and other misunderstood multi-legged marvels. The museum’s beloved cow eye dissection returns with seasonal flourishes, staff biologists uncover the biochemistry of venoms, and Stanford scientists show how virtual reality is helping people conquer phobias. In the Tinkering Studio, guests can hack a pumpkin with power tools and take their creation home.
Costumes are very much encouraged: the annual costume contest awards prizes for best science costume, best group costume and best overall costume. Visitors can also step into Strange Senses, a mixed-reality experience that lets you perceive the world like a bat, a mosquito or a snake, and enjoy the final night of the specially decorated Haunted Tactile Dome. All 700-plus interactive exhibits stay open throughout the evening. Advance tickets are recommended, and the Tactile Dome requires a separate reservation. Happy City News wishes everyone a brilliantly spooky night of discovery on the waterfront!
Photo: Exploratorium
