NightTales at the Natural History Museum

NightTales takes the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County after dark and lights it up. Starting November 12, the museum's halls and gardens fill with glowing installations, cinematic projections and artwork by Maggie West, all inspired by the collections and the natural world. If you are scanning for things happening in Los Angeles this holiday season, this is a rare chance to see a familiar museum in a very different mood.

When: Select nights, November 12, 2026 through January 10, 2027 (opening night starts at 6:00 PM) Where: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Exposition Park Tickets: Sold through the museum, see the link below

What to expect

The museum describes NightTales as a premium indoor and outdoor experience rather than a traditional light show. Specimens you may know from daytime visits are reimagined with light, sound and projected imagery, and the idea is to look at the natural world as art, science and technology meeting in one place.

Highlights listed for the event:

• Glowing installations and cinematic projections across indoor and outdoor spaces
• Fresh perspectives on nature, told through light and sound
• Museum collections encountered in unexpected ways

Expect a walk rather than a seated show. You move through the halls and gardens at your own pace, which suits a couple, a group of friends or a family outing with older kids who like a bit of spectacle after sunset.

Planning your visit

NightTales runs only on select nights, so check the museum's calendar before you pick a date. The museum notes that the event takes place in selected museum and garden spaces, and other areas stay closed while it runs. That means it is not a substitute for a regular daytime visit to the dioramas and exhibit halls.

Dress for the weather, since part of the route is outdoors in the gardens, and give yourself time to wander without rushing. Exposition Park is well served by the Metro E Line, and driving or rideshare works too if you would rather not take transit at night. Pricing was not listed on the source page we checked, so confirm ticket details with the museum before you go.

Why it makes the list

Museums rarely get to be moody and theatrical, and NightTales leans into that. With the run stretching across the holidays, it works for visitors and locals alike, and it fits neatly into a night out alongside other upcoming events in Los Angeles. Browse more in arts and culture for similar nights.

Full details and the ticket link are on the Discover Los Angeles listing.