These school holidays, the Museum is coming alive after-dark in an all-new family adventure - and it's Top Secret!
WED 30 SEP (SOLD OUT)
FRI 2, SAT 3, SUN 4, WED 7, FRI 9 & SAT 10 OCT
6.30PM - 9PM, DOORS OPEN 5.30PM
GENERAL TICKETS $40, DOOR SALES $45
MEMBERS RECEIVE 10% DISCOUNT
Do you accept your mission to protect the Museum's secrets?
Then grab your torch and join us for Night at Auckland Museum: Top Secret as the Museum transforms with an evening of storytelling, live performers, activities and games.
The story begins with two rival professors. Brilliant Professor Maven Sage has discovered a magic formula that brings museum objects to life so they can share their secrets. But Maven’s devious arch-rival, Professor Erroneous Fussbucket, is prowling the galleries, determined to steal the magic formula for his own fame and fortune. Professor Sage needs your family's help to protect the awakened objects and keep her discovery safe.
Torch in hand, make your way through the darkened Museum, following the clues to meet an extraordinary cast of larger-than-life performers.
Travel through time and across Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and beyond, with colourful stories to hear, secrets to discover, and hands-on activities to try.
Help prepare for a voyage across the Pacific, learn traditional fishing skills, make a talisman inspired by ancient Greek gods, put your stealth to the test and more. Every step is a new adventure.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the Museum’s resident life-size dinosaurs in a special theatre show in the Auditorium - they’re hard to miss!
By collecting a magical symbol in your Mission Passport at every encounter, you’ll be helping Professor Sage keep the Museum’s secrets safe from the villainous Professor Fussbucket.
If you’re feeling creative, dress up as your favourite Museum object. Costumes are optional but there will be spot prizes for our favourite creations on the night.
Now that the secret’s out, tickets will sell fast. So get your whānau together, grab a torch and experience the magic of Night at Auckland Museum:Top Secret, our after-dark family adventure like no other.
Recommended age is 6-12. Ages 3 years and under are free. Please bring a torch as they are not provided. Please note the programme is subject to change without notice.
What to expect at Night at Auckland Museum:
Three floors of after-dark adventure, packed with activities, entertainment and surprises for the whole family
Explore the darkened Museum by torchlight and see familiar galleries in a whole new way
Get hands-on together with games, crafts, traditional skills and challenges to try along the way
Meet an extraordinary cast of performers bringing people and stories from the collections to life
Encounter life-size dinosaurs in a special theatre show in the Auditorium
Complete your top-secret Mission Passport as you visit each encounter and help Professor Sage keep the Museum's secrets safe
Accessible options
We're offering New Zealand Sign Language interpretation for one designated night of the season, with the help of Platform Interpreting NZ.
Our NZSL ticketholders will experience Night at Auckland Museum together, moving between activations as a group. This limits the number of tickets we have available, so we recommend getting in quick!
Frequently asked questions
Night at Auckland Museum is an immersive funfest filled with actors and activities. You’ll encounter many theatrical characters throughout the galleries over three levels.
The characters will have stories to share and activities to engage in: some involve joining in and having a go; and others you can just enjoy watching. All audience participation is entirely optional, so please feel free to do as much or as little as you are comfortable with.
We believe there is something for visitors of all ages in this programme. The most suitable age group is between 6 and 12 years.
Please enter Auckland Museum via the South Atrium entrance into Te Ao Mārama. Doors will open from 5.30pm for those who are wanting to have dinner at Tuitui Bistro or use Puku Nui, our kai room, if you have brought your own dinner. Please note the actual event does not start until 6.30pm.
Yes, there is limited parking in the Museum’s underground carpark. This will be open for the evening, at a special discounted rate of $11.50. Closure of the carpark will coincide with the end of the event.
There will be free parking up to 180 minutes around the Museum and the Domain.
See here for full details on transport options and parking details.
Plan to arrive before 6.30pm. Upon entering each family will be given a map to help navigate the event. You’ll also be given a timed entry sticker for a 20-minute surprise presentation in the Grand Foyer.
At 6.30pm, the event will begin with a short welcome and overview by your host for the evening, Professor Maven Sage. You’ll be guided to your first location by a host. After that, you can use your map to explore and seek out the other characters and activities in your own time.
No, you can explore at your own pace with your own group – the Museum galleries are open for your exploration. But don’t forget to head to the Grand Foyer on the ground floor at the time specified on your sticker for your scheduled surprise presentation.
Our tickets are the same price for both adults and children. Early bird tickets are available until Monday 14 September at $35 each. From Tuesday 15 September, tickets are $40 per person. Door sales will be $45 (subject to availability). Members receive a 10% discount on all prices.
Galleries will be darker than usual, but you’ll be able to safely explore without a torch. If you’d like to bring one, a torch will help you navigate around and will add to the fun.
If you’re in a costume mood, you can dress up as a museum object. There will be spot prizes for our favourite costumes on the night. Please follow the Museum’s pest management policy, by avoiding any organic materials in your costumes.
Temperatures can vary across the Museum at night, so it’s best to bring layered clothing. The event takes place across the whole Museum so wear sensible shoes. Bags over 40cm x 15cm x 35cm must be checked into a self-service locker, in Te Ao Mārama.
All the evening’s advertised activities can be accessed via lifts or ramps.
As well as Puku Nui, our designated kai space, there will be Quiet Nooks on each level of the Museum. You can refer to the map you are given on arrival to find these.
Yes! Fidget spinners, ear defenders and any comfort items you’d like to bring with you are welcome at Night at Auckland Museum. Just keep in mind that large bags cannot be taken into the galleries, but we have self-service lockers in Te Ao Mārama for you to use.
We recommend one adult for a maximum of four kids as this event is self-guided.
Of course! Take lots of photos for memories of the event, but please try not to interfere with the activities taking place.
You can bring bottled water with you, but no food or drinks are allowed in the Museum galleries.
Yes, our Tuitui bistro will be open from 5.30pm, with last orders being taken at 7.30pm, if you need to quench your thirst or fill your tummies. Please click here for menu options.
We are also happy for you to BYO food to eat before the event starts. You can enjoy this in Puku Nui, our kai room in Te Ao Mārama which will be open from 5.30pm. Please be a tidy kiwi and clean up after yourselves.