Nocturnal by Nature: Halloween at NCMNS
Nocturnal by Nature turned the science museum into something stranger after dark. Costumes, cocktails, live music, and after-hours exhibits gave the Raleigh night a little Halloween mischief.

Halloween is a time for dressing up, for spooky and chilling thrills, and for things that only come out at night. In Raleigh, there is no better place to celebrate this holiday than the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Held every year, the museum’s Nocturnal by Nature event offers adults the chance to experience Halloween in a festive and educational way. An added benefit: all the proceeds go to support the museum’s conservation and educational efforts!
Daniel and I elected to attend the event as Gryffindor students, and joining us were our friends Amanda and Winslow (aka, the flying squirrels from the embedded video above). Not only did we all get to experience the childlike joy of learning something new about the museum’s nocturnal creatures, we also were treated to more “grown-up” treats, like the spooktacular sounds of a string ensemble and delicious themed libations like “Boo-berry” Old Fashioneds and Starry Nights (vodka and champagne cocktail). This night of frights really delivered, and we cannot wait to attend next year!
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