September Nocturnal Neighbors

What comes alive at the Virginia Living Museum after the sun goes down?
Join us for Nocturnal Neighbors, a special after-hours experience exploring the Conservation Garden in search of some of the frogs, insects, and other wildlife that become active at night.
The evening begins with a short introduction to our nocturnal neighbors while our exploration gear is set up. Then, we’ll head into the Conservation Garden to look and listen for wildlife, investigate what’s visiting our blacklights, and learn more about the creatures we encounter along the way.
Professional partners from William & Mary, including Dr. Kristin Dunn, will join Virginia Living Museum Ectotherms staff and volunteers to help identify what we discover, share their expertise, and answer questions throughout the evening.
2026 Dates & Times
September 15 | 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Rain Date: September 17
Purchase Tickets for September
October 13 | 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Rain Date: October 15
Purchase Tickets for October
Start times change throughout the season to follow sunset and give us the best opportunity to explore after dark.
What to Expect
Most of the evening will be spent outdoors exploring the Conservation Garden in the dark. Because we’re observing wildlife in its natural habitat, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Guests will observe and learn about the animals we encounter, but insects and other wildlife will not be collected during the event.
Photos are encouraged, so bring your camera or phone if you’d like to document your discoveries!
Come Prepared for the Night
Please dress comfortably for spending approximately two hours outdoors after dark. Guests are encouraged to bring:
A flashlight or headlamp
Bug and/or amphibian identification guides
Comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather and outdoor exploration
Please note that strollers must be parked at the gate and cannot accompany guests into the Conservation Garden during the program.
Ages & Supervision
This program is recommended for ages 6 and up.
Guests ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Pricing
Members: $15 per person
Non-Members: $20 per person
Day-of registration increases by $3 per person.
Space is limited to 20 participants per evening, so advance registration is encouraged.
Important Registration Information
This is an outdoor, weather-dependent program. Each event has a designated rain date, and a minimum number of participants is required for the program to take place.
Please provide a current phone number and email address when registering so the Museum can contact you if the event must be moved to its rain date, rescheduled, or canceled.
This special program takes place in the Conservation Garden. Guests will not have access to the entire Museum during the event.
Purchase Tickets for September
Purchase Tickets for October