Western Night (Cool Summer Nights)
Schedule
Sat Jun 27 2026 at 06:00 pm to 10:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, United States, Arizona 85743 | Tucson, AZ
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Dust off your boots and grab your 'cowboy' hat because we're celebrating our western heritage! Dive into local history with a talk by Tohono O'odham rancher Mr. Johnson Sr. and learn about ranching and conservation from Sara King with the Altar alley Conservation Alliance. Live music by Mamma Coal. Western wear encouraged however please leave all weapons (real or fake) at home.🌵 Tonight's Schedule:
Hands-on Activities and Education:
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Learn from our tabling community partners in the Baldwin Education Building, and wind down with the whole family at our craft station.
Live Music on the Ironwood Patio:
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Mamma Coal brings the sounds of country and Americana music to set the mood for tonight!
Presentations in the Warden Oasis Theater:
6:30 p.m. Wapkial Himdag / Cowboy Way of Life
Listen to Silas Johnson Sr., a respected cowboy, rancher, and cultural mentor from the Tohono O'odham Nation, describe the cultural journey of an O'odham Cowboy from child to elder. From growing up on a family-owned ranch on the Tohono O'odham Nation, to founding the Horse Camp in 1999, to present day where he continues to compete in All Indian Rodeos... Silas is the real deal. He blends traditional knowledge with practical ranching skills. Hear his words of wisdom, as third-generation cowboy, who has spent 60 years navigating a changing world to preserve culture, natural resources, and livestock.
8:00 p.m. Ranching and Conservation in the Altar Valley
Hear Sarah King from the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance share her expertise. As the Executive Director of the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, former backcountry horseback guide, and someone who lives and works on a ranch, listeners are in for a treat!
Throughout the Night:
Look for Museum Docents around grounds interpreting live animals, celestial desert skies, fluorescent minerals, bats, kissing bugs, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and more!
6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Stingray Touch Exhibit
Admission: $2 Members / $4 Non-Members
Visitors are able to create their own moments with these captivating creatures at the Stingray Touch experience. The pool features cow nose stingrays that guests can interact with. Be touched by a ray!
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Packrat Playhouse
This indoor play space allows children to discover the desert through the eyes of a packrat! Packrat Playhouse may reach capacity. 30-minute reserved play times are available at the Packrat Playhouse entrance.
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Art Exhibits
Make sure to check out 'Desert Dreams: Miniature Masterpieces' by the Arizona Pastel Artists Association in the Ironwood Gallery and 'Baldwin in the Baldwin'!
Signature Drink — Sweet Tea Mojito: Mint infused Vodka, Lemonade, Iced Tea
🌙 ABOUT COOL SUMMER NIGHTS:
Open till 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays June–August! Cool Summer Nights is included with Museum Admission.
The Desert Museum is lovely during the day, but it’s even cooler after dark! Join us every Saturday night throughout the summer to beat the heat while learning something neat! The desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake: Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, otters splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a refreshing drink and wander, experience a live animal encounter, scamper in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, or participate in special nightly activities.
Learn more: https://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/events_saturday_csn
Consider joining our membership program. A lot of bang for your buck! Learn more: http://www.desertmuseum.org/members/
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Where is it happening?
2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, United States, Arizona 85743Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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