The expanded nighttime programming reflects a growing appetite for after-hours cultural experiences across San Diego, blending education, entertainment, and atmosphere in settings typically reserved for daytime visits. At Birch Aquarium, those evenings take on an added dimension as exhibits shift under special lighting to reveal how marine life behaves when the sun goes down.
The return of Oceans at Night marks the comeback of one of the aquarium’s most successful 21-and-over events. Held on select dates throughout the year, the series transforms the aquarium into a lively, adults-only environment featuring music, drinks, interactive science programming, and full access to exhibits without children in tow. The format has long appealed to locals looking for a social night out that still feels distinctly San Diego.
The 2026 Oceans at Night season opens January 29 with an Aquanauts theme tied to the aquarium’s newest exhibition, Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base. During the event, guests will step into the world of underwater research, exploring what life is like for scientists living and working beneath the surface while moving through the aquarium’s galleries after hours. Additional Oceans at Night themes and dates are expected to be announced later in the year.
While Oceans at Night caters exclusively to adults, Birch Aquarium is also expanding its reach with the launch of Birch After Hours, a new all-ages evening experience beginning February 15. Held on Sunday nights from 5 to 7pm., Birch After Hours is designed as a relaxed end-of-weekend outing for families, couples, and visitors who want to experience the aquarium in a calmer, less crowded setting.
Birch After Hours will feature discounted admission, music, food offerings, and access to exhibits during a quieter nighttime window. Unlike Oceans at Night, the focus is less on party energy and more on atmosphere, making it an accessible option for parents with children, date-night visitors, and anyone looking for a low-key evening activity overlooking the ocean.
Both programs center on the transformation of the Living Seas galleries, where subtle lighting shifts and glowing elements reveal a different rhythm of marine life after dark. Aquarium officials say the nighttime offerings are part of a broader effort to create immersive experiences that connect science, conservation, and community in new ways.
Birch Aquarium serves as the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego, translating cutting-edge ocean research into interactive exhibits and programs for more than half a million visitors each year. The addition of expanded evening programming signals a continued push to meet audiences where they are, including after traditional business hours.
Tickets for Oceans at Night: Aquanauts are on sale now, starting at $53.95 for members and $59.95 for the general public. Tickets for Birch After Hours are also available for upcoming dates, with advance online purchase required to access discounted pricing. For San Diegans looking to experience the aquarium in a new light, literally, 2026 is shaping up to be the year Birch Aquarium becomes as much a nighttime destination as a daytime one.
Birch Aquarium is located at 2300 Expedition Way in San Diego's La Jolla. For more information, visit aquarium.ucsd.edu.
Originally published on January 8, 2026.