May 4, 2024 Date

Museum Events

Archaeological Perspectives on the 19th-Century “Illegal” Slave Trade along the Rio Pongo, Guinea, West Africa
Monday, May 6
This free public lecture by University of South Carolina Professor Emeritus Ken Kelly, Ph.D., is presented by the Santa Barbara County Archaeological Society. 
In the early nineteenth...
7:30 PM–9:00 PM
Star Party
Saturday, May 11
The Palmer Observatory will open its doors and its roof to share a remarkable view of the wonders of the night sky through our state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope.Join Museum Astronomy...
8:30 PM–10:00 PM
The Backyard Bird Chronicles: An Evening with Amy Tan
Thursday, May 23
ALL AVAILABLE SEATS ARE RESERVED Please check this page for updates closer to the event date.
Presented by the Santa Barbara Audubon Society and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural...
7:30 PM–9:00 PM
Butterflies Alive! Exhibit Opens
Saturday, May 25
May 25 through September 2, 2024
The extremely popular Butterflies Alive! exhibit returns to the Sprague Butterfly Pavilion every summer. Featuring a dazzling variety of more...
10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Members' Party
Friday, June 7
Experience Butterflies Alive! at our Members-only party. Marvel at dazzling Costa Rican species like the Blue Morpho, Doris Longwing, and owl butterflies. Enjoy a variety of family-friendly...
5:30 PM–7:30 PM
Star Party
Saturday, June 8
The Palmer Observatory will open its doors and its roof to share a remarkable view of the wonders of the night sky through our state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope.Join Museum Astronomy...
8:30 PM–10:00 PM
Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival®
Saturday, June 29
Join us in 2024 to sip and savor over 80 of the Central Coast's best wineries and culinary delights while enjoying a splendid summer afternoon in the Museum's oak woodland...
2:00 PM–5:00 PM
Star Party
Saturday, July 13
The Palmer Observatory will open its doors and its roof to share a remarkable view of the wonders of the night sky through our state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope.Join Museum Astronomy...
8:30 PM–10:00 PM
Star Party
Saturday, August 10
The Palmer Observatory will open its doors and its roof to share a remarkable view of the wonders of the night sky through our state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope.Join Museum Astronomy...
8:30 PM–10:00 PM
Star Party
Saturday, September 14
The Palmer Observatory will open its doors and its roof to share a remarkable view of the wonders of the night sky through our state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope.Join Museum Astronomy...
8:00 PM–10:00 PM