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Strange Science 2025

Strange Science 2025

Event

Gothic castle against purple background.

Saturday tickets sold out. Friday still available.

Past eventFri., Oct. 24, 2025, 6–10 p.m.–Sat., Oct. 25, 2025, 6–10 p.m.

This event is for ages 21+ Tickets: $80 VIP Preview Tickets: $130 Members: Affiliate level and above may reserve two free tickets. Sponsor packages available now. Tickets include two drinks.

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The Huntington

Affiliate–Benefactor Tickets Tickets for Purchase Become a Sponsor

Step beyond the gates and join us for a night of gothic grandeur with mysterious tales, dark trivia, and live performances. Dance to the DJ’s haunting beats, enjoy drinks, and savor bites from local food trucks. Dress your scary-best and flaunt your look at our photo op!

Event Program | PDF Download

Couple being photographed in front of neon light photobooth.

Woman in Victorian costume holding an owl.

Couple posing in Halloween costumes.

Outdoor night time lecture outside lit up building.

Crowd in Halloween costumes attending a nighttime outdoor lecture.

Three people in Halloween attire.

Crowd in Halloween costumes dancing on nighttime dancefloor.

Photograph by William Lu.

Photograph by William Lu.

Photograph by William Lu.

Photograph by William Lu.

Photograph by William Lu.

Photograph by William Lu.

Photograph by William Lu.

Know Before You Go: Ages 21+; two drinks included per ticket. Costumes are encouraged, but no weaponry, please. The event is rain or shine.

This popular event will sell out! Tickets are subject to availability and not guaranteed.  Member tickets are nontransferable, and paid tickets are not refundable. If you are unable to attend, please consider your ticket a donation to The Huntington.

Performances

LA Opera Performance.

“Brewed Awakening” by LA Opera Connects

7 p.m., 8 p.m., & 9 p.m. | Rothenberg Hall

Created especially for Strange Science, LA Opera presents “Brewed Awakening,” a whimsical operatic whodunit that takes the audience on a musical journey across eras and stories.

LA Opera Connects is the community engagement and learning department at LA Opera, serving 140,000 Angelenos each year.

Performer in steampunk costume holding bird of prey.

The Otherworldly Connection to Birds of Prey

7 p.m., 8 p.m., & 9 p.m. | Huntington Art Gallery South Terrace

Falcon’s Court returns with birds of prey! Get to know owls, hawks, and falcons during this live performance, and learn how these raptors became known as reincarnated souls, shapeshifters, and messengers to the spirit realms.

Talks

Book cover. Text: Dark Tourism California: A Paranormal Travelogue. Brian Clune

Dark Tourism: Science or Sinister?

7:30 p.m. | Munger Research Center Plaza

Join Brian Clune, historian and paranormal investigator, to learn about 10 haunted locations around California, their place in history, and the spirits that inhabit them. Listen to actual EVP recordings and other phenomena. The presentation will be followed by a signing of Dark Tourism California: A Paranormal Travelogue.

Night lecture at a lit up building.

Skulls and Scholars

9 p.m. | Munger Research Center Plaza

Diva Zumaya, associate curator of European art, will transport you to the spooky 17th century for an art historical journey through images of scholars in candlelit darkness. Looking closely at the work of Caravaggio, Dürer, Rembrandt, and Vermeer, join Zumaya for a dive into the shadowy world of these Baroque masters.

Portrait of Arabella Huntington.

Through a Glass Darkly: Mourning Fashion Through History

6:45 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. | Haaga Hall

Fashion historian Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell will examine the history of mourning attire from the chic court of Marie-Antoinette to well-dressed widows Queen Victoria and Arabella Huntington. Each presentation will be followed by a signing of Fashion Victims: Dress at the Court of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.

Experiences

Colorful Calligraphy on paper.

Medieval and Contemporary Scribes: Gothic Grandeur meets Quill and Ink

6:30–9:30 p.m. | North Vista While supplies last

The Southern California Society for Calligraphy will add flourish to your evening with a personalized bookplate or sticker. Add this to your sketchbook, laptop, or favorite water bottle.

Lily pond close-up.

Microscopic Mysteries

6–9:45 p.m. | The Rose Hills Foundation Garden Court

Inspired by Victorian microscope parties, this hands-on activity lets you explore a drop of water from The Huntington’s own ponds under a modern microscope. Discover the strange and tiny life forms hiding in plain sight; some harmless, some bizarre, and all incredibly fascinating.

Couple posing in photo op.

Obscura Cubiculum Photo Op

6–9:45 p.m. | Mapel Orientation Gallery $10 for two snapshots

Dare to enter this soul-capturing chamber for a photo-op by Herman Au photography. Each sinister snapshot includes one print and a digital download.

Outdoor trivia.

Shadows in the Stacks: A Quiz from the Collections

6:45 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. | Celebration Lawn

Test your wits on tales drawn from The Huntington’s shadowy corners—rare books, dark artworks, uncanny plants, and mysterious scientific instruments. With lamplight and a drink in hand, teams will compete to solve cryptic clues and uncover the secrets of our collections. The champions will win bragging rights and prizes.

DJ Kara DJing and waving.

The Red Death Dance Club

7:30–10 p.m. | Library Lawn

DJ Kara will spin us to the brink and back. Dancing has never been more deadly!

Bites and Brews

Satisfy your thirst with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at one of the themed bars and enjoy fare from 1919 Cafe, a variety of food trucks, plus desserts.

Liquid Indulgence

Sip on something spellbinding at one of the outdoor bars. Use your drink tickets to enjoy a beer from Boomtown Brewery, wine from Orange Boots Winery and Pie n’ Burger, or a cocktail from Divino Maguey and Real del Valle. Other beverages for purchase. Last call is at 9:45 p.m. for outdoor bars. Please drink responsibly.

The Black Rose Botanicum | The Rose Hills Foundation Garden Court

The Raven’s Perch | Library Lawn

The Forgotten Grimoire | Huntington Art Gallery Loggia

This indoor bar offers a full drink menu for purchase. Drink tickets are not accepted, and the bar closes at 8 p.m.

1919 Bar | 1919 Cafe

Featured Cocktail: Basil & Barrel, a refreshing blend of Maker’s, fresh lemon sour, Cosmic Crisp Apple, and basil.

Spooky Snacks and Graveyard Grub

1919 Cafe

The beloved Huntington eatery will be open from 6–8 p.m., and all food stations and Grab & Go items will be available. At the bar, enjoy cocktails for purchase. Drink tickets are not accepted.

Food Trucks

Last food order is 9:30 p.m.

All Chill

Bison Burger

Camich (Saturday only)

Feisty Fish Poke

Funtime Kettle Corn

Pickles & Peas (Friday only)

Rice Balls of Fire

Tropic Truck

West Side Banh Mi (Friday only)

Wing Me Up (Saturday only)

Support Strange Science as a Sponsor

Love spooky season as much as we do? This year, you have the chance to support Strange Science and The Huntington’s mission to inspire curiosity and wonder. Sponsors enjoy complimentary lite bites and a wine bar during the VIP preview hour (5–6 p.m.) before the evening opens to ticket holders.

The Night Explorer package: $1,500

Invite for 4 to Strange Science and the VIP preview hour.
Complimentary Sustaining-level Membership ($175 value).
Recognition on event webpage, program, and in the Huntington’s Annual Report.

The Mystic Benefactor package: $2,500

Invite for 8 to Strange Science and the VIP preview hour.
Complimentary Affiliate-level Membership ($350 value).
Recognition on event webpage, program, and in the Huntington’s Annual Report.

The Architect of Oddities: $5,000

All Mystic Benefactor items, plus:
4 additional tickets to Strange Science and the VIP preview hour.
A private behind-the-scenes tour at a future date.

Tickets will be sent separately. The value of goods and services is $80 per VIP ticket utilized. Paid tickets are not refundable. If you are unable to attend, please consider your ticket a donation to The Huntington.

Event Sponsors

Orange Boots Wine

Real del Valle

Stylized "Pie 'N Burger" text.

Divino Maguey

Boomtown Brewery

Stylized Topo Chico text.

Thank you to our 2025 Supporters

The Night Explorers

Patricia Kaminski

The Taw Family

Sponsor list updated as of October 10, 2025.

Questions or accessibility needs? Contact the Membership office at membership@huntington.org.

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