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Anniversary Events

Be part of the biggest year in our history.

Join us in honoring our 150th anniversary milestone with an exciting lineup of activities, special exhibitions, and programs.

Visit Free on Your Birthday

Let's celebrate our birthdays together. Throughout 2024, visitors will receive free, one-time admission during the month of their birthday. For entry, please bring an ID, birth certificate (photocopy or picture), school ID, or other proof of identification detailing your birthdate. Learn more.

Fall Birthday Events

We invite you to celebrate with us!
Sept. 13: Secret Society of Adultologists
Sept. 27: The Big Birthday Bash
Oct. 8: Members-Only Night
Oct. 19: The Big Birthday Block Party
Oct. 23: Nat Talk: Look What We Found in the Archives
Check our calendar for the full schedule of events.

Summer of Wonder

We’re going all out for our 150th anniversary with a summer full of wonderful. With new exhibits and extended hours, T. REX roaring into our theater, and Nat at Night every week, there will be whole lot of wonderful to fill up a busy, beautiful summer. Learn more, and start making plans!

Merch-a-Month

Get your hands on cool, limited-edition merch all year long. We're rolling out one special product every month to commemorate our anniversary. It's only available in store at The Nat, and when it's gone it's gone. Sign up for email updates or follow us on Instagram to learn about a new release each month.

New exhibits—now open!

The Nature Trail

Our new native plant garden is now open, surrounding our building with living displays of native plants that provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This free amenity for all Park visitors is our birthday present back to the community. Learn more.

Anniversary Exhibition

A love for this unique corner of the world brought The Nat’s founders together 150 years ago. Since then, nature lovers have worked tirelessly to protect our region's wildlife and habitats. Action from the Archives brings these stories to life and offers hope for the conservation challenges of today. Learn more.

New experiences this fall

Our fossils are going underground—again

In fall 2024, get a sneak peek at a brand-new Paleontology Center in the Museum’s basement. A state-of-the-art collections area and a paleontology prep lab will both be visible to the public. A complementary exhibit focusing on the importance of scientific collections will soon follow, opening in 2025. Learn more.

See the wild side of San Diego

Welcome to San Diego, where the surf meets the city and the wild side of nature is just a heartbeat away. Our newest film, Wild San Diego, unveils the hidden wonders of the country's most biodiverse urban landscape—from the dramatic rituals of grebes to the moonlit spawning of grunion and everything in between. See the film in our Giant Screen Theater beginning November 2024.

But wait, there's more!

But wait, there's more! Visit our event calendar for a full list of events, including workshops, hands-on activities for families, Nat Talks, member events (early morning hours and a book club!) and other engagement opportunities.