April 23, 2024 Date

Museum Events

Splendid Plumage Exhibit Opens to Public
Friday, April 26
Feathers are evolutionary marvels: aerodynamic, insulating, and beautiful. Birds of paradise, herons, toucans, and hummingbirds have evolved an amazing diversity of feather form,...
10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Southern California’s Other Avifauna: Trends, Traits, and Troubles of Our Naturalized Bird Species
Thursday, May 2
Having lived in the “outdoor aviary” of Los Angeles County nearly all his life, Kimball Garrett learned early on that non-native (“exotic”) bird species...
7:30 PM–9:00 PM
Free Astronomy Talk: Satellites in the Crosshairs
Friday, May 3
Satellites and space debris are hot topics in international space exploration, regulation, cooperation, and conflict. Learn about satellite-related conflicts and sustainability...
7:30 PM–9:00 PM
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 for this event have been reserved. A first-come, first-served standby line will be formed at the door on the night of the event.

Presented by the Santa Barbara...
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
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