Playtime isn’t over. It’s just gotten a little… strange.

After Dark returns for a Halloween edition of our grown-ups-only night at the museum, presented by Procter & Gamble! Put on your costume, grab your friends, and take over The Iowa Children’s Museum after hours for a night of Halloween trivia, crafts, tarot readings, karaoke, dancing, drinks, treats, and plenty of reasons to let your inner child out.

And because it wouldn’t be Night of the Living Toys without a little mystery, there’s also the matter of a mysterious doll that has suddenly gone missing. Was she misplaced… or did she leave on her own? What havoc is she creating in the museum? Follow the clues and find out what really happens in the museum after dark!

Event Highlights

Full list of events:

• Costume contest (see more details below)
• Trivia rounds about Halloween, horror movies, and more with Christopher’s Bar Exam
• Solve the mystery of the museum’s haunted doll
• Karaoke + dance party in the Black Lagoon Lounge
• Clay crafts in the Art Studio with a local ceramicist
• Choose-your-own tarot, with decks from Pokémon, LoTR, & more
• Drinks from Millstream Brewing, plus wine, seltzers and NA options
• Quesadillas, taquitos, chips and salsa, and more from Andale Andale
• Halloween candy for your inner trick-or-treater
• Challenges, surprises, and full access to the museum

Costume Contest

Consider this your excuse to go all-in on a Halloween costume! We’ll gather in the Black Lagoon Lounge at 8:30 p.m. to crown our favorites, with prizes and bragging rights.

Important costume rule: No weapons of any kind are allowed, including costume or prop weapons. Real, fake, foam, plastic, enchanted, cursed, or otherwise. Your sword may complete the look, but it’s sitting this quest out.

Tickets

🎟️ General Admission: $30
Includes admission to After Dark, activities, and a drink ticket.

🎟️ General 4-Pack: $100
Bring the whole crew and save! Includes admission to After Dark, activities, and a drink ticket for four guests.

🕷️ VIP Admission: $45
Includes everything in General Admission, plus:

• Dark Dollars to spend on a second drink or special perks throughout the night, like an extra mystery clue, jumping the karaoke line, or your tarot reading
• An After Dark trick-or-treat bag with exclusive merch (After Dark bandana & sticker) and goodies from local partners
• VIP behind-the-scenes look at our new surreal, photo-worthy exhibit

🕷️ VIP 4-Pack: $160
Four VIP tickets and all the perks for $40 apiece. Includes admission to After Dark, activities, drink ticket, Dark Dollars, treat bag and merch, and the behind-the-scenes exhibit tour for four guests.

VIP tickets are limited, so grab yours early if you want the full Night of the Living Toys experience!

This is a 21+ event. IDs will be checked at the door.