From 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from November 29 through December 28, the Science Museum will dim the lights and invite visitors to explore the science of light, shadows, and color within its darkened exhibit galleries. Visitors will find their favorite areas of the museum transformed by colored light, light-themed interactive art installations and more.

During Illumination, visitors will find the Science Museum transformed into a colorful playground of light and dark. The lobby will be transformed into an immersive lightscape that features colorful décor and interactive ice shard sculptures that light up and change color in response to sound. A shadow puppet theater will invite visitors to use simple materials and their imaginations to create their own scenes and build on others’ ideas. Illuminators SMASH, a large-scale video game sponsored by Best Buy, allows them to create light by smashing virtual bricks, using their cell phones as controllers. They’ll contribute to our ever-growing City of Light, building with transparent bricks on custom-built light tables. And visitors will meet the newest member of the Science Live Theatre team, a life-sized juvenile T. rex puppet that will roam – and roar – through the galleries several times each evening, courtesy of Wells Fargo.

In addition, the Science Museum’s beloved exhibit galleries will be open during Illumination. Visitors can take in the BODY WORLDS Rx exhibit, marvel at the dinosaurs in the Dinosaurs and Fossils Gallery, race against professional athletes in Sportsology, and more.

Visitors will also find specialty light-themed food and beverage items for sale in Chomp Café and Java Lab, and cash bars will be located on each of the exhibit levels. They’ll also find light-themed gift ideas and merchandise to enhance their experience in the Explore Store and at various locations

Illumination festivities will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings from November 29 through December 28 from 5 to 10 p.m. Festivities are included in regular exhibit gallery admission ($19.95 for adults and $13.95 for kids ages 4 to 12 and seniors). Advance reservations are available at smm.org/tickets or by calling (651) 221-9444.