Balboa Park Launches ‘Park After Dark' Program

Balboa Park will offer special attractions and deals after 5 p.m. Fridays throughout the summer

Balboa Park will come alive after five this summer as the San Diego landmark launches its “Park After Dark” program, offering special nighttime attractions and deals.

“Balboa Park After Dark” starts this Friday and runs through Sept. 2. As part of the late-night program, 10 museums at the park plan to stay open until 8 p.m. or later so night owls can enjoy their offerings.

For now, museums open until 8 p.m. on Fridays include:

• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Mingei International Museum
• Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (extended hours begin in July)
• San Diego Art Institute
• San Diego Automotive Museum
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Art Institute
• San Diego Automotive Museum
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Museum of Man
• San Diego Natural History Museum
• San Diego Museum of Art 

In addition, the Museum of Photographic Arts will offer extended evening hours on Thursdays throughout the summer, while the San Diego Museum of Man plans to stay open until 8:30 p.m. every night.

Balboa Park says hours for each “Park After Dark” museum are subject to change, so patrons are encouraged to check each participating museum’s website for more information prior to each visit.

Joining “Park After Dark” will also be the “Food Truck Fridays” program. This will bring between eight and 10 gourmet food trucks to Plaza de Panama at the Prado walkway on a rotating basis, serving everything from appetizers to desserts under the stars.

The food trucks will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 3 and June 17, and then each Friday from July 1 through Sept. 2. The delicious lineup includes local favorites such as: Beachin’ Boba; Cousins Maine Lobster; Frida’s Cocina; Marcel Belgian Waffle; New Orleans Cuisine and Catering; Sweet Treats Ice Cream Motorcycle Sidecar; Tacos y Mariscos El Jefe; New York on Rye; Tabe BBQ.

Since seating at the Plaza de Panama is limited, Balboa Park says visitors can bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit in the lawn area in front of the Botanical Building while they eat and enjoy the park.

Live music will also be featured throughout Balboa Park during this summer series.

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