Nocturne: In the Night Garden

Date: Thursday 15 October 2026

Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm

Price: £8.00

When did you last go out in nature after dark? Come and enjoy the museum garden at night with music, poetry and reflection beneath the trees.

Throughout history artists, writers and musicians have been inspired to create ‘nocturnes’, capturing mysterious and magical visions of night time. Darkness offers a different way to experience both the world and ourselves, yet the glare of electric light in our homes is now keeping us indoors after dark.

Have we forgotten the magic of night?

You are invited to join a small group with a night guide to gather in the Museum of East Dorset’s beautiful walled garden after dark. Rest peacefully in the shadows as darkness falls, surrounded by the scent of flowers, moonlight and stars. Who else has sat in this garden before us throughout history, and what did they do here?

Nocturne is a celebration of natural darkness and human connection and invites you to seize the night!

What to Expect:

• A guided night-time gathering in the museum garden

• Gentle reflection and creative activity – making glowing night memory lanterns outdoors

• Listen to music as darkness falls

• Space to relax, reflect and connect with nature and each other at night

• This event will be experienced in the dark with minimal artificial light.

Details

7.00pm Introduction from Briony – why are we here and what is important about being outside at night in the dark together. Introductions.

7.10pm LIGHTS OUT, LISTEN and REFLECT We will hear some nocturnal music and contemplate our responses to questions about our experience of night as we enjoy the feeling of being out in the dark.

7.45 CHAT Let’s share our thoughts and experiences

8.00 LANTERN MAKING – Record a favourite memory in a lantern. Hang it on a tree and read other people’s memories. More chat!

8.30 RETURN – Procession out of the garden carrying our lanterns.

What you will need:

Wear warm clothes, we will be outside.

“I am still savouring how magic and alive and meaningful the Nocturne event was.” Brooke, participant at Forest of Imagination, 2025