NHM's Spider Pavilion Returns September 20 With About 300 Free-Roaming Spiders
The Natural History Museum's open-air walkthrough runs through December 6 with 10 to 15 species, timed 30-minute slots and a $10 add-on ticket.
The Spider Pavilion returns to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County at 900 Exposition Blvd from September 20 through December 6, 2026, with a member preview on September 18 and 19. The seasonal open-air exhibit releases approximately 300 spiders representing 10 to 15 species into a walk-through pavilion with no glass between visitors and the webs, alongside a spider den of enclosed habitats. The official species list includes golden silk orb weavers, giant golden orb weavers, yellow garden spiders, spinybacked orb weavers, green lynx spiders, bold jumping spiders and Joro spiders, and the museum names its resident tarantulas Chia, Bubbles, Flicker and Marilyn, Chuck the huntsman and Shakira the wolf spider.
Museum Educators are stationed inside to answer questions. The museum's FAQ notes the spiders are released weeks before opening and that their venom is generally mild, comparable to a bee sting. Admission to the pavilion is a $10 add-on in 30-minute timed slots, plus general admission of $18 for adults and $7 for children 3 to 12; members enter free.
The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and closed the first Tuesday of the month, and it closes early at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 19 due to nearby events.
Need to know
- Where
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Hours
- September 20 to December 6, 2026. 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily; closed the first Tuesday of the month. Timed 30-minute slots.
- Price
- $10 add-on plus general admission ($18 adults, $14 seniors 62+ and students 13 to 17, $7 children 3 to 12). Free for members.