Visitors are seen at the Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 28, 2021.Photo:Xinhua

What would be like touring a museum after night falls? A summer evening program launched by the Australian Museum provided the best chance to experience the scene in the Hollywood blockbuster Night at the Museum.

Located in downtown Sydney, the Australian Museum is the country's oldest museum with a history of over 190 years. After 15 months of renovation, the museum reopened to the public in November last year.

The summer evening program, featuring extended hours on every Thursday from January to March 2021, is giving visitors the opportunity to wander through the museum's new spaces and exhibitions with free entry, and enjoy late night entertainment.

"There is something magical about the Museum at night, and we're thrilled to be able to extend our hours on Thursday evenings to provide a fun and vibrant space for people to connect and come together which is now more important than ever. Visitors can pop in after work or after dinner on summer evenings and enjoy a 'Night at the Museum,' wandering through our exhibitions, encountering special talks, enjoying live music and even late-night shopping in our new museum store," Director and CEO of Australian Museum Kim McKay said.

Visitors view exhibits at the Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 28, 2021.Photo:Xinhua

From stunning pictures taken by 2020 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year about the country's terrific natural beauties, to an exploration of the museum's most precious collections, visitors could enjoy a couple of exhibitions, workshops and events in different parts of the museum.

"With free general entry and extended hours on Thursday evenings, anyone can discover and enjoy all that Australia's first, and recently revamped museum has to offer. There is something for everyone to enjoy at the transformed museum," Minister for the Arts of the state of New South Wales (NSW) Don Harwin said.

An exhibit is seen at the Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 28, 2021.Photo:Xinhua

Among all the exhibitions, the one about the whole family of tyrannosaurs is most popular for kids during the current school holiday.

Visitors could face to face with a life-sized tyrannosaur and observe a colossal collection of tyrannosaur skeletons, skulls and fossil eggs. The interactive exhibition is also full of fun with the help of technologies such as virtual reality, touch screens, immersive projections and AI.

Facing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the largely reduced visitor flow in downtown, the state government also hoped the summer evening program could promote Sydney's night-time economy and contribute to the revitalization of the Central Business District.

"With its central location opposite Hyde Park, the Australian Museum is a key attraction for residents and visitors to our city, and offering extended evening hours at our premier cultural institutions is an important step in supporting our creative economy to be back up and running," NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said.

A visitor views exhibits at the Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 28, 2021.Photo:Xinhua