Remember when the absolute best thing in the world was being allowed to stay up late? And by late I mean, way, way, WAY past your bedtime. At sleepovers with my friend, Lois, our main goal was to stay awake late enough to see all of  ‘Creature Feature,’ a late-night double feature. The show was hosted by Dr. San Guinary a mad scientist who introduced the horror films with puns and undertaker jokes.  There was nothing remotely scary about the movies, in fact, most would qualify as cinematic dogs, but to a pair of 10-year-olds watching classics like “Monster-A-Go Go” and  “Plan 9 From Outer Space” late into the night was beyond thrilling.

Despite what your mother told you, lots of good things happen after the sun goes down.  Don’t believe me? Check out these after-dark events hand-picked just for you by the Junior.

Nasher Sculpture Center

The Nasher Sculpture Center will be hosting nocturnal fun this Friday at its ‘Til Midnight at the Nasher event. The evening starts off with music from Dallas-based singer-songwriter Chris Norwood followed by Alt-pop musician Walker Lukens. The concert will be followed by an outdoor screening of the 2002 biographical crime film, ‘‘Catch Me If You Can.’ Besides the concert and the movie, you and the kiddos will also have the opportunity to participate in social media scavenger hunts, progressive tours and to view the permanent collection and special exhibitions.

Miss Hokusai (2015) IMDB.com

While you’re in the Arts District Friday night, pop over to the Crow Collection of Asia Art for their block party, After Dark: Heroes and Heroines. You can watch a Japanese woodblock printmaking demo and then make your own prints using a secret ingredient. Later, catch the animated film, ‘Miss Hokusai,’ the story of Japanese artist and ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai, as seen from the eyes of his daughter, Katsushika O-Ei. Because of the mature content, the film is best for kids 12 and up. 

Photo: Young Chef Academy Frisco

Tired of cooking? How about letting the kids try their hand at whipping up dinner? At the Kids Nite Out Cooking Class kiddos can master the ins and outs of preparing a meal. Budding chefs will not only learn about the components of a meal, and cooking, but they will also learn about setting the table, good manners, and kitchen safety. Who knows? You might find you have budding Stephan Pyles living with you. The fun happens Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Young Chefs Academy in Frisco.

Photo: Karin Saucedo/ In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center

In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center, a wildlife sanctuary in Wylie is hosting an outdoor movie this Saturday night with a twist.  The center, which is home to over 60 rescued exotic cats, will start the evening with an outdoor screening of the Disney film “The Lion King.” After the film, you and your cubs can get a sneak peek at the evening feeding of the center’s feline residents.

Photo: Farmers Branch Keenan Cemetery

Halloween might be a month off, but you can get a jump on the spookiest time of the year on a ghost lead tour of Farmers Branch Keenan Cemetery this Friday and Saturday night. At Encounters from the Past: Living History Cemetery Tours you’ll have a chance to meet such deceased citizens as a pilot from WWI, a nurse from WWII, and other prominent individuals who served the area in substantial ways. During the lamp-lit tour, costumed actors will take on the roles of these “former” citizens during an evening of storytelling, history, and family fun.

Photo: Keri Newsom/Dallas Children’s Theater

This next event doesn’t really have anything to do with staying out late, but I couldn’t let the week go by without mentioning International Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept. 19. Celebrate early by catching ‘How I Became a Pirate’ at the Performance Hall at East Field College in Mesquite this weekend. Based on the book by the same name, this play will instruct you on how to become a salty-dog of the high seas. You can’t go wrong with such musical numbers as “Green Teeth,” “I’m Really Just a Sensitive Guy,” and “You’ve Got to Talk Like a Pirate.” Days later you’ll still find yourself saying “Arrrgggg!”