Embark on a nocturnal adventure every Thursday night from 6-10 pm.

  • GIF of alligator, jellyfish, colorful tropical fish
  • Rainforest exterior
  • Masked guest comes eye to eye with an orange fish in the California Coast habitat at the Academy
  • Trex
  • Claude
  • mantis shrimp
  • Rainforest
  • Sea nettle jellyfish glow orange at the California Academy of Sciences
  • A camouflaged scorpionfish rests in an exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences
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Welcome back! All NightLife guests must reserve timed-entry tickets online in advance. Members, please log in after adding tickets to your cart to receive your discount.

Please visit our reopening page for more information about ticketing, health and safety, exhibits, and FAQs.

Please note that the last entry into the rainforest exhibit is 7:30 pm—our animals need their sleep!

NightLife is 21+ with ID, from 6-10 pm.

Buy Tickets

Calling all creatures of the night: reserve your NightLife tickets in advance and see what’s revealed once the sun goes down. Reconnect with favorite faces (we’re looking at you, Claude!) while exploring new and familiar spaces. With nearly 40,000 live animals, two new exhibits, the iconic Shake House and four-story Rainforest, and outdoor dining beneath the stars the night is sure to be wild. For adults 21+.

Can’t attend in person? NightSchool is still in session! Join us virtually via YouTube or Facebook for an eclectic mix of science and culture. Streaming live monthly (and available as recordings afterwards) on the Academy’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

View upcoming ticketed NightLife events and free virtual NightSchool events below.

Ticketed museum events

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Explore the museum at night!
NightLife: August 5
August 5th at 6:00 pm

See what’s revealed once the sun goes down and explore the nocturnal side of the Academy. For adults 21+.

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Photo by Emily Margarit Mason

Photo Credit: Emily Margarit Mason

NightLife x Pop-Up Magazine
August 12th at 6:00 pm

Explore Pop-Up Magazine’s FIELD GUIDE audio experience + art project made for & inspired by the world around us.

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See what’s revealed once the sun goes down and explore the nocturnal side of the Academy. For adults 21+.
NightLife: August 19
August 19th at 6:00 pm

Explore the nocturnal side of the Academy and see what makes the museum at night different.
For adults 21+.

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Art Lab NightLife
NightLife: Art Lab
August 26th at 6:00 pm

Engage both sides of your brain while exploring the intersections of science and art.

Free virtual events

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sea turtle
NightSchool: Surviving the Deadly Bucket
August 5th at 7:00 pm

Learn how people are saving—and flying—hundreds of baby sea turtles a year from Cape Cod's "Deadly Bucket."

More to explore
A group of guests looking at the California Coast exhibit
The Hive

Join this group of donors in their 20s and 30s and enjoy a NightLife season pass and Party After Dark ticket!

Guests enjoying NightLife VIP Experience on the Living Roof
NightLife VIP Experience

Live a little at NightLife! Enjoy two free drinks and VIP access, plus a snack and sweet discounts.

Best of 2020 Livestreams

Get to know our new livestream series, Breakfast Club and NightSchool, with a list of 10 viewer favorites from 2020.

Watch now
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