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Please note: Osher Rainforest will be closed for maintenance May 7-9.
NightLife 15!
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
Event has passed.
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Go NightLife, it’s our birthday, we’re gon’ party like it’s our birthday! NightLife’s all grown up, so come out and celebrate 15 amazing years of creatures, cocktails, and culture – that’s over 700 Thursday nights!
Music
Music - Sounds by RIETA
Piazza
6 - 10pm
Check out RIETA’s exclusive NightLife playlist on the NightLife Spotify page
Birthday Party Activities - Museum of Craft & Design and San Franpsycho
Swamp
6 - 10pm
- Grab a limited edition NightLife 15 tee from San Franpsycho and make your own personalized party hat with Museum of Craft & Design.
Menu - TBD
Menu TBD!
A few don’t-miss NightLife details:
- NightLife guests are no longer required to provide proof of full vaccination or a recent negative test. We still strongly encourage all guests to stay up-to-date on their vaccinations, and to mask up indoors. As always, if you’re feeling under the weather, please NightLife another time. View health and safety information here.
- Last entry into the rainforest exhibit is 7:30 pm—our animals need their sleep.
- Morrison Planetarium is now open at NightLife with 4 showtimes. To maximize staff and guest safety, planetarium passes are required and capacity is limited. Passes are available online in advance for an additional $5 while supplies last to reserve a seat at a 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, or 9:30 pm planetarium show. Please see our FAQs for more details. (Please note: A limited number of standby seats will be available for all showtimes as space allows on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and drink are not permitted inside the planetarium.)
- Beverages are available at various bars throughout the building, but food must be enjoyed outdoors or in the Academy Café only.
- NightLife is for adults 21+ only. Valid, physical photo ID required.
- Still have Qs? See our FAQs here.
Planetarium Shows
6:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Explore the immense scale of the known Universe in this live presentation that leaves Earth far behind.
8:30 pm, 9:30 pm
Where did the building blocks of life come from? Journey across space & time to explore how elements are made.
Upcoming events
May 9th at 6:00 pm
See what’s revealed once the sun goes down and explore the nocturnal side of the Academy.
May 16th at 6:00 pm
Carnaval is taking over! Join the party and celebrate Latin American, Caribbean & Afrodiasporic cultures.
May 23rd at 6:00 pm
Why is California so special? Find out at the grand opening of our newest exhibit, California: State of Nature.
May 30th at 6:00 pm
Calling all creatures of the night! Explore the Academy's nocturnal side. Sounds by: DJ Mark Maiden.
June 6th at 6:00 pm
We’re bringing the spice at our hottest event of the year. Hear from spicy savants, sample fiery foods, & more.
June 13th at 6:00 pm
Honor Black contributions to global dance with a special Juneteenth edition of the Make History dance battle.