• No Vacation
    No Vacation
  • Band members of Sour Widows
    Sour Widows
  • NightLife LIVE lineup
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This event is sold out online! VIP tickets may still be available, or you can try your luck at the door—a limited quantity of tickets are set aside for walk-up guests, while supplies last.

Kick off Outside Lands weekend at NightLife LIVE with some dreamy jams by indie pop band No Vacation, and an opening set by guitar-wielding trio, Sour Widows.

Music co-presented by Another Planet in collaboration with Outside Lands.

Sounds by CUFFIN All Thangs R&B Party

Check out the CUFFIN All Thangs R&B Party NightLife Playlist on the NightLife Spotify page

Cocktails handcrafted by Tito's Handmade Vodka and WhistlePig Whiskey, the official vodka and whiskey of NightLife LIVE.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The Show
West Garden

  • 7:45 - 8:25 PM - Step outside and kick it off with our opening act, all the way from Oakland, California, Sour Widows.
  • 8:45 - 9:50 PM - Grab a spot to check out some dreamy jams by our headliner, indie pop band No Vacation

Music presented by Another Planet

Deep Cuts
Coral Reef
7 - 9 PM

  • Take the plunge and join Late Aster for a one-of-a-kind performance in front of one of the deepest and largest living coral displays in the world.

Music presented by Mellow Sessions

The Shop
Swamp
6 - 10 PM

Art Party
Piazza
6 - 10 PM

  • Move to the music of Cuffin All Thangs R&B Party and check out some of the coolest pieces from Helvella Art, an artist-run gallery and studio showcasing contemporary fine art in Oakland.

Festival Fashion
Piazza
6 - 10 PM

  • Make your festival memories last with a customized wristband or dreamy flower crown with materials and help from Museum of Craft and Design.

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ABOUT NIGHTLIFE LIVE

Jam out to musicians across genres from indie pop to hip hop and funk to bossa nova at our crowd favorite outdoor summer concert series. From July to October, every second Thursday night will feature a different NightLife LIVE lineup of music, art, and science.

We’re transforming the Academy into the ultimate eclectic music venue where you can groove to a spectrum of artists alongside our iconic exhibits (aquarium and chill anyone?). Catch live outdoor performances on the West Garden stage, explore an art show and artist market featuring local artists curated by Helvella Art, experience Mellow Sessions’ jazz-fusion melodies next to our 25 ft deep Philippine Coral Reef, and more.

Catch the 2023 series on July 13, August 10, September 14, and October 12. Co-presented by Noise Pop and Another Planet in collaboration with Outside Lands.

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.

Music

Planetarium Shows

6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm

Explore the immense scale of the known Universe in this live presentation that leaves Earth far behind.

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Upcoming events

October 10th at 6:00 pm

Explore the Academy at night alongside nearly 60,000 live animals.

October 17th at 6:00 pm

NightLife’s reppin’ the YAY AREAAA with Bay Area history, music that slaps, and hella local love.

October 24th at 6:00 pm

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

October 31st at 6:00 pm

Everyone’s entitled to one good scare–serve up your spookiest looks at NightLife. With performances by Oaklash.

November 14th at 6:00 pm

Explore the nocturnal side of the Academy and see what makes the museum at night different.