Get NightLife emails
Delightful NightLife news, delivered weekly.
Explore the immense scale of the known Universe in this live presentation that leaves Earth far behind.
NightLife 15!
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
Event has passed.
0
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
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
January 23rd at 6:00 pm
Start your weekend early at NightLife – we won't tell! Claude and the rainforest are waiting for you.
January 30th at 6:00 pm
Local treasures, tasty treats, LED lion dances. It’s time to ring in the year of the snake the NightLife way.
February 6th at 6:00 pm
Celebrate Black joy with a vibrant night of creativity, community, and the Black experience.
February 13th at 6:00 pm
Blow a kiss to our African penguins and 60,000 other creatures when you explore the Academy at night.
February 20th at 6:00 pm
We’re back with another collab with SF staple Noise Pop Music and Arts Festival featuring a DJ set by DāM-FunK.
February 27th at 6:00 pm
Dive into a night of glowing lights and unexpected wonders – where science ignites music and nightlife magic.