Get NightLife emails
Delightful NightLife news, delivered weekly.
Where did the building blocks of life come from? Journey across space & time to explore how elements are made.
NightLife: Black Thursday
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
February 6 at 6:00 pm
0
In honor of Black History Month, we’re hosting our second annual celebration of Black joy, featuring a night full of energetic dance, soulful live music, a marketplace with 20+ Black-owned local businesses, and a whole lot more. Come dance, drink, and celebrate the Black experience.
Featured events:
- Kick off the night with Oakland street-dance crew TURFFEINZ as they take up room on the floor with a special performance on the concourse in front of the main entrance.
- Enjoy a moving performance from Oakland-based contemporary vocal ensemble CO-LLAB Choir. With original compositions expressing healing, love, and unity, they’re sure to bring the house down.
- Looks like DJ Shellheart is about to be outside again. Catch her performing with her signature hype and passion in the Piazza all night long.
- Take a deep breath and practice self-care in our wellness corner:
- Learn about the importance (and historical lack of) mental health care in the Black community with Morgan Norvell, founder and owner of Budding Lotus Meditation.
- Chat with Tendwell Collective, who foster inclusive and community-oriented wellness spaces through programs for identities that aren’t typically prioritized in the wellness world.
- Join African American Arts & Culture Complex, one of the premier Black arts and cultural institutions in the Bay, for an illuminating experience to the East Garden. Gather your crew, spark some friendly competition, and admire the artistry of the creative course with a unique experience that’s part mini golf, part art installation, and all fun.
- Savor some mouthwatering bites brought to you by local family-run soul food spot Tastebuds.
- Support Black-owned businesses at a marketplace featuring wares from 20 exceptional local stores, curated by SF Black Wall Street and In the Black Shop. Featuring:
Music
NightLife rules, regs, and reminders
NightLife is for adults 21+ only. Valid, physical photo ID required.
Last entry into Osher Rainforest is 7:30 pm — our animals need their sleep.
Morrison Planetarium passes are available online in advance for $5 each while supplies last. Showtimes are 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 pm. A limited number of standby seats will be available for all showtimes as space allows on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gems and Minerals Unearthed opens to the public at 8:30 pm. It is reserved for NightLife Plus guests from 6 - 8:30 pm.
Food and drink are not permitted in Osher Rainforest, Morrison Planetarium, or the Swamp.
Help everyone stay healthy: It's not required, but we encourage all guests to stay up-to-date on their vaccinations and to mask up indoors. If you’re feeling sick or have been in close contact with someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19 or another respiratory virus, please visit another time. View our health and safety page.
Still have Qs? Click here for As.
Planetarium Shows
6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm
Discover how a deeper understanding of Earth might help us spot other living worlds light-years away.
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.