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NightLife x Carnaval SF
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
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Check out the NightLife x Carnaval SF Mixtape presented by the Academy's own CONCIENCIA on the NightLife Spotify page.
Carnaval SF is taking over NightLife! Join our colorful celebration of music, dance, and artistry from Latin American, Caribbean, and Afrodiasporic cultures. Experience the joy of Carnaval throughout the museum with live dance performances, a pop-up mercado (marketplace), and more!
Music
La Bendición - Kick off the celebration before you even get inside with opening ceremonies and performances
La Bendición
Front Concourse
Kick off the celebration before you even get inside with opening ceremonies and performances, featuring:
- 5:35 PM - American Indian Cultural Center, SF
- 5:45 PM - Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca
- 6:30 PM - Samba Drummers
La Plaza - Join the party with a non-stop showcase of dance and live music
La Plaza
Piazza
Join the party with a non-stop showcase of dance and live music*, featuring:
- 6:30 PM - King Cheo
- 6:45 PM - Fogo No Roupa
- 7:20 PM - Orlando Tercero
- 7:30 PM - King Yeison & Queen Monica
- 8:00 PM - Los Bahianatos
- 8:45 PM - Bateria Batuki
- 9:20 PM - Sazon Libre
*Schedule is subject to change
El Mercado - Peruse our pop-up mercado (marketplace) and an assortment of hand-made goods, from jewelry to candles.
El Mercado
Swamp & Grand Hall
6 - 10 PM
Peruse our pop-up mercado (marketplace) and an assortment of hand-made goods, from jewelry to candles. Featuring local vendors:
The Menu - Drinks and Bites from Liquid Happiness and Chef Rob
The Menu
Drinks and Bites from Liquid Happiness and Chef Rob
In The Academy Cafe:
- TBD
At Curiosity Grove:
- TBD
At The Swamp & Aquarium Bars:
- Sambódromo - Tequila, lime, agave, mango puree, triple sec
A few don't-miss NightLife details:
- 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.
- Gems and Minerals Unearthed opens to the public at 8:30 pm. It is reserved for NightLife Plus guests from 6 - 8:30 pm.
- 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.
- Food and drink are not permitted in Osher Rainforest, Morrison Planetarium, or the Swamp.
- While not required, 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
Explore the immense scale of the known Universe in this live presentation that leaves Earth far behind.
8:30 pm, 9:30 pm
Unlock the secrets of space through Chile's epic mountain observatories. Capacity is extremely limited!
Sponsored in part by
Upcoming events
January 9th at 6:00 pm
Explore the Academy at night and jump-start 2025 alongside nearly 60,000 live animals.
January 16th at 6:00 pm
See what’s revealed once the sun goes down and explore the nocturnal side of the Academy.
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 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.