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NightLife: Día de los Muertos
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
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Las puertas del más allá están abiertas. Join us in honoring departed souls in celebration of Día de los Muertos with live performances, local artists, and time-honored crafts. Es una noche de tradición, conexión, y mucho más.
Nightlife is supported by Local Motion® Vodka Sodas, light, refreshing, and simply made with vodka, carbonated water, and natural flavors. Grab Local Motion® at all bars throughout NightLife this year.
Music
La Bendición
La Bendición
Front Concourse
5:45 - 6:15 PM
- Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca kicks off the celebration with a traditional Aztec blessing right outside the building in front of the main entrance.
- Caele a la Academy a las 5:45 para empezar la celebración con una bendición tradicional de danza Azteca interpretado por Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca.
La Ofrenda
La Ofrenda
Swamp
6 - 10 PM
- Pay tribute to those who have passed by contributing to a beautifully adorned ofrenda, meticulously crafted and curated by the Academy's Latine Affinity Group, CONCIENCIA. Plus, help combat food inequity in local Latino communities with Mission Food Hub by donating canned goods.
- Den homaje a quienes han pasado y contribuyen a la ofrenda adornada amorosamente y curada por el grupo latine de afinidad de la Academy, CONCIENCIA. Y ayuden a combatir la desigualdad alimentaria en las comunidades latine locales con Mission Food Hub donando productos de lata.
La Pachanga
La Pachanga
Piazza
- 8:00 PM - Siente la música! Get ready to dance and delight in live performances by folk musicians Colectivo CalleSon.
- 8:45 PM - Close out the night on the dance floor with the sounds of DJ Sazon Libre.
- 8:00 PM - Prepárense a bailar y gozar con la banda folclórica, Colectivo CalleSon.
- 8:45 PM - Cerremos la noche en la pista de baile con los sonidos de DJ Sazón Libre.
Plus, try a free sample of Mezcal from Mezcal Unión (while supplies last)
La Bondad
La Bondad
Curiosity Grove
- Pay a visit to the Giving Circle and chat with other local organizations who are working to better their communities and learn about ways you can get involved. Featuring:
- Visiten nuestro círculo de comunidad para charlar con organizaciones locales que están trabajando para mejorar sus comunidades y conozcan las formas en que pueden participar. Lista de presentadores:
El Mercado
El Mercado
Grand Hall
6 - 10 PM
- Apoyen a más de 20 vendedores Latine en El Mercado vendiendo todo de joyería artesanal a cerámicas hechas a mano. Además, mire un vistazo a la colección histórica Maya de la Academy que se exhibe del Departamento de Antropología.
- Support over 20 Latine vendors at El Mercado from artisanal jewelry to handmade ceramics. Featuring:
- Arte y Cultura
- Balam Arts
- Casa Bonampak
- Casa Michi
- Chula SF
- Dave of the Dead
- Dcopper+
- Designs by Melinda
- Eve's Jewelry Box
- Finding Vettey
- Maylina Baltodano
- Mixcoatl Arts & Jewelry
- Nayeeri Boutique
- Ometepe Company
- Portal Artesanal
- Sherry Baltodano
- The Designing Chica
- Tierra y Corazon
- Plus, take a look at some the Academy’s historical Maya history collection on display from the Department of Anthropology.
La Cultura
La Cultura
West Garden
6 - 10 PM
- Step out into the garden to get a pic with a couple of classic lowriders and some stunning fashionistas.
- Someone hit the nostalgia button. Take it back in time and customize your own tote with airbrush arte, then watch as Airbrush Alex brings your vision to life in real time.
- Grab a few bites from the Sunset's own Lomo Libre food truck.
- Visiten el jardín para tomar fotos con un par de lowriders clásicos y fashionistas pipirisnáis.
- ¡Corallo pa atras! Personalizan su propia bolsa con arte aerógrafo, luego observen cómo Airbrush Alex da vida a su visión en tiempo real.
La Calavera
La Calavera
Science Today
6 - 9:30 PM
- Bring life to your own traditional heart and sugar skull craft as you’re guided through the steps by members of the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in collaboration with Museum of Craft and Design.
- Preparen artesanía tradicional de corazones y calaveras de azúcar con Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts en colaboración con Museum of Craft and Design.
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
Unlock the secrets of space through Chile's epic mountain observatories. Capacity is extremely limited!
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.