This is not a glitch, gaming is back at NightLife! We’re taking Thursday night to the next level with the ultimate gamer extravaganza. Game on with a Super Smash Bros. Melee® tournament, scientific Pokémon Snap livestream, video-game cosplay and more.

Sounds by RIETA

Check out RIETA's exclusive NightLife playlist on the NightLife Spotify page

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Create Mode
Swamp
6 - 10 PM

Feeling crafty? Try your hand at something new with the Museum of Craft and Design’s Wheel O’ Crafts. From retro 8-bit wearables to tetris magnets, your handmade gamer art is sure to impress your friends.

Arcade Mode
Piazza/Swamp
6 - 10 PM

At the Academy Arcade no tokens are needed for a night of fun and games. Vie for the highest pinball score on favorites from the Pacific Pinball Museum, play arcade classics like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Dance Dance Revolution, and even test your luck to win a Claude plushie in our “Claw-de” machine.

VS. Mode
African Hall
6 - 10 PM

The ultimate Nintendo® classic returns to the museum for the second Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament, hosted by YungWaff. Watch 64 players go head-to-head in a bid to win the coveted title of Super Smash champion.

Free Play Mode
East Garden
6:30 - 9:30 PM

From on-screen to in-person, let the nostalgia bloom and jam out to the sweet sounds from your favorite video games performed by local orchestral powerhouse, Awesöme Orchestra - with Artistic Director Dave Möschler and Guest Conductor and curator Travis Kindred conducting
- 6:30 - 7:20: Dragonborn from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by Jeremy Soule arranged for orchestra and chorus by Andrés Soto
- 7:30 - 8:30: The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Medleyby Koji Kondo arranged for orchestra by Andres Soto
- 8:40 - 9:30: One Winged Angel from Final Fantasy VII by Nobuo Uematsu arranged for orchestra and chorus by Andres Soto

View Collection
Science Today
7 - 9 PM

Do you like Pokémon, science, and prizes? Compete against NightLife peers for bragging rights (and prizes) in Pokémon Snap, and hear from Academy researchers about Pokémon-inspired science (it’s real!). (PS. we’ll also be streaming this on our Twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/heycalacademy)!

Power Down
Curiosity Grove
6 - 10 PM

Don’t worry, board game lovers, we know gaming isn’t just digital. Local SF gem, Game Parlour, is back for another round with a variety of classic board games.

One last easter egg: We’ve hidden a few Pokéballs around the museum containing special surprises. Search and ye shall be rewarded. Happy hunting!

A few don't-miss NightLife details:

Effective September 16, NightLife guests will no longer be 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 enjoyed outdoors or in the Academy Cafe only.
NightLife is for adults 21+ only. Photo ID required.