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NightLife: Lunar Underground
Event has passed.
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This event is sold out online! NightLife Plus tickets may be available, or you can try your luck at the door—a limited quantity of tickets are reserved for walk-up guests, while supplies last. Remember: NightLife is (almost) every Thursday, so we hope to see you at a future event!
Mahjong mayhem. Night market thrills. Lion Dance remix. Lunar Underground is back to ring in the year of the dragon the NightLife way.
Music
Music - Ivy The DJ
Ivy The DJ
Piazza
6 - 10 PM
- Check out Ivy The DJ’s exclusive NightLife playlist on the NightLife Spotify page.
G'Ma’s MJ Lounge - Mahjong Madness
African Hall
6 - 9:30 PM
- Did someone say kong? We’re busting out the mahjong tables but be warned: This won’t be your grandma’s mahjong night (unless your grandma plays after-hours at a science museum, cocktail in hand — in which case, can you invite her?). Hosted by our friends at Baba’s House, grab a drink and a seat and pick your lucky tiles for free play and mahjong tutorials all night long.
Night(Life) Market
Swamp/Piazza
6 - 10 PM
- Roam our makeshift market, inspired by the famed late-night open markets in Asia. From hand-poured scented candles to intricate watercolor art, find one-of-a-kind treasures and treats from local Asian-owned businesses:
LED Lion Dance Remix
East Garden
8:30 PM
- Glow big or go home. The dancers at LionDanceME are upping the ante on a Lunar New Year tradition with the ultimate LED lion dance performance.
Lunar Underground Menu - Drinks and Bites from Liquid Happiness and Chef Rob
In The Academy Café:
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Lunar Fries
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Veggie Potstickers
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Orange Chicken with sticky rice
At The Swamp Bar and Aquarium Bar:
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Love Dragon - Vodka, Sour Cherry Schnapps, Lychee Liqueur, Lime
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Jade Stone - Rum, Melon Liqueur, Lime, Ginger Beer
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
6:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Find out what the Apollo astronauts found on the lunar surface, and why we may want to go back.
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.