NightLife: Makes Sense

It doesn’t take a sixth sense to know Nightlife is the place to expand your horizons. Let your senses lead the way through an evening of exploration of the ways humans and animals experience the world. 

Sounds by Cuffin’ All Thangs R&B Party

Check out Cuffin' All Thangs' exclusive NightLife playlist on Spotify

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Feast for the Eyes
Curiosity Grove
6 - 10 PM

• Catch a live mural painting by SF’s Precita Eyes Muralists, and watch their Academy-inspired mural come to life before your eyes.

Touch Tour
Swamp
6 - 10 PM

• Hop aboard the “touch tour” and combine unique textures and materials to create your very own keychain with the Museum of Craft and Design.

Take A Whiff
Swamp
6 - 10 PM

• What does a T-Rex smell like, you ask? According to Zoologist Perfumes, a little floral and a little smokey, with hints of metallic rose oxide offering a chilling premonition of blood-lust. Take in this dino’s aroma (and more like it) at the Ministry of Scent pop-up.

Extra-Sensory
Swamp
6 - 10 PM

• Join experts from the Academy, the Natural History Museum of London, and York University as they showcase an array of specimens and share their unique sensory adaptations. Featuring:
  • Rayna Bell, California Academy of Sciences (amphibians)
  • Johanna Loacker, California Academy of Sciences (invertebrates)
  • Chris Grinter, California Academy of Sciences (insects)
  • Ryan Schott York University, Toronto (reptiles)
  • David Gower Natural History Museum, London (reptiles)
  • Jeff Streicher Natural History Museum, London (amphibians)
  • Kate Thomas Natural History Museum, London (deep sea invertebrates and fishes)

What’s That Racket
Swamp
6 - 10 PM

• Chat with scientists that are studying the evolutionary mystery of frog and toad ear loss to hear how "earless" frogs would hear popular music.

TidalFire*
Planetarium

• Sit back, relax, and witness our planetarium transformation into an immersive canvas for digital art, in partnership with TidalFire and featuring live music from HABITAAT

• *Please note: Planetarium passes are required and capacity is limited. Click here for more information on these shows.

*TidalFire will headline all Planetarium shows during NightLife on 10/13. Regularly scheduled Planetarium programming will resume 10/14.

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.
   
• Still have Qs? See our FAQs here.