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NightLife: Unusual Perspectives
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
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Expect the unusual as art and nature collide at an enchanting NightLife that will celebrate the debut of the new BigPicture exhibition – an ethereal tribute to the marvels of our world and some of the talented photographers capturing them. Embark on a visual odyssey around the world through stunning nature photography, create your own work of art with Haight Street Art Center, learn something new in a photography workshop, wander a nature-themed market, and more!
Sounds by Brycon
Check out Brycon's exclusive NightLife playlist on the NightLife Spotify page
Music
BigPicture - 2024 Exhibit Opening
BigPicture
Piazza
6 - 10 PM
Sip your favorite cocktail and explore the Academy’s latest exhibition, BigPicture: Natural World Photography, celebrating its 11th anniversary. Take in some of this year's most awe-inspiring natural moments caught on film.
Photo Crash Course - lightning talks and workshops with photographers
Photo Crash Course
African Hall
Feeling inspired to capture nature's beauty? Boost your photography skills with insider tips and tricks for snapping stunning photos on your phone in back-to-back workshops with photographers who placed in this year’s competition.
- 7:15 PM - Exploring The Intricacies Of Underwater Critters Through Macro Photography with Kat Zhou
- 7:30 PM - Structuring a Photo Story and the Ethics of Wildlife photography with Maddy Rifka
- 7:45 PM - How To Take Pictures & Document Wildlife Out In Nature with Vishal Subramanyan
Photogs Riffing on the Reef - Live talk in the Steinhart Aquarium
Photogs Riffing on the Reef
Philippine Coral Reef
8:30 PM
Join Kate Vylet, winner of the 2023 BigPicture "Aquatic Life" category, and Fressia Peng, 2024 BigPicture Aquatic Life finalist, for an immersive exploration into the world of underwater photography. Discover the techniques and artistry behind their award-winning images as they dive beneath the surface to capture the hidden beauty of aquatic life.
Make Your Voice Heard! - Screenprinting with Haight Street Art Center & Marketplace
Make Your Voice Heard!
Swamp
6 - 10 PM
Get your creative juices flowing all night long with Haight Street Art Center and create your own screen-printed poster featuring an image from the exhibit! Plus Bring home a unique piece of art from a nature-inspired market featuring:
- Goff Books Selling BigPicture’s latest publication Seeing It All: Women Photographers Expose Our Planet
- Shaire Productions
- Blissblocks
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
Where did the building blocks of life come from? Journey across space & time to explore how elements are made.
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.