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NightLife x Make History
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
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Join us as we honor Black contributions to global dance with a special Juneteenth edition of the Make History dance battle. This commemorative competition marks the first Juneteenth jam in celebration of Black arts and liberation in the Bay Area. Plus, the party continues with a marketplace curated by In the Black featuring local Black-owned businesses and an interactive dance pop-up presented by Hip Hop Congress.
Nightlife is supported by Local Motion® Vodka Sodas, light, refreshing, and simply made with vodka, carbonated water, and natural flavors. Grab a can of Local Motion® at bars throughout NightLife this year!
Music
Make History - Dance Battles in the Piazza
Make History Dance Battles
Piazza
Join us for a monumental dance battle hosted by Make History, paying homage to the Black community and their roots in hip-hop. Watch as four dancers go head-to-head in a thrilling two-versus-two open style battle, followed by an intense one-on-one toprock showdown. Get a taste of the action and check out video of full dance battles from Make History here.
- 7:00 PM - Open Style Preliminaries
- 7:45 PM - Breaking Preliminaries
- 8:15 PM - Open Style Top 8, Top 4
- 8:40 PM - Breaking Top 8 - Top 4
- 9:00 PM - Breaking Final
- 9:15 PM - Open Style Final
The Strutters Room - with Lonnie "PopTart" Green
Strutters Room
Curiosity Grove
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Step into the dance circle and show your moves! Experience the Annual International Strutters Room Master Camp pop-up, presented by Hip Hop Congress. Learn foundational street dance moves in signature San Francisco style from local legend Lonnie 'PopTart' Green.
Marketplace presented by In The Black SF
Marketplace presented by In The Black SF
Swamp
6:00 - 10:00 PM
Shop the night away with In the Black and meet 10 Black-owned businesses right here in the Bay Area.
The Menu - Drinks and bites from Liquid Happiness and Chef Rob
At the Swamp & Aquarium Bars:
- 6-Step - Bourbon, lemon juice, triple sec, simple syrup, peach puree
At the Academy Cafe:
-
Cookout-style Baked Mac and Cheese
-
Texas Red Chicken Wings
A few don't-miss NightLife details:
- 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.
- Gems and Minerals Unearthed opens to the public at 8:30 pm. It is reserved for NightLife Plus guests from 6 - 8:30 pm.
- 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.
- Food and drink are not permitted in Osher Rainforest, Morrison Planetarium, or the Swamp.
- While not required, 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
8:30 pm, 9:30 pm
Discover how a deeper understanding of Earth might help us spot other living worlds light-years away.
6:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Explore the immense scale of the known Universe in this live presentation that leaves Earth far behind.
Thank you to our cocktail sponsor
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.