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Special delivery! See our visiting baby camels (Dec. 6–19) and yaks (Dec. 20–Jan. 5) this holiday. Learn more
NightLife: Level 3
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
Event has passed.
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Achievement unlocked. You’ve reached a new level! Gear up for some fierce competition and flex your skills on classic arcade games, try your luck on vintage pinball machines, shop local merch, and more.
Nightlife is supported by Local Motion® Vodka Sodas, light, refreshing, and simply made with vodka, carbonated water, and natural flavors. Grab Local Motion® at all bars throughout NightLife this year.
Sounds by Wonway Posibul
Music
Local Motion Arcade in the Piazza
Local Motion Arcade
Piazza
6 - 10 PM
No tokens are needed for a night of fun and games at the Academy. Play arcade classics like Soul Caliber II and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game in the Local Motion® Arcade and test your luck to win a Claude plushie in our “Claw-de” machine.
Pacific Pinball Museum in the Piazza
Pacific Pinball Museum
Piazza
6 - 10 PM
Who’s in need of a throwback? Our friends from the Pacific Pinball Museum are bringing in some vintage machines for a night of unlimited play.
Game Parlour in Curiosity Grove
Game Parlour
Curiosity Grove
6 - 9:30 PM
Shout out to board game lovers—we know gaming goes beyond the digital realm. Game Parlour will be on hand with a variety of classic board games to enjoy.
OK Marketplace in Swamp
OK Marketplace
Swamp
6 - 10 PM
Swoon over kawaii merch and shop till you drop with vendors curated by local favorite OK Marketplace.
Gotta Catch Em All.....
Gotta Catch Em All
Piazza
6 - 10 PM
One final easter egg: The Pokéball Hunt is back. Search the museum for hidden pokéballs and ye shall be rewarded. Happy hunting!
A few dont-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
6:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Take a tour of the Universe with a sprinkling of the hottest news stories from astronomy and the space sciences!
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.
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.