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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: Hella '89
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
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NightLife’s reppin’ the YAY AREAAA with Bay Area history, music that slaps, and hella local love. In 1989, the historic Battle of the Bay was rattled by the earth shaking Loma Prieta earthquake. 35 years later, we’re paying tribute to our favorite place by throwing it back to the eighties with Golden State Warriors swag, “Muni Raised Me” art exhibit pop-up, a Bay-inspired marketplace and more! Plus, a special “whiteboard” freestyle performance from Frak The Person of Wild 'N Out!
To truly immerse yourself in the vibes of the time, get a (safe) taste of what the big '89 earthquake was like in our Shake House earthquake simulator. Brace yourself as you relive the seismic waves that hit the Bay 35 years ago.
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.
Music
The Block - Muni Raised Me
The Block
Front Concourse
- 6:00 - 10:00 PM - Check out the centerpiece of the Muni Raised Me art exhibition- “a decommissioned Muni bus turned into a temple... with maximalist assemblages of objects, each one evoking a different San Francisco cultural touchpoint.” (Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED)
- Plus meet the artists behind Muni Raised Me - “an exploration of belonging; to a land that is not ours, that we will never own, but that we owe”.
The Boogie - Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors present a tribute to Frankie Beverly
The Boogie
East Garden
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Step outside for a drink and a bite and to check out an incredible full band tribute to the late great Frankie Beverly presented by the Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors and featuring original Maze bassist Robin Duhe.
The Function - DJ D Sharp with the cutty Frak appearance
The Function
Piazza
- 8:00 - 10:00 PM - Warriors fans rise! Score special Golden State Warriors swag and jam out to DJ D Sharp, the official DJ of the Warriors.
- 9:00 PM - The Bay Area's own Frak The Person from Wild 'N Out is hittin' the stage with his signature whiteboard freestyle. You bring the words, he brings the bars, always offtop and always outta pocket.
The Hall of Game - Our Oakland Ballpark
The Hall of Game
Science Today
- Say hi to the loyal fans behind Last Dive Bar, an apparel brand born from love of the Oakland Coliseum and of course, the game.
- Plus check out a sentimental tribute to the A’s in cartoon form by East Bay artist Nomi Kane and enjoy a special collection of nostalgic Oakland A’s videos all night long.
The Folks - Art projects, earthquakes, and local vendors
The Folks
Swamp
- Find out more about the Loma Prieta quake and what actually makes the earth shake (besides 15s in the trunk, of course) with our friends from the Berkeley Seismology Laboratory
- Plus peruse a market of independent Bay Area brands and support your local entrepreneurs featuring:
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
Excite your senses with a visually stunning planetarium show that explores the seismic science of our world.
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.