Fright NightLife

Select date

The Academy is open daily. You may enter at any time within your timeslot. If you don’t see your desired timeslot, it is unavailable.

Browse the calendar, select your visit date, then click Add to Cart. The further in advance you buy, the more you’ll save! Your advance-purchase savings are already reflected in the ticket price below. For more information, see the Plan-Ahead Pricing FAQ.

Sounds by ANTHONY DRAGONS

Everyone’s entitled to one good scare – so serve up your spookiest Halloween look at NightLife. Brace yourself for spine-chilling drag performances by Oaklash, a mystic market by OK Marketplace, creepy costumes and critters, and of course…candy!

Costumes are highly recommended and welcomed.

  • Please note: Any weapons and full-face Halloween masks are not allowed. Let’s keep those ghoulish grins visible!

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.

The Show - Oaklash featuring Meatball
meatball-cms

The Show
West Garden
8:30 - 9:30 PM

Oaklash returns! Get ready for sickeningly spooky drag performances that will leave you spellbound. Hosted by the one and only Meatball!

Museum of Craft & Design - Craft your own haunted headband!
mcd-cms

Museum of Craft & Design
Science Today
6 - 10 PM

Transform your look into a spine-tingling spectacle and make your own haunted headband with our frightful friends from the Museum of Craft and Design.

The Boo-Tique - Halloween shopping with OK Marketplace
ok-cms

The Boo-Tique
Swamp
6 - 10 PM

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

image: Incoming!
6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm

Asteroids, comets, and the hard-hitting stories of our cosmic origins

Get NightLife emails

Delightful NightLife news, delivered weekly.

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.