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NightLife: Fat & Happy
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
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Access should not be contingent upon body size. Celebrate fat liberation and community with us at a Nightlife centered on making and taking space. Listen in on a thought-provoking discussion, shop a plus-size marketplace, join a fat-positive dance workshop, and more.
Sounds by Starfari
Check out Starfari's exclusive NightLife playlist on the NightLife Spotify page
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
Big Thick Energy - Dance Workshops at 7:30 and 8:30 PM
Big Thick Energy
Piazza
7:30 & 8:30 PM
Own the room with your dance moves. Kat Koenemann is bringing her signature Big Thick Energy workshops to NightLife. Join in and follow along with Kat’s low-impact, high-expression moves, or make up your own!
Panel Discussion - African Hall at 8:00pm
Panel Discussion
African Hall
8:00 PM
Come together for a candid discussion with California naturalist, Sadie Samuels, queer fat liberationist, Angelina Moles, and interdisciplinary artist and activist, Maia Scott. In this conversation, they will focus on the joys and challenges of taking and making space, and how we can increase accessibility to invite fat folks into a variety of activities and settings.
Fierce Fat Flea Market with FierceFatFemme
Fierce Fat Flea Market
Swamp
6 - 10 PM
The Fierce Fat Flea Market is coming to NightLife. Shop our first ever Fierce, Fat, Marketplace, a fat positive space for shopping and community connection, with local vendors curated by the FierceFatFemme herself. Featuring:
MakeArt with Maia Scott and MCD
MakeArt with Maia Scott and MCD
Science Today
6 - 10 PM
- Embrace vulnerability and rechannel negative self-perceptions through a take-home MakeArt Kit from Maia Scott, in collaboration with our good friends at the Museum of Craft and Design.
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
Where did the building blocks of life come from? Journey across space & time to explore how elements are made.
8:30 pm, 9:30 pm
Discover the beauty, variety, and vast complexity of our connections to the network of life that surrounds us.
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.