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NightLife: Puppies & Puppets
Buy ahead to skip the line and save on tickets. 21+.
Event has passed.
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NightLife just got a whole lot cuter! For one night only: Meet charming rescue pups from Muttville, explore the enchanting world of puppetry, and so much more. We invite you to bring out your inner kid (without the kids around) in this evening full of adorable antics.
Sounds by RIETA
Check out RIETA's exclusive NightLife playlist on the NightLife Spotify page
Music
The Pups - Muttville in the East Garden from 6 - 8 PM
The Pups
East Garden
6 - 8 PM
- Kick off the paw-ty with our furry friends at Muttville! Meet a lovable group of rescue dogs and find out how you can adopt, foster, volunteer or donate so they can keep on saving senior dogs!
- Plus stop by the Beyond Rescue table and hear about their commitment of making sure all dogs go to loving homes.
Important notes:
- The dogs will only be available to see while their energy lasts, so come early!
- You cannot complete a Muttville adoption at NightLife.
Nocturnal Puppies & Puppets - Live talks and Shadowpuppets in African Hall
Nocturnal Puppies & Puppets
African Hall
Schedule TBD
- Join Wildlife Ecologist Phoebe Parker-Shames from the Presidio Trust for a fascinating talk about some of San Francisco's wilder puppies – coyotes! Learn about coyote pup behavior, how they have adapted to city life, and some of the ruff challenges of managing in human inhabited spaces.
- Step into the whimsical world of shadow theater with the talented team at ShadowLight! Experience a live shadow puppet demonstration with artists Fred Riley, Aureen Almario, and Tracy Nguyen, then roll up your sleeves with an interactive hands-on workshop.
DIY Puppet Shows - Craft your own puppet and put it on stage!
DIY Puppet Shows
Science Today
6 - 10 PM
The Museum of Craft and Design (MCD) and Ramon Abad of Ramon Puppetry are bringing Puppet Palooza to your screen! Stop by MCD’s MakeArt station to craft your own sock, paper, or finger puppet, then bring it to life on camera. Local artist and puppeteer Ramon Abad will lead you through the process, helping you film your puppet in action using your phone and some creative scenic backdrops.
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
Where did the building blocks of life come from? Journey across space & time to explore how elements are made.
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.