Entry No. 41 — the San Francisco file — filed under: planetarium

NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences

Every Thursday night the natural history museum — rainforest dome, aquarium, and all — reopens as a 21+ after-dark event: DJs and cocktails move through the same halls as roughly 60,000 living animals, while the Morrison Planetarium runs separate ticketed shows at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30pm that reliably sell out.

The move: Buy planetarium passes online in advance, watch a night-sky show under the Academy's dome, then drift down to the aquarium level where the moon jellies glow under blacklight while the DJ set plays overhead.

• 📍 Golden Gate Park
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site

last checked: 2026-07-20