Science lovers of all ages will revel in a festive array of winter-themed activities throughout the museum, from jolly live shows to falling snow and adorable baby animals, here for a limited time!
See pairs of visiting baby animals in the East Garden. Learn about their species’ cold weather adaptations and the habitats they call home.
Nov. 23 - Dec. 5: Baby reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), 7 mos
Dec. 6-19 - Baby dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), 6 mos and 11 mos
Dec. 20-Jan 5 - Baby Tibetan yak (Bos grunniens), 4 mos, 6 mos
Daily animal programs, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Sidle up to our li’l hoofers and learn all about them from knowledgeable presenters. Discover how reindeer travel up to 3,000 miles per year in the wild thanks to some unique adaptations, or how camel calluses are a genius adaptation that protects them from blazing hot sand. Hear how these animals are cared for (including what books the baby yaks like to be read!), and unearth the significance of reindeer, camels, and yaks to human populations all over the world. Learn about the climate threats impacting not just these animals and their native habitats, but also the humans who depend on them.
Flurries are in the forecast for San Francisco! Twirl under falling snow in the Piazza, twice an hour (non-toxic, non-staining, biodegradable).
Take in festive holiday decor, twinkling lights, and seasonal polar bear and penguin photo ops.
Visit the Naturalist Center for hands-on exploration. Learn about arctic Indigenous climate leadership, and get up close to touchable specimens, including a real wolf pelt, caribou antlers, and a replica narwhal tusk.
Enjoy live music, dance, vocal, and magic performances from over a dozen local cultural groups:
Friday., Nov. 29 - Sloat Singers, youth chorus.
Saturday, Nov. 30 - Deutscher MusikVerein of San Francisco, festive holiday music with a traditional German twist.
Sunday, Dec. 1 - Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu - Keiki Hula, contemporary youth hula dance.
Friday, Dec. 20 - Kyle Foster Arts, a captivating magic show.
Saturday, Dec. 21 - San Francisco High School of the Arts performing a mix of traditional cultural dances.
Sunday, Dec. 22 - The Sewer Band, beloved Marin county “non-marching” band.
Monday, Dec. 23 and Tuesday, Dec. 24 - Drumming Magic, interactive rhythm-based performance.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, Thursday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Dec. 27 - Perry Yan, family-fun magic show.
Saturday, Dec. 28 - Alliana and Melissa’s Holiday Cheer, a festive musical variety show.
Sunday, Dec. 29 and Monday, Dec. 30 - The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, performing as tap dancing penguins.
Tuesday, Dec. 31 - Kyle Foster Arts, a captivating magic show.
Wednesday, Jan. 1 - Ukulele Friends Ohana, stringed performers bring island vibes.
Thursday, Jan. 2 - Alliana and Melissa’s Holiday Cheer, a festive musical variety show.
Friday, Jan. 3 - Upwelling by Amelia, an ocean-inspired dance show with a deep sea soundtrack.
Saturday, Jan. 4 - Drumming Magic, interactive rhythm-based performance. Sunday, Jan. 5 - Cal VSA Lion Dance, UC Berkeley’s student-run lion dance team.
See daily calendar for performance times and details
