Rare $5 “Academy Day” at California Academy of Sciences (2026)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

On Thursday, March 26, 2026 join the California Academy of Sciences as it celebrates the anniversary of its founding with its annual Academy Day. The festivities feature a plethora of fun and educational activities, including pay-what-you-can pricing starting as low as $5.

What special activities are scheduled for Academy Day?
From a science fair to animal meet-and-greets, the museum will be packed with family-friendly activities and programs all day. View the schedule toward the top of this page for details, and stay tuned for a downloadable map!

On Academy Day, pay-what-you-can tickets are available, which allows all science-lovers to come join us in the museum for as little as $5 a ticket—or up to $173 in honor of our 173rd anniversary! Generous donors to the Academy make this possible with their ongoing support of the Academy.

How to get $5 Tickets

Choose tickets for April 4, 2025 and the move the “pay what you can” slider to the left to get $5 tickets

2026 Academy Day Schedule

9 a.m.–12 noon: Jazz Trio (Concourse) Start your day off on a groovy note with live music at our main entrance.

9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (Museum opens 9:30 a.m.)

• Information Table (T. rex) Plan your day, donate, and pick up exclusive Academy Day giveaways (while supplies last).
• San Franpsycho Merch Table (Piazza) Made by The Bay. Printed in SF. Shop San Franpsycho and stay cozy in the world’s softest shirts, hoodies, and beanies. Plus, SFP is giving back 30% of purchases as a donation in celebration of Academy Day.
• FUNdraising Fair (Piazza) Support the Academy and have fun doing it. Mystery bags, sticker packs, and more! Plus, a special visit from our friends Violet from the Golden State Valkyries and Buddy from Dinosaur Train.
• Silent Auction (Piazza and online) Bid on fun, fabulous items like gift baskets, penguin paintings, and a mystery blind box!
• Science Fair (East Garden) Join our one-day-only Science Fair and engage with Academy scientists, volunteers, and staff. Plus, chat with Peninsula Precious Plastics and shop eco-conscious items!

10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Photobooth (Aquarium entrance) Snap a selfie to commemorate your epic Academy Day adventure.

10:30 a.m.: Planetarium Giveaway (Planetarium) Make a reservation for the first planetarium show of the day, Incoming!, and get a chance to win random giveaway items!

11 a.m.–3 p.m.: Face Painting (West Garden) Transform into your favorite Academy animal with the help of our face painters.

11:45 a.m.–1 p.m.: Dinos with Dr. Scott (Piazza) Dinosaur Train‘s Dr. Scott Sampson shares his favorite dino facts. Come early and stay after the presentation to get a photo and meet his good friend, Buddy the Dino!

12 noon–3 p.m.: Lindsay Wildlife Animal Meet and Greet (East Garden) Meet Lindsay Wildlife’s animal ambassadors—including raptors!

1–1:45 p.m.: California Native Wildlife Presentation (East Garden) Learn about the Golden State’s fauna with Lindsay Wildlife.

5 p.m.: Museum closes (last entry 4 p.m.)

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.