Rare $5 “Academy Day” at California Academy of Sciences (2025)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

On Friday, April 4, join the California Academy of Sciences as it celebrates the anniversary of its founding with the third annual Academy Day. The festivities feature a plethora of fun and educational activities, including pay-what-you-can pricing starting as low as $5; a new live webcam of Claude, the beloved albino alligator; a science fair; live music; meet-n-greets; and more.

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

Plus, get access to two exciting newly opened exhibits, Dino Days and Unseen Oceans, and a full program of activities:

•  9–11 a.m. | San Francisco Conservatory of Music Jazz Trio | Concourse
  Start your day off on a groovy note with live music at the museum’s main entrance.
• 10 a.m. | Welcome by paleontologist and Academy Executive Director Scott Sampson of Dinosaur Train | Science Fair, Piazza
  Executive Director Scott Sampson will kick off the Science Fair with a welcome that will include highlights about the new Regeneration Circle and how we can help regenerate the natural world.
• 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | Science Fair | Piazza
  Join our one-day-only Science Fair to see live demonstrations, learn something new, and find out what you can do to regenerate nature from Academy scientists, volunteers, and staff.
• 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. | Meet Buddy from Dinosaur Train | East and West Gardens
  You’ve seen him on TV, now meet him in real life! Buddy from the PBS Kids show Dinosaur Train will be roaming the gardens all day. Step outside to see 13 impressive animatronic dinosaurs in Dino Days and meet Buddy for yourself!
• 9:30 a.m.–10 a.m. | Claude Cam Virtual Launch | YouTube
  If you can’t make Academy Day, join us virtually for the Claude Cam Launch Party, where we’ll share some Claude lore, read his fanmail, and host a live Q&A with Claude experts.
• 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Photobooth | Aquarium entrance
  Snap a pic to commemorate your epic Academy Day adventure. 
• 10:30 a.m.–11 a.m. | Claude Cam Live Launch and Special Swamp Talk | The Swamp
  Help celebrate the launch of the new livestream webcam with an old-fashioned, in-person ribbon-cutting and special conversation with an Academy scientist who knows Claude well. 
• 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Face Painting
  Transform into your favorite Academy animal with the help of talented face painters.
• 12 p.m.–3 p.m. | Lindsay Wildlife Animal Scales and Tails! | East Garden
  Meet Lindsay Wildlife’s animal ambassadors.

Academy Day celebrates the community and philanthropy that make everything the Academy does possible, and encourages donations of any amount to help sustain the museum’s awe-inspiring exhibits and award-winning educational programming; care for our more than 60,000 live animals; and advance the Academy’s mission to regenerate the natural world.

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.