SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 12, 2026) — On Sunday, January 18, the California Academy of Sciences will celebrate the life and legacy of Claude, San Francisco’s dearly departed albino alligator, with a free outdoor community celebration of life featuring stories, speeches, musical performances, and activities for Claude fans of all ages.
Hosted by emcee and Bay Area news icon and author Dion Lim, the memorial will take place in the Golden Gate Park Bandshell from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, and will be livestreamed for Claude’s global fans. A joyful and reflective program will include stories shared by Claude’s Steinhart Aquarium care team, a youth poetry reading from 826 Valencia, and speeches from government leaders including Assemblymember Catherine Stefani and Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who will share the results of a public voting campaign to rename a city street “Claude the Albino Alligator Way” in the late gator’s honor.
In a nod to Claude’s roots in Louisiana, where he hatched in 1995, the band MJ’s Brass Boppers will lead a vibrant NOLA-style second line processional around the Music Concourse, encouraging fans to join in as we celebrate Claude’s life through music and dance. A Claude costume contest, with categories for children, adults, groups, and pets, will give fans the opportunity to showcase their creativity while competing for prizes including a yearlong Academy family membership, limited-edition Claude merchandise, and more. Popular social media librarian and host of PBS’ Reading Rainbow Mychal Threets will be joined by SF Drag Laureate Per Sia for storytime readings of the children’s books written about Claude, and the San Francisco Public Library will be giving out special-edition Claude library cards.
Fans are invited to participate in a community remembrance activity by adding memorial notes to a 16-foot alligator silhouette, taking part in face painting, or enjoying a special Claude-inspired “art-to-go” activity from our neighbors at the de Young Museum, who are also offering free general admission for adults with a Cal Academy ticket stub (valid 1/18–25). San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal will also be on hand to greet fans and join in Claude’s celebration of life, and the crowd will come together in a coordinated Claude CHOMP! Throughout the day KALW DJ Patrick King Most will infuse the program with music, and SnapFiesta will be offering free photobooth prints with Claude backgrounds.
Following the free outdoor program, guests are encouraged to visit the Academy to shop an exclusive marketplace of commemorative Claude memorabilia from local artists and vendors, create special Claude crafts with Workshop SF, and enjoy games and programs like Claude trivia, scientist talks, and more. The events taking place in the Bandshell will also be livestreamed inside the museum for indoor viewers to enjoy. Active membership or ticket required for museum admission.
Read on for more details on the day’s program and facts about Claude.
CLAUDE FOREVER: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Sunday, January 18, 2026
11 a.m.–1 p.m., rain or shine (free)
Golden Gate Bandshell, Golden Gate Park Music Concourse, San Francisco, CA 94118 (map)
Livestream link
11 a.m.–5 p.m., additional activities inside the California Academy of Sciences (active membership or ticket required)
Outdoor program highlights: (free)
- Vibrant NOLA-style second line parade featuring music and dance, led by MJ’s Brass Boppers
- Stories from Claude’s Steinhart Aquarium care team
- Youth poetry reading from 826 Valencia
- Speeches from government leaders, including Assemblymember Catherine Stefani and Supervisor Myra Melgar
- Unveiling of the street sign for “Claude the Albino Alligator Way,” a newly dedicated street
- Appearance by San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal
- Coordinated community Claude CHOMP!
- Claude costume contest + prizes (12 and under, 13 and up, group, and pet categories)
- Claude children’s book storytime with Reading Rainbow host Mychal Threets and SF Drag Laureate Per Sia
- SF Public Library special edition Claude library cards
- Community remembrance activity welcoming fans to share memorial notes on a 16-foot alligator silhouette
- Claude-inspired “art-to-go” activity courtesy of the de Young Museum (free de Young general admission for 2 adults with a Cal Academy ticket stub, valid 1/18–25)
- Free SnapFiesta photobooth prints with Claude backgrounds
- Music from KALW’s DJ Patrick King Most
- Program will be livestreamed
Museum activations: (active membership or ticket required)
- Limited edition giveaways (while supplies last)
- Local artisan market featuring commemorative Claude souvenirs available for purchase, featuring:
- Special public programs including Claude trivia, Swamp Talk, and crafts
- Crafts from Workshop SF
- “Meet a Scientist” flash talks
- Voice messages for Claude in the Wilson Family Nature Lab
- Livestream projection (11 a.m.–1 p.m.)
ALL ABOUT CLAUDE:
Claude hatched in 1995 at an alligator farm in Louisiana, and came to live at the Academy in 2008 in the new Renzo Piano-designed facility. While Claude is the first American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) with albinism at the Academy, his presence builds on over 100 years of alligators at Steinhart Aquarium, which has included a fan-favorite Swamp exhibit since the Aquarium’s opening in 1923.
Over his 17 years at the Academy, Claude delighted and captivated more than 22 million visitors and showed us the power of ambassador animals to connect people with nature and science. He was celebrated as the unofficial mascot of the Academy and San Francisco itself, embodying the city’s values of welcoming and appreciating everyone, including those who are a little bit different. Claude regularly received fan mail, gifts, and artwork from adoring fans across the world who conveyed just how much he meant to them. In September 2025, the Academy marked his 30th birthday with a full month of festivities, including an unforgettable birthday party where thousands of fans joined in to sing him happy hatchday, hear tributes from government officials and City leadership, and witness Claude delivering a memorable CHOMP when presented with a specially made alligator birthday cake (made of fish and ice).
Claude sadly passed away on December 2, 2025, after being monitored for low appetite and a suspected infection. A necropsy performed by experts at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine revealed Claude had liver cancer, a challenging condition to diagnose due to alligators’ propensity to hide illness. Since his passing, thousands of fans worldwide have shared heartwarming memories and stories, and a steady stream of artwork and condolences for his care team continues to pour in from across the globe.