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Adventure Awaits with Nat Geo Live!

Join National Geographic Live for another incredible season of immersive storytelling and unforgettable imagery.

Hear behind-the-scenes stories from National Geographic’s Explorers, photographers, scientists, filmmakers, and adventurers — live on stage.

National Geographic Explorer and paleontologist Lindsay Zanno

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Washington, D.C. 2022/06/09 National Geographic Explorers Festival. Symposium Program Day Two: Collaboration and the Power Of Collective Impact. National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yuyan in a panel discussion about indigenous sovereignty. The annual NG Explorers Festival gathers scientists, conservationists, educators, storytellers, and supporters at our headquarters to learn how National Geographic Explorers are illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world.

National Geographic Society Explorer, filmmaker, and photographer Kiliii Yüyan

Nat Geo Live Speakers Bureau

National Geographic Live represents world-leading Explorers, photographers, scientists, authors, and filmmakers—individuals who draw on their experiences to inspire, challenge, and motivate audiences.

Book one of our speakers to captivate your next corporate gathering, convention keynote, or private event. Contact us to book a speaker.

Santa Monica, CA - The BroadStage

Featured Event

BabakTafreshi cr Babak Tafreshi

Earth After Dark

Thursday, May 8, 2025
Photographer Babak Tafreshi has spent his career documenting the unbelievable beauty of the night sky and working to connect people through the shared experience of simply looking up. From the Milky Way to the animals that come out after dark here on Earth, experience visual stories of wildlife, humanity, and the cosmos.

Find an Event

VENUE: McCallum Theatre

Once a year, Australia’s most famous reef turns into a snow globe as millions of coral polyps reproduce to send the next generation afloat. This incredible display disguises a harsh truth: the Great Barrier Reef is under attack. More than half of the coral here has died, with climate change bleaching many parts of this vast landscape. But don’t give up hope! There is still plenty to see and plenty to save. With marine biologist Dr. Erika Woolsey, meet some of the most bizarre, colorful species that live in these underwater jungles.

VENUE: Kleinhans Music Hall

Every year, billions of animals migrate in search of food, water, or a mate. Ecologist Lucy Hawkes has scoured the ocean, land, and sky to investigate the astonishing stories of animal perseverance. Join her for a peek into landscapes where some of the planet’s most notable animal athletes move and shake, and follow their beautiful, massive migrations across the globe.

VENUE: Orpheum Theatre

Sharks have roamed the planet’s waters since before the dinosaurs and have evolved into more than 500 species. But only recently have we begun to understand their lives—and how our actions can threaten their survival. Dr. Jess Cramp taps into the National Geographic archives to discover the work of 20th-century women leading shark science and storytelling before she dives into her own cutting-edge research and conservation. Swim alongside her under the vibrant waters of the South Pacific to find out what it truly means to save sharks.

VENUE: Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

Sharks have roamed the planet’s waters since before the dinosaurs and have evolved into more than 500 species. But only recently have we begun to understand their lives—and how our actions can threaten their survival. Dr. Jess Cramp taps into the National Geographic archives to discover the work of 20th-century women leading shark science and storytelling before she dives into her own cutting-edge research and conservation. Swim alongside her under the vibrant waters of the South Pacific to find out what it truly means to save sharks.

VENUE: The Reser

Every year, billions of animals migrate in search of food, water, or a mate. Ecologist Lucy Hawkes has scoured the ocean, land, and sky to investigate the astonishing stories of animal perseverance. Join her for a peek into landscapes where some of the planet’s most notable animal athletes move and shake, and follow their beautiful, massive migrations across the globe.

VENUE: Field Arts & Events Hall

Every year, billions of animals migrate in search of food, water, or a mate. Ecologist Lucy Hawkes has scoured the ocean, land, and sky to investigate the astonishing stories of animal perseverance. Join her for a peek into landscapes where some of the planet’s most notable animal athletes move and shake, and follow their beautiful, massive migrations across the globe.

VENUE: Buddy Holly Hall

Yellowstone National Park’s two million acres of wilderness contain many stories, including one of the best case studies in wildlife conservation. Doug Smith led the project that reintroduced gray wolves to Yellowstone in the 1990s. Go behind the scenes—including never-before-seen photos and videos—of the quest to bring wolves back and the incredible changes that happened after they arrived.

VENUE: Benaroya Hall

Every year, billions of animals migrate in search of food, water, or a mate. Ecologist Lucy Hawkes has scoured the ocean, land, and sky to investigate the astonishing stories of animal perseverance. Join her for a peek into landscapes where some of the planet’s most notable animal athletes move and shake, and follow their beautiful, massive migrations across the globe.

VENUE: Roy Thomson Hall

Antarctica’s name alone conjures imagery of the harshest environment on Earth, but it is more than its monochromatic color scheme of snow and ice. Meet the many species of penguins that waddle and swim through the freezing water, along with an abundance of other life, on a journey south with quantitative ecologist Dr. Heather Lynch.

VENUE: Benaroya Hall

Every year, billions of animals migrate in search of food, water, or a mate. Ecologist Lucy Hawkes has scoured the ocean, land, and sky to investigate the astonishing stories of animal perseverance. Join her for a peek into landscapes where some of the planet’s most notable animal athletes move and shake, and follow their beautiful, massive migrations across the globe.

VENUE: Roy Thomson Hall

Antarctica’s name alone conjures imagery of the harshest environment on Earth, but it is more than its monochromatic color scheme of snow and ice. Meet the many species of penguins that waddle and swim through the freezing water, along with an abundance of other life, on a journey south with quantitative ecologist Dr. Heather Lynch.

VENUE: Benaroya Hall

Every year, billions of animals migrate in search of food, water, or a mate. Ecologist Lucy Hawkes has scoured the ocean, land, and sky to investigate the astonishing stories of animal perseverance. Join her for a peek into landscapes where some of the planet’s most notable animal athletes move and shake, and follow their beautiful, massive migrations across the globe.

VENUE: Roy Thomson Hall

Antarctica’s name alone conjures imagery of the harshest environment on Earth, but it is more than its monochromatic color scheme of snow and ice. Meet the many species of penguins that waddle and swim through the freezing water, along with an abundance of other life, on a journey south with quantitative ecologist Dr. Heather Lynch.

VENUE: Straz Center

Sharks have roamed the planet’s waters since before the dinosaurs and have evolved into more than 500 species. But only recently have we begun to understand their lives—and how our actions can threaten their survival. Dr. Jess Cramp taps into the National Geographic archives to discover the work of 20th-century women leading shark science and storytelling before she dives into her own cutting-edge research and conservation. Swim alongside her under the vibrant waters of the South Pacific to find out what it truly means to save sharks.

VENUE: Overture Center

Once a year, Australia’s most famous reef turns into a snow globe as millions of coral polyps reproduce to send the next generation afloat. This incredible display disguises a harsh truth: the Great Barrier Reef is under attack. More than half of the coral here has died, with climate change bleaching many parts of this vast landscape. But don’t give up hope! There is still plenty to see and plenty to save. With marine biologist Dr. Erika Woolsey, meet some of the most bizarre, colorful species that live in these underwater jungles.

VENUE: Murphy Theatre

Sharks have roamed the planet’s waters since before the dinosaurs and have evolved into more than 500 species. But only recently have we begun to understand their lives—and how our actions can threaten their survival. Dr. Jess Cramp taps into the National Geographic archives to discover the work of 20th-century women leading shark science and storytelling before she dives into her own cutting-edge research and conservation. Swim alongside her under the vibrant waters of the South Pacific to find out what it truly means to save sharks.

VENUE: Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Sharks have roamed the planet’s waters since before the dinosaurs and have evolved into more than 500 species. But only recently have we begun to understand their lives—and how our actions can threaten their survival. Dr. Jess Cramp taps into the National Geographic archives to discover the work of 20th-century women leading shark science and storytelling before she dives into her own cutting-edge research and conservation. Swim alongside her under the vibrant waters of the South Pacific to find out what it truly means to save sharks.

VENUE: The Lincoln Center

Once a year, Australia’s most famous reef turns into a snow globe as millions of coral polyps reproduce to send the next generation afloat. This incredible display disguises a harsh truth: the Great Barrier Reef is under attack. More than half of the coral here has died, with climate change bleaching many parts of this vast landscape. But don’t give up hope! There is still plenty to see and plenty to save. With marine biologist Dr. Erika Woolsey, meet some of the most bizarre, colorful species that live in these underwater jungles.

VENUE: Arts Commons

Yellowstone National Park’s two million acres of wilderness contain many stories, including one of the best case studies in wildlife conservation. Doug Smith led the project that reintroduced gray wolves to Yellowstone in the 1990s. Go behind the scenes—including never-before-seen photos and videos—of the quest to bring wolves back and the incredible changes that happened after they arrived.

VENUE: Arts Commons

Yellowstone National Park’s two million acres of wilderness contain many stories, including one of the best case studies in wildlife conservation. Doug Smith led the project that reintroduced gray wolves to Yellowstone in the 1990s. Go behind the scenes—including never-before-seen photos and videos—of the quest to bring wolves back and the incredible changes that happened after they arrived.

VENUE: Bank of America Performing Arts Center

Yellowstone National Park’s two million acres of wilderness contain many stories, including one of the best case studies in wildlife conservation. Doug Smith led the project that reintroduced gray wolves to Yellowstone in the 1990s. Go behind the scenes—including never-before-seen photos and videos—of the quest to bring wolves back and the incredible changes that happened after they arrived.

VENUE: Kleinhans Music Hall

Sharks have roamed the planet’s waters since before the dinosaurs and have evolved into more than 500 species. But only recently have we begun to understand their lives—and how our actions can threaten their survival. Dr. Jess Cramp taps into the National Geographic archives to discover the work of 20th-century women leading shark science and storytelling before she dives into her own cutting-edge research and conservation. Swim alongside her under the vibrant waters of the South Pacific to find out what it truly means to save sharks.

T.rex
VENUE: The BroadStage

Photographer Babak Tafreshi has spent his career documenting the unbelievable beauty of the night sky and working to connect people through the shared experience of simply looking up. From the Milky Way to the animals that come out after dark here on Earth, experience visual stories of wildlife, humanity, and the cosmos.

VENUE: Buddy Holly Hall

In the Arctic, sea ice is as common as sand in the desert. The ice is vital for transportation, for food, and for living. Half a million Indigenous people call this frosty land home, but they’re not alone. The northern edges of the planet teem with life. Polar bears, musk ox, whales, and caribou co-exist with their human neighbors. Stunning images and awe-inspiring moments abound as photographer Kiliii Yüyan navigates the ice and waters of the polar north.

VENUE: Benaroya Hall

Photographer Babak Tafreshi has spent his career documenting the unbelievable beauty of the night sky and working to connect people through the shared experience of simply looking up. From the Milky Way to the animals that come out after dark here on Earth, experience visual stories of wildlife, humanity, and the cosmos.

VENUE: Benaroya Hall

Photographer Babak Tafreshi has spent his career documenting the unbelievable beauty of the night sky and working to connect people through the shared experience of simply looking up. From the Milky Way to the animals that come out after dark here on Earth, experience visual stories of wildlife, humanity, and the cosmos.

VENUE: Benaroya Hall

Photographer Babak Tafreshi has spent his career documenting the unbelievable beauty of the night sky and working to connect people through the shared experience of simply looking up. From the Milky Way to the animals that come out after dark here on Earth, experience visual stories of wildlife, humanity, and the cosmos.

VENUE: Arts Commons

The midwaters of the ocean are one of the least-explored ecosystems on Earth, but its inhabitants have inspired all kinds of technologies. The work of bioengineer Dr. Kakani Katija has led to jellyfish-inspired robotics and more. Come on a dive into the midwaters of the ocean— one of the least-explored ecosystems on Earth—to discover sea creatures with the potential to make big impacts on some of the world’s most critical problems.

VENUE: Arts Commons

The midwaters of the ocean are one of the least-explored ecosystems on Earth, but its inhabitants have inspired all kinds of technologies. The work of bioengineer Dr. Kakani Katija has led to jellyfish-inspired robotics and more. Come on a dive into the midwaters of the ocean— one of the least-explored ecosystems on Earth—to discover sea creatures with the potential to make big impacts on some of the world’s most critical problems.

VENUE: Roy Thomson Hall

Discover the marvels of our cosmic backyard through the eyes of the robotic spacecraft sent out to explore it. Aerospace engineer Tracy Drain works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop, test, and operate the complex machines that uncover some of the countless mysteries within and beyond our solar system.

VENUE: Roy Thomson Hall

Discover the marvels of our cosmic backyard through the eyes of the robotic spacecraft sent out to explore it. Aerospace engineer Tracy Drain works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop, test, and operate the complex machines that uncover some of the countless mysteries within and beyond our solar system.

VENUE: Roy Thomson Hall

Discover the marvels of our cosmic backyard through the eyes of the robotic spacecraft sent out to explore it. Aerospace engineer Tracy Drain works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop, test, and operate the complex machines that uncover some of the countless mysteries within and beyond our solar system.

National Geographic Concerts

Experience iconic National Geographic footage brought to life by the emotional performance of a live symphony orchestra. National Geographic Concerts invite audiences to explore the world and embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure right from the seats of local performing arts centers. Join a stirring musical journey and be inspired as the sights and sounds of our world’s natural wonders take center stage.

FAQs

For Venues, Companies, and Potential Partners

Contact us at nglive@ngs.org.

National Geographic has a Speakers Bureau offering a broad range of talent, covering a variety of topics related to exploration, adventure, discovery, science, conservation, history, and current events. Please contact us at speakers@ngs.org so we may understand more about your event and help identify a speaker within your budget.

Nat Geo Live is made possible through ticket sales and sponsorship revenue. For more information about how you, your foundation, or your company can get involved, please email nglive@ngs.org for more details.

In the era before television and movies, the National Geographic Society delivered a world of adventure to its Washington D.C. members by inviting prominent explorers and scientists to speak about their work. In February 1888–just one month after the Society’s founding and before the first published National Geographic magazine–explorer John Wesley Powell inaugurated the speakers series by delivering a talk about the physical geography of the United States.

Very quickly the Society began attracting explorers eager to tell their stories, including Fridtjof Nansen, an Artic explorer; Gifford Pinchot, founder of the U.S. Forest Service; and mountaineer Annie S. Peck, who told of climbing peaks in the Alps and volcanoes in Mexico. Thousands gathered to hear Roald Amundsen, soon to be the first man to reach the South Pole, discuss his recent navigation of the Northwest Passage.

Photo credits (from top of page): Sam Kittner, Jeanne Modderman, Sam Kittner, Mark Thiessen, Kris Ugarriza, John Landino, Terry Virts, National Geographic, Brian Skerry, John Landino, Mark Synnott

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