Upcoming events by category

San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo Events
Current Hours/Nighttime Zoo (through September 1):

9 a.m.8 p.m. (grounds close at 9 p.m.)
Fall Hours (September 2–October 5):
9 a.m.–4 p.m. (grounds close at 6 p.m.)

Founder's Day Hours (October 6):

9 a.m.–5 p.m. (grounds close at 6 p.m.)

Fall/Winter Hours (October 7–March 8):

9 a.m.–4 p.m. (grounds close at 5 p.m.)

General (included with admission)

Nighttime Zoo

Through September 1 Stay at the Zoo until 9 p.m. and enjoy special shows, activities, and animal encounters! More...

All About Enrichment Weekend

July 12 and 13 Keeper talks and fun activities for our animal residents will be held throughout each day. Future dates:

August 9 and 10
September 13 and 14

October 11 and 12

November 8 and 9
December 13 and 14

More...

Plant Day & Orchid Odyssey

July 18 We highlight our flora with a free botanical bus tour and orchid greenhouse open house. Future dates:

August 15

September 7 and 14

October 17

November 21
December 19

More..

Orchid Odyssey

September 14 Tour our orchid greenhouse, open just a few days each year. More..

Founder's Day

October 6 Free general admission to all as we celebrate the San Diego Zoo's 92nd year!

Families & Children

Summer Art Camp

Through August 15 Join professional artists for these popular five-day art classes and uncover your hidden talent! More...

Summer Camp

Through August 15 Choose one or two weeks of animal-related fun! Space still available for grades 2–7. More...

Safari Sleepover

"Family Fiesta" is this year's sleepover theme for adventurous families with children ages 4 and up. Dates offered:

July 12, 19, and 26

August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30

More...

Cub Camp—NEW!

July 14–August 1 Children ages 4 and 5 with a yen for animals can spend five days at this fun new day camp. More...

Little Artists

July 28–August 15 Grades 1–3 can choose one or two weeks of fun art-making experiences and animal encounters. Sold out

KinderNights

September 19 and 26 Little ones ages 3–6, with an adult, can learn about wildlife while wearing their pajamas! More...

5K Walk on the Wild Side

October 11 We're taking registrations for this fun, annual walk through the Zoo, meeting critters along the way. Fun for the whole family! More...

Spooky Sleepover

Get in the spirit of the Halloween season at this good-natured overnight adventure, for families with children ages 4 and older. Dates offered:

October 11, 18, and 25

More...

Special and VIP Tours

Available daily A personal tour of the Zoo for your group includes behind-the-scenes areas. For adults and/or families with children. More...

Sleepovers

Zoo sleepovers are offered with a variety of themes and options. Spend the night at the Zoo! More...

Adults

Pandas, Polars, and Pancakes

July 12 and 13 This exclusive event is the fulfillment of an panda and polar bear lover's heart's desire. More...

Summer Art Encounters

Get your inspiration from the flora and fauna in the Zoo's collection. Several one-day classes are offered. Available dates below:

July 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25: Art in the Garden

August 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29: Individualized Wildlife Drawing

More...

Wild Fiesta! Safari Sleepover

August 23 and 30 The focus is on Latin American wildlife and culture during this fun sleepover for adults. More...

Sunrise Surprise Strolls

Get the inside scoop about our Zoo animals before we open for the day. A different tour each month! Available dates below:

September 7 and 27

October 25 and 26

More...

Zoo-Napped! Sleepover

September 13 and 27 Help your team gather clues to solve a mystery and see what mirth follows! For adults only. More...

Celebration for the Critters

September 20 Aussie Adventure is the theme for San Diego's largest gourmet food and beverage tasting event this year. More...

Special Speakers: Amphibian Extinction Crisis

September 24 Learn about the Zoo's programs to help save these fragile species. More...

5K Walk on the Wild Side

October 11 We're taking registrations for this fun, annual walk through the Zoo, meeting critters along the way. Fun for the whole family! More...

Special Speakers: Cool and Creepy Critters

October 22 Meet some fascinating animals from the Zoo's Wild Ones show. Be sure to bring your camera! More...

Special and VIP Tours

Available daily A personal tour of the Zoo for your group includes behind-the-scenes areas. For adults and/or families with children. More...

Sleepovers

Zoo sleepovers are offered with a variety of themes and options. Spend the night at the Zoo! More...

Zoo on TV

Local Television Listings

Check schedule for local news featuring San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park animals. More...

Wild Animal Park
Wild Animal Park Events
Current Hours/Park At Dark (through September 1):

9 a.m.8 p.m. (grounds close at 9 p.m.)

Fall Hours (September 2–December 12):

9 a.m.–4 p.m. (grounds close at 5 p.m.)

Winter Hours/Festival of Lights (December 13–23, 26–30):

9 a.m.–8 p.m. (grounds close at 9 p.m.)

Winter/Spring Hours (December 24 and 25, December 31–mid-June):

9 a.m.–4 p.m. (grounds close at 5 p.m.)

General (included with admission)

Park At Dark

Through September 1 Stay at the Park until 9 p.m. and enjoy special shows, activities, and animal encounters! More...

Fisher-Price® Play Weekend

August 2 and 3 Loaded with the coolest toys from Fisher-Price, our giant playspace is bursting with activity! Ideal for children under age 6. More...

Garden Festival

October 4 and 5 This year's theme is "Fall Into Bloom." We'll have displays, demonstrations, and activities for children. More...

Festival of Lights

December 13–23, 26–30 We illuminate the holiday season this December with our annual Festival of Lights. Details will follow soon.

Families & Children

Wild Animal Camp

Through August 15 Our brand new summer camp program for grades 19 will be the best ever, with 1, 2, 3, or 5 days of fun! More...

Jumatano Roar & Snore Sleepover

Families with children ages 8 and up can enjoy an African-themed sleepover. Dates offered:

July 9, 16, 23, and 30

August 6, 13, and 20

More...

Beastly Bedtime

Families with children ages 4 and up can enjoy a cool camping experience filled with animal-related fun! Dates offered:

July 10, 17, 24, and 31

August 7, 14, 21, and 28

More...

Family Caravan tour

Families with children ages 6 and up meet two animals up close and ride a caravan truck into our large field exhibits. Dates offered:

July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27

August 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31

September 6, 13, 20, and 27

More...

Wild CSI: DNA Summer Camp

July 21–25 Students entering grades 7 and 8 will solve a mystery at our research center that involves endangered species. More...

Conservation Corps: Orientation Sessions

August 17 and 23 Teens do field projects and learn to teach the public about conservation. Attend one of these free orientations for info. More...

Halloween Roar & Snore Sleepover

October 31 We have some silly fun planned for families with ghosts and ghouls ages 4 and up. More...

Thanksgiving Roar & Snore Sleepover

November 28 and 29 For families with children ages 4 and older, this sleepover includes a holiday dinner and special visit from Santa! More...

Festival of Lights Roar & Snore Sleepover

Families with children ages 8 and older can enjoy a special sleepover that includes private time on Snow Hill and a scavenger hunt! Dates offered:

December 13, 20, 26, and 27

January 2 and 3

More...

Savanna Safari

Daily Visit all the places on the Journey into Africa tour, as well as other areas not on the tour, from an intimate safari cart. More...

Ride on the Wild Side

Daily Venture deeper into the Wild Animal Park experience on an electric cart to meet an animal up close and visit two cat bedroom areas. More...

Critter Connection

Available daily Add a special experience to your visit with a private animal presentation for groups of up to 40 people. More...

VIP Tours

Available daily A personal tour of the Park for your group includes behind-the-scenes areas. For adults and/or families with children. More...

Photo Caravan Safari Tours

Daily Journey into the Park's huge field exhibits in an open caravan truck, with a chance to feed giraffes and rhinos! More...

Cheetah Run Safari

Saturdays Witness the world's fastest land mammal do what it does best—run! For ages 8 and up. More...

Roar & Snore Sleepovers

Year-round Embark on an exciting overnight experience in one of the world's most fascinating natural settings! More...

Adults

CRES Seminar Series

Hear directly from researchers as they share their studies during this free series at the Beckman Research Center. Schedule below:

July 9, 14, 16, 23, and 28

More...

Night Moves

Our adults-only caravan tour puts the focus on love in the Animal Kingdom and include a special speaker. Dates offered:

July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27

August 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17

More...

Brewmaster Dinner

July 19 The Wild Animal Park and Stone Brewing Co. present an evening of gourmet food and brews! Sold out

Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center Tour

Join us on an exclusive tour of our state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, the finest facility of its kind. Available dates below:

July 26

August 10 and 30
September 6, 14, and 27

October 4, 12, and 25

November 1, 9, and 29

December 6 and 14

More...

Young Adult Sleepover

July 27 This special sleepover for ages 18 and older includes a movie and popcorn! More...

Photo Sleepover

September 7 and 14 Unique animal viewing opportunities are available during this sleepover designed for photo buffs. More...

A Taste of CRES

October 4 Tour our research facility, then enjoy a cheese and wine-tasting reception during a presentation about polar bears. More...

Silver Tuesdays

Perfect for seniors and mobility-challenged adults, listen to one of our animal experts during a special luncheon. Available dates below:

October 7 Bonobos

November 4 Hoofed Animals

December 2 Hospital Keepers

More...

Savanna Safari

Daily Visit all the places on the Journey into Africa tour, as well as other areas not on the tour, from an intimate safari cart. More...

Ride on the Wild Side

Daily Venture deeper into the Wild Animal Park experience on an electric cart to meet an animal up close and visit two cat bedroom areas. More...

VIP Tours

Available daily A personal tour of the Park for your group includes behind-the-scenes areas. For adults and/or families with children. More...

Photo Caravan Safari Tours

Daily Journey into the Park's huge field exhibits in an open caravan truck, with a chance to feed giraffes and rhinos! More...

Cheetah Run Safari

Saturdays and Sundays Witness the world's fastest land mammal do what it does best—run! For ages 8 and up. More...

Sleepovers

Year-round Embark on an exciting overnight experience in one of the world's most fascinating natural settings! More...