Upcoming events by category

San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo Events
Current Hours (through June 27):

9 a.m.–4 p.m. (grounds close at 6 p.m.)

Summer Hours/Nighttime Zoo (June 28–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)

Bear Awareness Days

Through May 11 We celebrate all things bear with special talks for our visitors and activities for our bruins. More...

Book Signing: The Panda Who Would Not Eat

May 9 Author Ruth Todd Evans will read and sign her book about Shi Shi, a panda who lived at the San Diego Zoo. More...

All About Enrichment Weekend

May 10 and 11 Keeper talks and fun activities for our animal residents will be held throughout each day. Future dates:

June 14 and 15

July 12 and 13

August 9 and 10
September 13 and 14

More...

Plant Day & Orchid Odyssey

May 16 We highlight our flora with a free botanical bus tour and orchid greenhouse open house. Future dates:

June 20

July 18

August 15

September 7 and 15

More..

Garden Celebration

May 17 and 18 This year's annual Garden Celebration focuses on how the five senses are stimulated by gardens and plants. More...

Orchid Odyssey

June 1 Tour our orchid greenhouse, open just a few days each year. Future date:

September 15

More..

Nighttime Zoo

June 28September 1 Stay at the Zoo until 9 p.m. and enjoy special shows, activities, and animal encounters! More...

Founder's Day

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

Families & Children

KinderNights

An animal presentation and snack are part of these special adventures, for children ages 36 with an adult. Available dates below:

May 9 and 30 Let’s Hear It for Herbivores!

June 6 and 13 Can You Say “Carnivore”?

More...

Registration begins for 5K Walk on the Wild Side

May 15 We're taking registrations for this fun, annual walk through the Zoo, meeting critters along the way. Fun for the whole family! More...

Kids' Safari

May 17 Ride the Balboa Park miniature train and meet an animal, make a craft, and eat a snack. For ages 37 with an adult. Sold out

Fathers & Kids Sleepover

June 14 and 28 Kids ages 4 and up can have a fun overnight adventure with their dads at the Zoo! More...

Summer Art Camp

June 16—August 15 Join professional artists for these popular five-day art classes and uncover your hidden talent! More...

Summer Camp

July 7–August 15 Grades K–7 can choose one or two weeks of animal-related fun! 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 8 Children ages 4 and 5 with a yen for animals can spend one or two weeks 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

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

Mother's Day Sleepover

May 10 and 17 Come spend the night at the Zoo while meeting some marvelous animal mothers. For adult ladies only. More...

Conservation Medal Award Dinner

May 15 Help us highlight and honor those who have made important strides in conservation. More...

Registration begins for 5K Walk on the Wild Side

May 15 We're taking registrations for this fun, annual walk through the Zoo, meeting critters along the way. Fun for the whole family! More...

State of Endangered Species—Climate Change

May 16 This annual forum addresses the topic of how species are affected by climate change. More...

An Encounter with Art and Animals

Learn from an expert art instructor and use a different animal model for each session. Available dates below:

May 17 and 24: Sessions 3 and 4

More...

Special Speakers—Polar Bear Conservation and Arctic Adventures

May 21 Our polar bear keeper and our teen Arctic Ambassador discuss effects of climate change on polar bears. More...

Sunrise Surprise Strolls

June 15 A Zoo educator will guide you on an up-close animal presentation and a behind-the-scenes visit or keeper talk. More...

R*I*T*Z

June 21 This year’s signature fund-raising gala is a dollop of turn-of-the-century elegance. 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...

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 (through June 20):
9 a.m.4 p.m. (grounds close at 5 p.m.)

Summer Hours/Park At Dark (June 21–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.)

General (included with admission)

Nativescapes Garden Walking Tour

May 10 Take a guided walking tour of the Nativescapes Garden at 10 a.m. No reservations are required. More....

Book Signing: Here, There and Everywhere

May 10 Author Mira Tweti is available 1–3 p.m. to sign copies of her book about Sreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet the Lorikeet. More...

Founder's Day

May 14 Free general admission to all as we celebrate the Wild Animal Park's 36th year!

Park At Dark

June 21September 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...

Families & Children

Mother's Day Sleepover

May 10 Moms with children ages 4 and up will learn about some amazing animal mothers and meet a lion keeper. 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:

May 10, 17, 24, and 31

June 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29

July 5, 6, 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...

Beastly Bedtime

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

June 19 and 26

July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31

August 7, 14, 21, and 28

More...

Wild Animal Camp

June 25August 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...

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...

Critter Connection

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 and Sundays 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

Silver Tuesdays

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

June 3 Okapis
October 7 Bonobos

November 4 Hoofed Stock

December 2 Hospital Keepers

More...

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:

May 11 and 31

June 7, 15, and 28

July 12, 13, and 26

More...

CRES Seminar Series

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

May 14, 21, and 28

More...

Photo Sleepover

May 18 Focus on this camping opportunity for photo buffs to take pictures at the Park—without the crowds! More...

Cats & Carnivores Tour

Meet a carnivore up close and visit an off-exhibit cat area. Available dates below:
May 25

June 8 and 27

July 11

August 8

September 20 and 28

October 11 and 19

November 8, 16, and 28

December 6

More...

Night Moves

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

June 14, 21, and 28

July 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27

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

More...

A Taste of CRES

Tour our research facility, then enjoy a cheese and wine-tasting reception during a presentation by a researcher. Available dates below:

July 5 Rhinos, with Dr. Ron Swaisgood
October 4 Polar Bears, with Megan Owen

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...