FONZ and the National Zoo host a variety of fun and educational special events and celebrations. Some are free, some are fundraisers, and all are a guaranteed
great time. 
a note about tickets
For information on membership or our events, please call 
202.633.4470.
2010 Events
More information and tickets for each event will be available as each event approaches.
January 10-March 7 – Wild Side Stage
Our new Wild Side Stage performance series for children features musicians, storytellers, dancers, and puppets as well as special visits to animal exhibits. Tickets are on sale now.
February 12 – Woo at the Zoo
Don’t miss the Zoo's Valentine’s Day event for singles and sweethearts. Tickets are sold out.
April 5 – Easter Monday
A Washington-area multicultural tradition, this event features special family activities, live entertainment, talks with Smithsonian scientists, and more. Free and open to the public.
April 17 – Cockadoodle Zoo
This members-only morning event lets Friends of the National Zoo sneak a peek at how Zoo animals and staff rise and shine.
Free and open to members only.
April 24 – Earth Day Celebration
Come to the National Zoo to Celebrate Earth Day! Free and open to the public.
May 14 – Guppy Gala
Dive into an ocean of fun with Guppy Gala, our special event just for kids and their families. Tickets will go on sale as the event approaches.
May 20 – National ZooFari
ZooFari brings together 100 of the area’s finest restaurants and vintners from around the country for an evening of gourmet foods, fine wines, fabulous entertainment, a great auction, and dancing under the stars. Tickets will go on sale as the event approaches.
July 10 – Garden Day
Explore the uniqueness of Zoo horticulture and how plants and animals coexist! Learn what you can do in your own backyard, and enjoy gardening displays and activities for kids. Free and open to the public.
July 15 – Brew at the Zoo
Join us for our sixth annual beer-tasting fundraiser and help support the Zoo's conservation efforts. Tickets will go on sale as the event approaches.
July 22-August 5 – Sunset Serenades
Come to the Zoo and enjoy free summer concerts on Thursday evenings. Free and open to the public.
September 19 – Fiesta Musical
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Zoo’s free fiesta. Enjoy animal demonstrations, Hispanic and Latino music, costumed dancers, traditional crafts, and Latin American food. Free and open to the public.
September 23 – Grapes with the Apes
Toast wildlife conservation and learn about great apes at the Zoo’s popular wine tasting event. Tickets will go on sale as the event approaches.
October 2-3 – Autumn Conservation Festival
Bring your family for a day of fun, tours, and activities at the Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia, the only time each year this facility is open to the public. Tickets will go on sale as the event approaches.
October 22-24 – Boo at the Zoo
The Zoo offers the wildest trick-or-treat in town. Enjoy animal encounters, keeper talks, and festive decorations along with your tasty candy and delicious snack foods. Tickets will go on sale as the event approaches.
October 29 – Night of the Living Zoo
Why should kids have all the fun? Join us for our adult Halloween bash! Tickets will go on sale as the event approaches.
December 3-January 1 – ZooLights
At ZooLights, our biggest and brightest event of the year, the Zoo shines with thousands of environmentally friendly lights and animated exhibits. These larger-than-life displays featuring many of the Zoo’s most popular animals, plus fun activities and live entertainment, are sure to please people of all ages. Tickets will go on sale as the event approaches.
Birthday
Parties
FONZ family members have the opportunity to throw a
wild birthday celebration at the Zoo. Parties are held
on weekends throughout the year. 
more
Sponsor
an Event
Find out how your company can partner
with FONZ to sponsor an event—and reach a
huge audience of people who love the renowned National
Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.
Host
an Event
The Zoo can also be a great venue
for YOUR special event! Corporations, associations,
and others who make unrestricted gifts to the Zoo are
invited to co-sponsor a special celebratory event and
can choose to hold a dinner, reception, picnic, or other
similar activity in accordance with our special
event policy and guidelines.
Parking is limited at the Zoo. We encourage you to
use public transportation. Getting
to the Zoo
About tickets: As the popularity of the National Zoo's events have grown, the membership staff at FONZ has not. In an effort to provide better customer service to our members and guests, and to ensure reliable ticketing procedures, we have partnered with Ticketmaster for some of our event ticket sales. This is a service provided to us by Ticketmaster for free. A percentage of the fees added to your online orders is donated back to the Zoo. With Ticketmaster handling ticket sales, we are able to focus more on event planning and membership services.
You will be able to purchase tickets in several ways: on the Zoo's website, on Ticketmaster's website, at any Ticketmaster outlet, at the Zoo's Visitor Center (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), and by calling Ticketmaster at 202.397.SEAT. Tickets purchased at the Zoo's Visitor Center have no added fees.
We understand that this seems like a big change for FONZ members, but we hope that you will stick with us through this period of growth and change.
