11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Join us in celebrating the official debut of our panda cub, Tai Shan, on Thursday, December 8. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., we will mark the occasion of his public exhibition with a variety of activities outside the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat. Please note: Tickets are required to view Tai Shan. However, in the event of cancellations by ticket holders, a limited number of our guests on Thursday may have the opportunity to see Tai Shan. If you do not have a ticket to see the cub, you can still take part in this very special and exciting day.
Our corporate and community partners will help commemorate Tai Shan's debut with special giveaways to our visitors. Lead corporate partner Fujifilm will invite visitors to take their photo with a panda costumed character, and exclusive media sponsor Animal Planet will provide kids with an opportunity to custom-make pet tags. Animal Planet will also have special "panda ears" that will remind people to tune in to the premiere of "A Panda Is Born" on December 10 at 8 p.m. Featuring footage never before seen on television, the show will chronicle the past three seasons of panda mating at the National Zoo, culminating in Tai Shan's remarkable birth on July 9.
Our community partners will help celebrate the arrival of Tai Shan. Be sure to stop by the CVS/pharmacy, Hecht's, Panda Express, and Whole Foods Market tents to take home a special gift. These companies have made a generous donation to the Zoo’s Giant Panda Conservation Fund and, through the holidays, are offering special items in their stores to support this fund. 
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You'll also have an opportunity to meet with National Zoo scientists, who will talk about their important work in giant panda research and conservation. Our researchers will be on hand to discuss such work as improving veterinary medical care for giant pandas, using hormone measures to assist in breeding efforts, developing successful reproductive techniques such as artificial insemination, and collecting data on tracking and managing the panda population in China.
Children can take part in craft activities and complete a "giant panda cub book," similar to a baby book, to learn about Tai Shan's development. The book will teach kids about the cub's growth and his milestones, while asking them to compare their own experiences to his. For example, kids will compare their size and weight to Tai Shan's, as well as their teeth, their meals, and even the meaning of their names.
Volunteer panda interpreters will also be available to meet with visitors by the outdoor yards, where Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are usually visible.
Be sure to join us on December 8 for all the festivities. As always, admission to the National Zoo is free. Thanks for your support of the giant panda program at our nation's zoo.
Take Metrobus or Metrorail to the Zoo
Take Metrorail to Metro's Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station, or take Metrobus routes L1, L2, or L4 to the Zoo's Connecticut Avenue, or route H2 to the Harvard Street entrance. Metro-operated parking lots are free on weekends and federal holidays. At times when fees are charged, SmarTrip® cards with full parking fee are the only accepted form of payment for parking (except metered parking). Visit the online 
Trip Planner or call 
202.637.7000 (TTY 202.638.3780).
