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Due to weekend storm activity, some Panda Palooza activities have been postponed. See the full schedule here.

Three cartoon pandas pose in a tree. The words "Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell" are positioned to their right in yellow font on a green background.

Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell

Sep. 23, 2023 to Oct. 01, 2023
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Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell

We are going big because they are going home! To see the giant pandas off in style, the Smithsonian's National Zoo will host Panda Palooza, a nine-day celebration from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1, 2023, intended to engage audiences of all ages in a series of fun, family-friendly and conservation-forward events.

Panda Palooza programming will include hashtag-worthy photo backdrops, hands-on arts and crafts, 'Kids Area’ in the Great Meadow with a soft play section; chalkboard, coloring and stamping activities; morning family stretching and yoga along with panda talks, temporary tattoos, a conservation-themed scavenger hunt, live music concerts on the Mainstage by Lion Tiger Hill and free film screenings of "Kung Fu Panda" and "The Miracle Panda" in the Visitor Center Theater. In addition, zoo food and beverage vendors will offer panda-themed items, and tasty celebratory treats will be provided courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

Check out the Zoo’s map to find all locations noted below. All programming is free.  

About Panda Palooza

Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji are preparing for their journey to China. Learn how the Zoo is saying farewell to these amazing bears!  

Free Pass Information

Zoo entry passes are released on a rolling schedule:  If you were unable to secure an entry pass initially, please check again for both regular visitation days and for special free events such as the upcoming Panda Palooza.

Free entry passes and paid parking passes are available at staggered intervals. Additional passes are released one week out, the day before, and the morning of each day. Entry pass release timing is as follows:

4 weeks out | released at 12 a.m.

1 week out | released at 12 a.m.

Day before | released at 12 a.m.

Day of | released at 12 a.m.

Event Contact