Terms of Sale

These terms and conditions (“Terms of Sale”) apply to all purchases and reservations of daily entry passes, membership, parking passes, and special event tickets (“tickets”) from the Website and make up part of Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Website Terms of Use. If you purchase or reserve a ticket from the Website, you are deemed to have accepted the Terms of Use then in effect, including the Terms of Sale then in effect, and to agree to be bound by them. 

We reserve the right to revise these Terms of Sale at any time, without notice. Any amendment will be effective immediately upon posting of the amended Terms of Sale on the Website. These Terms of Sale were last updated on Jan. 6, 2025. On purchasing or reserving tickets from the Website, you agree to be bound by the Terms of Sale in effect as of the date of purchase.  

Currency, Pricing, and Fees 

All ticket prices are stated in US Dollars (USD). Free tickets are subject to the same terms and conditions as paid tickets.  

Tickets purchased or reserved through the Website may be subject to booking and delivery fees.  

Valid identification may be required for entry to the event venue. The Zoo reserves the right to refuse admission if valid identification is requested and not provided, at an age-restricted event where you cannot prove that you are of a qualifying age, or under any other circumstances that violate the posted restrictions of an event.  

When you make payment either by credit card or online payment, you must have the specific authority of the credit card holder. Credit card details and payment will be processed by a third party engaged by the Zoo to provide this service on their website. Your purchase will appear on your credit card statement as SI Zoo Membership. 

Availability 

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for popular dates or events may sell out quickly. It is the responsibility of the booking party to complete his, her or their purchase within the allocated time limit, or the selected tickets will be released and made available to others.  

Digital Ticketing 

You must register for an account to purchase and reserve tickets online. Tickets to the Zoo are digital only and will not be mailed. You may print the PDF ticket in your email confirmation or from your account, or present your digital ticket on your mobile device. In certain circumstances, tickets may also be reserved/purchased onsite at the Zoo during normal operating hours.  

Multiple Browser Windows 

When purchasing tickets online, please ensure that you are viewing the tickets using only one browser window. Viewing tickets on multiple browser windows will result in the loss of your ticket.  

Order Confirmation 

When you complete a purchase or reservation online, you will receive a confirmation email. This will enable you to access your tickets to print them. If you do not receive this email then it is your responsibility to contact us to inform us. Your email address will be used to identify you. Please be sure you enter a real email address that you can access. If you do not receive a confirmation email and are unable to access your account to retrieve your ticket, please contact us immediately at zootickets@si.edu to resolve the issue. Tickets may not be retrievable if you do not know the details of your order.  

Lost Tickets 

Tickets can be retrieved and reprinted from your account if you purchased tickets online. We reserve the right to charge a fee or not replace lost tickets.  

Cancelled and Changed Events 

The Zoo reserves the right to add, withdraw, or replace any artist or performer, and to amend the event program, including date(s), prices, venue capacity, and/or seating arrangements.  

Occasionally, events are cancelled by the Zoo due to extenuating circumstances, such as war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, and all similar events outside the Zoo’s control. The Zoo will automatically refund paid tickets under these conditions.  

Refunds and Exchanges 

Unless required by law, we do not provide refunds on any tickets and/or memberships purchased. Therefore, please ensure that you carefully review your selection before processing the purchase. Any delivery and/or booking fees may not be refundable. Ticket exchanges for different dates are allowed up to 48 hours before the original event date and are subject to availability. Tickets may only be exchanged for those of equal or greater value.  

Rules and Restrictions 

Certain events may be invitation only and non-transferable. This information will be published as part of the event information. Identification may be required to attend such events. The Zoo reserves the right to cancel tickets that have been transferred without prior authorization and to deny entry to those who were not expressly invited.  

Certain events may be age-restricted. This information will be published as part of the event information. Please carefully review the restrictions in the event description before making your purchase. Tickets will not be refunded for failure to heed posted restrictions.  

There may be a limited number of tickets that each customer can purchase/reserve for an event. This limit will be published as part of the event information.  

Parking at the Zoo requires a separate parking pass and is not included with daily entry passes or special event ticket purchases.  

On occasion, performances, events, or public areas may be filmed, sound recorded or photographed by the Zoo or its agents. By reserving or purchasing and using a ticket for entry into an event, you consent to be filmed or photographed or to have your voice recorded as a member of the audience, and you agree that the Zoo may be reproduce, broadcast, and publish such films, sound recordings or photographs in its discretion. If you are reserving or purchasing tickets for your minor children, you agree that they may likewise be filmed, photographed or recorded at the event.  

Reselling and Reproduction Policy 

No ticket or reservation may be resold, used for advertising, promotion, or other commercial purposes without prior written authorization from the Zoo. The Zoo reserves the right to cancel such tickets and refuse entry to any customer who has purchased or reserved tickets and resold them, or to any person attempting to redeem resold tickets.  

It is unlawful to reproduce any tickets in any form. In the event of reproduction, the Zoo reserves the right to refuse entry to the original purchaser as well as any person attempting to attend the Zoo or a Zoo program with reproduced tickets.  

Redemption and Attendance Policy 

You must hold a valid ticket to attend the Zoo or a Zoo event. Unless tickets are purchased or reserved from an authorized sales channel, they may be voided or you may be refused admission. NationalZoo.si.edu and the physical Zoo are the only authorized sales channels.  

Tickets purchased or reserved online are available to print by accessing the link contained in the confirmation email or by accessing your account. If multiple copies of tickets are printed, only the first to be scanned will allow admission.  

The Zoo reserves the right to refuse admission or to remove you or the ticket holder from the event, without compensation to you, in circumstances where the Zoo in its complete discretion considers it has cause. This includes, without limitation, where tickets are lost or damaged, where you engage in conduct that interferes with the enjoyment of the event or venue by others (i.e. by fighting, being abusive or disorderly, touching or attempting to touch an animal, entering or attempting to enter an animal habitat, filming for commercial purposes without prior authorization, or refusing to take reasonable direction from Zoo staff), and where you do not comply with the Zoo’s posted rules or its Terms of Sale.  

You must comply with all security requirements of the Zoo and/or the event venue in relation to your attendance, which may include, without limitation, on-site direction from Zoo Police or other staff, search of person and personal belongings upon entry, and confiscation of any prohibited items. Prohibited items will vary, but may include:  

  • Weapons or toy weapons 
  • Illegal substances 
  • Smoking (including the use of electronic smoking devices) 
  • Alcohol brought on to Zoo grounds from outside 
  • Tripods, monopods, and/or selfie sticks 
  • Signs and placards 
  • Balloons 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 

THE TICKET HOLDER VOLUNTARILY ASSUMES ALL RISK AND DANGER INCIDENTAL TO THE EVENT WHETHER OCCURRING PRIOR TO, DURING, OR SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACTUAL EVENT, INCLUDING ANY DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS, DAMAGE, OR LIABILITY.  

BY PURCHASING OR RESERVING TICKETS ON BEHALF OF OTHERS, INCLUDING MINORS, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THOSE PARTIES ARE AWARE OF ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO THEIR TICKETS AND THEIR ENTRY AND ATTENDANCE AT THE EVENT. 

YOU AGREE TO RELEASE AND INDEMNIFY SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES AND FUNDERS FROM ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY IN RELATION TO THE EVENT. YOU FURTHER AGREE THAT THE ZOO AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES AND FUNDERS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, INJURY, OR DAMAGE (“DAMAGES”) HOWEVER CAUSED, WHETHER TO ANY PERSON OR PROPERTY, INCLUDING UNDER CONTRACT, TORT, STATUTE, PRODUCT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER THE DAMAGES BE DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS WEBSITE, YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE TICKETS, THE CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE EVENT, OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON WHATSOEVER.  

Information Collection 

Information is collected from those registering with Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in order to facilitate ticket purchases and reservations. This information is collected and used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.