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As a public health precaution, the Smithsonian is postponing or canceling all public events, programming and gatherings through Sept. 1, 2020. We appreciate your understanding.

Upcoming Events

A series of wine corks with letters that spell "Uncorked." Above them is the text "A Wine Tasting Event. September 17, 2020"
Thursday, September 17, 2020

Get ready for the wildest wine tasting in town on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. 

dancers at zoo fiesta
Saturday, September 19, 2020

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at ZooFiesta. This free, family event includes animal feedings, arts and crafts, and live music.

A researcher at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute points to a scientific poster and talks to students about her work
Saturday, October 3, 2020

Attend the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's annual festival — the one day a year that part of this unique research facility is open to the public!

A close-up photo of foam spilling over the rim of a beer with the text "Free Beer! (In exchange for helping to save species)"
Friday, October 9, 2020

New date! This year, Brew at the Zoo will take place in cooler weather—on Friday, Oct. 9. Stay tuned for more information on the event and ticket sale dates.

An illustration of an owl saying, "Whoo," and a ghost saying, "Boo" with the text "Boo at the Zoo, sponsored by the Mars Wrigley"
Friday, October 23, 2020 to Sunday, October 25, 2020

Kids can go trick-or-treating at the wildest spot in town during Boo at the Zoo. Celebrate Halloween early with treat stations, animal demonstrations and more.

A graphic of a dark night sky with a bright moon and a large prairie dog with its mouth open showing its teeth. Next to it, text reads "Be Afraid. Night of the Living Zoo. October 30, 2020"
Friday, October 30, 2020

A dark carnival is approaching ... and will arrive for Friends of the National Zoo's annual adults-only Halloween party.

The entrance to the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Zoolights event with trees lit up in red, green, yellow and blue and a lit sign that says "Zoolights"
Friday, November 27, 2020 to Friday, January 1, 2021

Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights a part of their annual holiday tradition. This free event includes live music and tasty winter treats.

A group of smiling young men and women dressed in winter clothing pose for a photo with "Panda Pal" the Zoo mascot during BrewLights, a holiday craft beer event
Thursday, December 10, 2020

Friends of the National Zoo's hoppiest holiday event, BrewLights, is back for another year of craft beer and microbrew tastings.

Zoo Sleepovers

Registration for Snore & Roar Sleepovers and Scout Snoozes is postponed until a later date. Please check back for updates.
Lion and cubs

Bring your troop for a wild night they won't soon forget! Where else can you fall asleep to the sounds of the wolves howling or awaken to the barks of the sea lions at play?

two sleepy looking adult lions

Come spend the night at the Zoo! Snore & Roar overnights are available from June to September. 

A child poses in front of a yellow tent at a Zoo sleepover with the text "Snore and Roar"

Spend a wild night at the Zoo this summer! Snore & Roar sleepovers are available from June to September.

Past Events

Bite Night: ZooFari
Wednesday, May 20, 2020

In 2020, D.C.'s favorite chef-curated restaurant tasting event will be more appetizing than ever.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Celebrate Wildlife Migration Day at the Zoo on Saturday, May 9. This free event features family-friendly activities, as well as opportunities to talk to scientists who study wildlife migration.

colorful animal graphics
Sunday, May 3, 2020

Celebrate the beauty and importance of family diversity at the Zoo with family-focused activities.

A photo of a prairie dog poking its head out of a burrow in the grass and the text "Member Celebration"
Saturday, April 25, 2020

Friends of the National Zoo members get early access to the Zoo during this free annual event.

Three eggs sit in individual dry-grass nests. One looks like feathers, the other like the earth and the third one looks like a tiger's stripes. The words "Easter Monday and Earth Optimism" are at the top.
Monday, April 13, 2020

This year it's double the fun on April 13, as the Zoo celebrates Earth Optimism on Easter Monday.

wanna mate?
Friday, February 14, 2020

It's a Valentine's Day ritual. Come to Woo at the Zoo on Friday, Feb. 14, from 7-10 p.m. to learn all about dating, mating and procreating (in the animal kingdom, at least). 

A zebra pillow, a jungle pillow and a panda coaster by local D.C. company Naked Decor
Friday, December 6, 2019 to Sunday, December 8, 2019

GRUMP, the alternative art and crafts holiday show, is coming to ZooLights on Dec. 6, 7 and 8 from 5-9 p.m.

Dec. 4

Animal Discovery Days include special demonstrations, activities and opportunities to learn about wildlife conservation. Celebrate International Cheetah Day on Dec. 4.

giant panda bei bei holds a stick of bamboo and prepares to take a bite
Saturday, November 9, 2019 to Monday, November 18, 2019

Bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bei Bei before he begins the next chapter of his life in China.

A large owl with its wings spread perches on a girl's gloved hand, while a bird expert helps
Sept. 7, 8 and 14, 15

Get an up-close look at exotic birds as they soar overhead and exhibit natural behaviors in this FREE, limited-run show.

The fast and the fierce animal artwork logo superimposed on background photo of runners
Saturday, September 14, 2019

Mark your calendars for Friends of the National Zoo’s third annual The Fast & the Fierce 5K, sponsored by Aegis Project Controls.

a naked mole-rat sits behind green leafy vegetables
Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Join a curator of the Zoo’s Small Mammal House as he describes the process of building a new exhibit while the mole-rats were busy building their new colony.