Events

See What's Happening at the Zoo
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The Zoo is free, but Entry Passes are required for all guests, including infants.

Please note: As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, some events have been modified or canceled.

Daily Animal Demos

Get a front row seat to animal keepers working with animals in these daily demonstrations! Throughout the day, you can meet elephants, watch sloth bears slurp ants, see sea lions catch fish and more. 

Please note: Animal demonstrations may be moved, canceled or postponed due to weather and keeper schedules. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Animal Demo Schedule

Upcoming Events

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.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 to Sunday, October 1, 2023

Visitors can dive into free panda-themed fun, including face-painting, hands-on arts and crafts, conservation-inspired activities, live music performances and more!

Boo at the Zoo logo with an elephant wearing a ladybug-themed Halloween costume mask.
Oct. 20, 21 & 22

It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s beloved family-friendly Halloween event, sponsored by Mars Wrigley... more

Past Events

Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats a fruitsicle cake placed on a rocky structure in his outdoor habitat.
July 22, Aug. 21 & 27

Visit Asia Trail or tune into the Giant Panda Cam to see the Zoo's giant pandas receive special birthday treats!

A male bird handler reaches out his hand to a large black bird in flight
May 26- Sept. 4 | Every day except Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

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

the front of a vintage police car sits parked at an angle
Saturday, May 13, 2023

Honoring our expert Zoo Police team during National Police Week, the Vintage Police Car Show is in Washington, D.C., and will stop by the Smithsonian's National Zoo on the way to the Capitol.

a grid of colorful animal silhouettes with the words "International Family Equality Day at the Zoo" in text
Sunday, May 7, 2023

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

lemur playing with a brown paper bag painted with a bunny
Monday, April 10, 2023

Celebrate Easter Monday at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

bei bei climbing a tree
Monday, January 30, 2023

Philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, a longtime supporter of the giant panda program at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, joins Brandie Smith, the Zoo's director, to... more

A keeper wearing a blue apron and blue, latex gloves holds three black-footed ferret kits in their hands. You cannot see the keepers' face. The kits eyes are not fully open yet, one has one eye open.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022

By 1979, black-footed ferrets were considered extinct, but after decades of conservation efforts and collaboration by Smithsonian researchers and wildlife experts, they’re coming back from the brink... more

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 25, 2022 to Friday, December 30, 2022 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (last admittance 8:30 p.m.)

The colorful glow of Washington, D.C.’s beloved Smithsonian’s National Zoo holiday tradition is back for 2022. 

A smiling woman wearing animal ears and holding a beer at the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Brew at the Zoo event
Thursday, September 8, 2022

Lions and tigers and brews, oh my! Washington, D.C.’s favorite beer festival is back at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Thursday, Sept. 8

10 a.m. and 12 p.m. | July 29

In this free, drop-in program, join us for a read aloud of one of our favorite Zoo tails: "Mr. Tiger Goes Wild" by Peter Brown.

Golden-headed lion tamarin twins cling to father Coco's back.
10 a.m. and 12 p.m. | July 26

In this free, drop-in program, it’s time to monkey around and learn about everyone’s favorite pint-sized primates: the tamarins!

Close-up of Asian elephant Maharani's face.
10 a.m. and 12 p.m. | July 7, 12, 14

Enjoy a free read aloud of one of our favorite Zoo tails: "Ellie" by Mike Wu.