Santa Barbara Zoo

Select a month or scroll down to view all the exciting events this year at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

	Animal Event
	Social Event
	Education


Spring Forward/Princess Day
Saturday, March 13
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
They jump! They sing! They turn into princes (though this is extremely rare)! What better way to celebrate spring than to learn about the world's many and varied frogs and amphibians? There are frog-inspired crafts, games, and special animal appearances. All costumed princesses welcome! Plus, find out how Amphibian Ark and zoos and aquariums around the world are working together to save amphibians.
Cost: free with Zoo admission.
Santa Barbara Zoo Job Fair
Thursday, March 18
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Discover the "wildest" summer jobs in town for anyone aged 14 and over. Meet the staff and learn about the many job and volunteer opportunities at the Zoo. Refreshments and special animal encounters for those filling out applications. Teen applicants are encouraged to bring their parents.
Please contact Corinne Santini at (805) 962-5339, ext. 108 for more information.
Zoo to Do
Saturday, March 27
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Community members help with a Zoo improvement project during this one day, Zoo to Do. Past projects include beautification of the Zoo gardens and exhibits. Volunteers receive lunch, two Zoo guest passes, and a free event t-shirt.
Cost: None, volunteer event. Pre-registration is required and participants must be 13 years of age or older; please contact Tiffany Musgrove at (805) 962-5339, ext. 148 for more information.
Spring Zoo Camp
Monday – Friday, March 22 – April 2
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sign your child up for the Zoo’s award-winning Zoo Camp program during Spring Break. Day camp is available as well as week-long camp. Age-appropriate themed programs are available for kids ages 3-9 and include games, teacher-led workshops, behind-the-scenes visits, up-close animal introductions, hands-on science, and crafts. Visit our Zoo Camp page to download registration form.
Cost: Day Camp option - Zoo Members, $40/day; Non-members, $45/day. Save $15 by registering for the full week! Weeklong option - Zoo Members, $185/week; Non-members, $210/week. go to top

Dia del Nino
Sunday, April 11
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Make time for your family and celebrate this 'day of the child' at the Zoo. This event features Spanish-language music, a children's talent show, food, and fun!
Cost: free with Zoo admission.
Earth Day Condor Birthday
Saturday, April 24
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the Zoo celebrates the April birthdays of its five California condors with special condor activities at California Trails (which opened on Earth Day last year). Find out how your "wingspan" compares to a condor's, how many are now flying free in the wild, how people can help these highly endangered birds, and much more.
Cost: free with Zoo admission. go to top

Members' Night: Dance Party!!
Friday, May 7
4:30 - 8:00 p.m.
A fun-filled evening featuring live music, food, magic, and games for the kids. This year, there's a special appearance from Brobee and Plex of Yo Gabba Gabba, and dancing to the mixes of DJ Hectik and DJ Sean. Event generously sponsored by HUB International Insurance Services and Boone Graphics.
Cost: $14 for adults, $10 for children 2-12. Advance tickets required; call (805) 962-5339. For Santa Barbara Zoo Members and Foster Feeders only.
Early Closing: General admission ticket sales end at 2:30 p.m.; Membership admission ends at 3:00 p.m.; the Zoo closes at 3:30 p.m.
Yo Gabba Gabba in Person
Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Bring the kids to the Zoo for a meet-and-greet with two characters from the hit show "Yo Gabba Gabba!" as seen on Nick Jr. This music-inspired show has been nominated for two Emmys and won a BAFTA for Best International Children's Show in 2008. Two of the five loveable characters appear in person: Brobee (the little green one) and Plex (the magic robot).
Cost: free with Zoo admission.
Saturday meet-and-greet for SB Zoo Members Only; Early Admission at 9:00 a.m. go to top

Zoo Brew
Saturday, June 5
2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
The Zoo's first ever Zoo Brew fundraiser features tastings from up to 20 breweries from throughout the region and beyond. KRUZ's DJ Matt Stone provides the music during a live broadcast from the event. Includes commemorative four-ounce tasting glass and special animal encounters. Pretzels-on-a-necklace, special Zoo Brew food menu and merchandise available. Designated Drivers receive free t-shirt and food coupon.
Cost: $40 in advance, $45 at the door. $35 for designated driver. Must be 21 & over to attend. Advance tickets recommended.
Summer Zoo Camp
Monday - Friday, June 21 - August 20
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. regular day; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. extended day
Voted "best summer camp" by both Independent and Santa Barbara News-Press readers' polls, this camp is fun and educational. Age-appropriate themed programs include games, teacher-led workshops, behind-the-scenes visits, up-close animal introductions, hands-on science, and crafts.
Visit our Zoo Camp page for more information. For ages 3-13. go to top

Zoovies!
Wednesdays, July 14, 21, & 28
Gate opens at 7:00 p.m., movies start at 8:15 p.m.
Our popular outdoor movie program is back this year! Bring the family, spread your blanket out under the stars, and enjoy the film. Refreshments are available for purchase. Movie schedule: family friendly G-Rated or PG-Rated films to be announced.
Cost: $7/adult, $5/children & seniors, with a special SB Zoo MEMBERS-ONLY price of $5/adult, $4/children & seniors or $20/family (2 adults + dependent children under 13). go to top

Dignatarios
Thursday, August 5
5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Presented jointly by Old Spanish Days and the Zoo, this event honors Santa Barbara's elected officials. The event features live entertainment, dancing, mariachis, margaritas, and tempting treats from over 20 local restaurants and 10 local wineries. It's Fiesta's wildest party! Food is served from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 in advance; $100 at the door. Tickets available online until noon on Thursday, August 6 or at the Zoo for the 'at-the-door' price after that. This event for guests 21 & older only.
Early Closing: the Zoo will close at 3:30 p.m. General admission ticket sales will end at 2:30 p.m., and Zoo Member admission ends at 3:00 p.m.
Zoovies!
Wednesdays, August 11 & 18
Gate opens at 7:00 p.m., movies start at 8:15 p.m.
Our popular outdoor movie program is back this year! Bring the family, spread your blanket out under the stars, and enjoy the film. Refreshments are available for purchase. Movie schedule: family friendly G-Rated or PG-Rated films to be announced.
Cost: $7/adult, $5/children & seniors, with a special SB Zoo MEMBERS-ONLY price of $5/adult, $4/children & seniors or $20/family (2 adults + dependent children under 13).
Zoofari Ball XXV: HOT HOT HOT!
Saturday, August 28
5:30 – 11:00 p.m.
Drums will pound and hips will shake at the 25th annual Zoofari Ball, which this year takes its inspiration from Carnaval, the famed street festival of Brazil. The hilltop is transformed into a dazzlingly flamboyant array -- think feathers, sequins, vivid hues, and a samba beat. Enjoy an elegant dinner, tropical cocktails, tempting silent and live auctions, and special surprises at Santa Barbara's "Wildest Fundraiser," which usually sells out in advance.
Cost: tickets purchased before July 30 are $275/person; tickets purchased after July 30 are $300/person. For tickets, call Pieter van Meeuwen at (805) 962-5339, ext. 110. Buy early, as tickets will sell out for this event.
Early Closing: the Zoo will close at 3:30 p.m. General admission ticket sales will end at 2:30 p.m., and Zoo Member admission ends at 3:00 p.m. go to top

Science Day
Saturday, September 25
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Calling all science enthusiasts! Science Day at the Santa Barbara Zoo is a fun way for teachers, parents, and students to discover their community's world of science - from tracking animals through the wilderness to exploring the science behind gardening. Fun, hands-on activity stations are located throughout the Zoo and keepers will give special presentations. Science Day maps, including event schedule and activity station locations, to be distributed at Admissions.
Cost: free with Zoo admission. Free admission and parking for teachers with advance reservation. Contact the Conservation Education Department at (805) 962-5339 for more information. go to top

Boo at the Zoo
Friday-Sunday, October 22 - 24
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Have a spooktacularly good time as the Zoo transforms for three nights of safe, traffic-free trick-or-treating during this merry-not-too-scary event. Features monster-ous thrills and chills including a Trick & Treat Trail, Boo-Choo-Choo train rides, Creepy Crawly encounters, Spooky Storytelling, Goblin Games, nightly Costume Parades, Ghoulish Goodies and much more.
Cost: $12/adults, $10/children 2-12. SB Zoo Members get $1 off. Boo-Choo-Choo priced separately: $3/adults, $2.50/children 2-12. This event is for children 2-12 (accompanied by an adult). Tickets on sale now at the Zoo's front gate. For the safety of our visitors, no adult guests (12+) will be permitted into the Zoo with masks or painted faces.
Early Closing: the Zoo will close at 3:30 p.m. on all three days of Boo at the Zoo. General admission ticket sales will end at 2:30 p.m., and Zoo Member admission ends at 3:00 p.m. go to top

Open Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 25
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Get the kids out of the house this Thanksgiving and come to the Zoo for a smashin’ good time! Watch as the elephants, gorillas, and more of your favorite Zoo animals get pumpkins to play and interact with.
Lots of animals will get to play with pumpkins today! Tentative schedule includes: 10:15 Elephants w/talk; 11:00 Lions w/talk; 12:00 Gorilla w/talk; 12:30 Ground Hornbill w/talk; 1:00 Turkey Vulture w/talk; 1:00 Elephants (again) w/talk; 1:30 Barnyard w/talk; 1:45 Desert Tortoise w/talk; 2:00 Otters w/talk; 2:00 Channel Island Fox w/talk. All talks will be held at the animals' exhibits. Other animals will receive pumpkins throughout the day, but will not be associated with a specific time or keeper talk.
Cost: free with Zoo admission.

Snow Leopard Festival-Sledding at the Zoo!
Sunday, December 5
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.;(9:00 a.m. early entrance for SB Zoo Members only)
It's a winter wonderland beneath palm trees overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Sledding at the Zoo & Snow Leopard Festival. More than 75 tons of snow fashions sledding runs, creates a children's play area, and is placed in exhibits for snow leopards, elephants, gorillas, lions, otters and other animals. Kids zoom down the hilltop on several age-appropriate routes, play in the fresh powder, see the Zoo's two snow leopards and learn about the plight of these highly endangered creatures. There are also snow-related arts and crafts and more.
Cost: $3.00 additional cost per person for kids & parents to play, romp, or sled in the snow. Sledding for children 12 & under. go to top
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