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

Animal Event
Social Event
Lecture Series
Education
Members' Night
Friday, May 2
4:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Join us for our annual celebration of Zoo Members and discover the ins & outs of animal movement. The theme this year is 'Animals on the Move' and we'll have a fun-filled evening featuring live music by Dancing Drum, food by Country Catering, magic, art project by Color Me Mine, and games for the kids.
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.
Keeper for a Day
Thursday, May 22
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
The Keeper for a Day program offers a unique once in a lifetime opportunity to work alongside a zookeeper, creating and providing enrichment toys for the animals at the Zoo! During this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience, you will begin with a delicious gourmet lunch with our Animal Care staff, and learn about conservation and the Zoo’s future plans. Next, you’ll spend two hours with your favorite animals, prepare enrichment and toys for them, and watch the animals enjoy your work! At the end of the day, you will receive a special certificate acknowledging your participation and an exclusive Keeper for a Day souvenir.
You can choose from the following animal groups: Mammal 1 (Bolivian grey titi monkey, lemur, white-handed gibbon, red panda, Asian small-clawed otter); Mammal 2 (Giant anteater, crested porcupine, opossum, sheep, golden lion tamarin, rabbit); Mammal 3 (Gorilla, giraffe, meerkat, Channel Island fox), Cats (African lion, Amur leopard, snow leopard, black-footed cat); Birds (Humboldt penguins, Toco toucan, ground hornbill, macaw, East African crowned crane); Herps (Alligator, tortoise, Bengal monitor, snakes, frogs, various invertebrates). Encounters with animals in each grouping are subject to change without prior notice. Must be 18 or older to participate.
Cost: Zoo Members, $250/person. Non-members, $350/person. Please contact Alissa Larreta for more information: (805) 962-5339, ext. 33.

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Wonders of Water
Sunday, June 8
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Learn about the amazing world of water, including information on the ocean, local creeks, and the animals that reside in water, as well as how you can play a part in conserving it. Zookeeper talks, a walk-through "ocean", ocean crafts, storytelling, and more.
Cost: free with Zoo admission.
Keeper for a Day
Thursday, June 12
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
The Keeper for a Day program offers a unique once in a lifetime opportunity to work alongside a zookeeper, creating and providing enrichment toys for the animals at the Zoo! During this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience, you will begin with a delicious gourmet lunch with our Animal Care staff, and learn about conservation and the Zoo’s future plans. Next, you’ll spend two hours with your favorite animals, prepare enrichment and toys for them, and watch the animals enjoy your work! At the end of the day, you will receive a special certificate acknowledging your participation and an exclusive Keeper for a Day souvenir.
You can choose from the following animal groups: Mammal 1 (Bolivian grey titi monkey, lemur, white-handed gibbon, red panda, Asian small-clawed otter); Mammal 2 (Giant anteater, crested porcupine, opossum, sheep, golden lion tamarin, rabbit); Mammal 3 (Gorilla, giraffe, meerkat, Channel Island fox), Cats (African lion, Amur leopard, snow leopard, black-footed cat); Birds (Humboldt penguins, Toco toucan, ground hornbill, macaw, East African crowned crane); Herps (Alligator, tortoise, Bengal monitor, snakes, frogs, various invertebrates). Encounters with animals in each grouping are subject to change without prior notice. Must be 18 or older to participate.
Cost: Zoo Members, $250/person. Non-members, $350/person. Please contact Alissa Larreta for more information: (805) 962-5339, ext. 33.
Summer Zoo Camp
Monday - Friday, June 23 - August 22
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. On-line registration is available now.

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Dignatarios
Thursday, July 31
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 (Arlington Theater Box Office); $100 at the door.

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Keeper for a Day
Thursday, August 14
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
The Keeper for a Day program offers a unique once in a lifetime opportunity to work alongside a zookeeper, creating and providing enrichment toys for the animals at the Zoo! During this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience, you will begin with a delicious gourmet lunch with our Animal Care staff, and learn about conservation and the Zoo’s future plans. Next, you’ll spend two hours with your favorite animals, prepare enrichment and toys for them, and watch the animals enjoy your work! At the end of the day, you will receive a special certificate acknowledging your participation and an exclusive Keeper for a Day souvenir.
You can choose from the following animal groups: Mammal 1 (Bolivian grey titi monkey, lemur, white-handed gibbon, red panda, Asian small-clawed otter); Mammal 2 (Giant anteater, crested porcupine, opossum, sheep, golden lion tamarin, rabbit); Mammal 3 (Gorilla, giraffe, meerkat, Channel Island fox), Cats (African lion, Amur leopard, snow leopard, black-footed cat); Birds (Humboldt penguins, Toco toucan, ground hornbill, macaw, East African crowned crane); Herps (Alligator, tortoise, Bengal monitor, snakes, frogs, various invertebrates). Encounters with animals in each grouping are subject to change without prior notice. Must be 18 or older to participate.
Cost: Zoo Members, $250/person. Non-members, $350/person. Please contact Alissa Larreta for more information: (805) 962-5339, ext. 33.
Zoofari Ball XXIII: Lights, Camera, Africa!
Saturday, August 23
5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
This fundraiser for the animals features an elegant dinner, cocktails, silent and live auctions, and dancing! Celebrate a 40's movie theme with Lights, Camera, Africa!
Cost: tickets purchased through August 11 are $225/person; after August 11, tickets are $250/person. To purchase, call Pieter van Meeuwen at (805) 962-5339, ext.18. Buy early, as tickets will sell out for this event.

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Keeper for a Day
Thursday, September 11
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
The Keeper for a Day program offers a unique once in a lifetime opportunity to work alongside a zookeeper, creating and providing enrichment toys for the animals at the Zoo! During this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience, you will begin with a delicious gourmet lunch with our Animal Care staff, and learn about conservation and the Zoo’s future plans. Next, you’ll spend two hours with your favorite animals, prepare enrichment and toys for them, and watch the animals enjoy your work! At the end of the day, you will receive a special certificate acknowledging your participation and an exclusive Keeper for a Day souvenir.
You can choose from the following animal groups: Mammal 1 (Bolivian grey titi monkey, lemur, white-handed gibbon, red panda, Asian small-clawed otter); Mammal 2 (Giant anteater, crested porcupine, opossum, sheep, golden lion tamarin, rabbit); Mammal 3 (Gorilla, giraffe, meerkat, Channel Island fox), Cats (African lion, Amur leopard, snow leopard, black-footed cat); Birds (Humboldt penguins, Toco toucan, ground hornbill, macaw, East African crowned crane); Herps (Alligator, tortoise, Bengal monitor, snakes, frogs, various invertebrates). Encounters with animals in each grouping are subject to change without prior notice. Must be 18 or older to participate.
Cost: Zoo Members, $250/person. Non-members, $350/person. Please contact Alissa Larreta for more information: (805) 962-5339, ext. 33.
Zoo-B-Que: Year of the Frog
Friday, September 12
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
This popular after-hours picnic at the Zoo is open to the public. Activities for the kids, a BBQ dinner, live music, and Zookeeper talks are all part of the fun.
Cost: tickets are $16/adult, $12/child and SB Zoo Members get $2 off. To purchase, call (805) 962-5339, ext. 27.

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