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

Animal Event
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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 3-12. Online registration is available now.
Zoovies!
Wednesdays, July 14, 21, & 28 (scroll down for August dates)
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:
  • July 14 - Madagascar
  • July 21 - Ice Age
  • July 28 - Night at the Museum
    • Tickets now available by phone (805) 962-5339 or at front gate. May be purchased night of event.
    Cost: $7.50/adult, $6/children & seniors, with a special SB Zoo MEMBERS-ONLY price of $5/member.

    Family Zoo Snooze
    Saturday, July 17 - Sunday, July 18
    6:30 p.m. – 11:30 a.m.
    Bring your herd to spend the night at the Zoo! A family Zoo Snooze is an adventure your family will never forget. Your family will make new friends as our instructors lead your group through a series of exciting, hands-on activities including up-close animal encounters and behind-the-scenes explorations. Meet one of our Zookeepers, make a breakfast treat for one of the Zoo's animals, enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, and even ride the Zoo train.
    Cost: $50/person for Zoo Members, $60/person for non-members.
    Pre-registration is required, please visit our Family Zoo Snooze page for more information and to pre-register.

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    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 3-12. Online registration is available now.
    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: tickets on sale now. If the event is not sold out, available tickets will be sold at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. The at-the-door price is $100/person (no Member discount).

    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 (scroll up for July dates)
    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:
  • August 11 - Ice Age 3
  • August 18 - Fantastic Mr. Fox
    • Tickets now available by phone (805) 962-5339 or at front gate. May be purchased night of event.
    Cost: $7.50/adult, $6/children & seniors, with a special SB Zoo MEMBERS-ONLY price of $5/member.

    Family Zoo Snooze
    Saturday, August 14 - Sunday, August 15
    6:30 p.m. – 11:30 a.m.
    Bring your herd to spend the night at the Zoo! A family Zoo Snooze is an adventure your family will never forget. Your family will make new friends as our instructors lead your group through a series of exciting, hands-on activities including up-close animal encounters and behind-the-scenes explorations. Meet one of our Zookeepers, make a breakfast treat for one of the Zoo's animals, enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, and even ride the Zoo train.
    Cost: $50/person for Zoo Members, $60/person for non-members.
    Pre-registration is required, please visit our Family Zoo Snooze page for more information and to pre-register.
    Zoofari Ball XXV: Hot! Hot! Hot! Carnaval!
    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 Zoofari Ball, 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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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