FONZ and the National Zoo host a variety of fun and educational special events and celebrations. Some are free, some are fundraisers, and all are a guaranteed great time. a note about tickets

For information on membership or our events, please call 202.633.4470.

2009 Events

More information and tickets for each event will be available as each event comes up.

February 28; March 1, 7, and 8 – Zomo at the Zoo
At this free event, learn about the Zoo's new silver fox rabbits and enjoy Imagination Stage's new play Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth. Free and open to the public. Get more information

February 12 – Woo at the Zoo
Gear up for Valentine's Day with a special evening at the Zoo. Learn about animal courtship and make your own Valentine. Free and open to the public. Get more information

March 14 – Cockadoodle Zoo
This members-only morning event lets Friends of the National Zoo sneak a peek at how Zoo animals and staff rise and shine. Free and open to members only.

April 13 – African American Family Celebration
A Washington-area multicultural tradition for many years, this event features special family activities, live entertainment, talks with Smithsonian scientists, and more. Free and open to the public.

April 16 – Grapes with the Apes
Toast wildlife conservation at the Zoo's popular wine tasting event. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

May 2-3 – Bird Fest
Join us as we celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at the Zoo. Learn about these amazing avians through crafts, activities and more. Free and open to the public.

May 14 – National ZooFari
ZooFari brings together 100 of the area's finest restaurants, and vintners from around the country for an evening of gourmet foods, fine wines, fabulous entertainment, a great auction, and dancing under the stars. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

June 12 – Guppy Gala
Dive into an ocean of fun with Guppy Gala, our special event just for kids and their families. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

July 9-23 – Sunset Serenades
Enjoy free summer concerts at the Zoo. Free and open to the public.

August 20 – Brew at the Zoo
Join us for our fifth annual beer-tasting fundraiser. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

August 22 – Celebrate Asian Elephants
Come see how it takes an entire zoo to care for elephants. Free and open to the public.

September 20 – Fiesta Musical
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Zoo's free Fiesta. Enjoy animal demonstrations, Hispanic and Latino music, costumed dancers, traditional crafts, and Latin American foods. Free and open to the public.

October 3-4 – Autumn Conservation Festival
Bring your family for a day of fun, tours, and activities at the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

October 22-25 – Boo at the Zoo
The Zoo offers the wildest trick-or-treat in town. Enjoy animal encounters, keepers talks, and festive decorations along with your tasty candy and delicious snack foods. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

November 27-December 30 – ZooLights
At ZooLights, our biggest and brightest event of the year, the Zoo shines with thousands of environmentally friendly lights and animated exhibits. These larger-than-life displays featuring many of the Zoo’s most popular animals, plus fun activities and live entertainment, are sure to please people of all ages. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

frog leaping


link toSponsor an Event
Find out how your company can partner with FONZ to sponsor an event—and reach a huge audience of people who love the renowned National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.

link toHost an Event
The Zoo can also be a great venue for YOUR special event! Corporations, associations, and others who make unrestricted gifts to the Zoo are invited to co-sponsor a special celebratory event and can choose to hold a dinner, reception, picnic, or other similar activity in accordance with our special event policy and guidelines.


Birthday Parties
FONZ family members have the opportunity to throw a wild birthday celebration at the Zoo. Parties are held on weekends throughout the year. more


Parking is limited at the Zoo. We encourage you to use public transportation. Getting to the Zoo

About tickets: As the popularity of the National Zoo's events have grown, the membership staff at FONZ has not. In an effort to provide better customer service to our members and guests, and to ensure reliable ticketing procedures, we have partnered with Ticketmaster for some of our event ticket sales. This is a service provided to us by Ticketmaster for free. A percentage of the fees added to your online orders is donated back to the Zoo. With Ticketmaster handling ticket sales, we are able to focus more on event planning and membership services.

You will be able to purchase tickets in several ways: on the Zoo's website, on Ticketmaster's website, at any Ticketmaster outlet, at the Zoo's Visitor Center (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), and by calling Ticketmaster at 202.397.SEAT. Tickets purchased at the Zoo's Visitor Center have no added fees.

We understand that this seems like a big change for FONZ members, but we hope that you will stick with us through this period of growth and change.

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