Lunar New Year celebration at the L.A. Zoo

Lunar New Year at the L.A. Zoo 

February 1–2
10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Free with paid Zoo admission and for GLAZA members 

Join us in celebrating the Year of the Snake! 

The Los Angeles Zoo is thrilled to welcome members of our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and all Angelenos to enjoy special activities and performances honoring the Lunar New Year (January 29) and the Year of the Snake.  

Special Programming at the L.A. Zoo 

In the lunar calendar, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. During the Zoo’s Lunar New Year celebration, we’re spotlighting the Mangshan pit viper (pictured) and other animals of the Chinese zodiac.
  • Special Programming at the L.A. Zoo 
  • Performances and demonstrations 
  • Wall of Well Wishes (10 a.m.–4 p.m. in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo)—Share your hopes and dreams for the New Year by adding them to the Wall of Well Wishes. Volunteers will be on hand during designated hours to provide cards and pens. 
  • Bitty Bao Story Time and Craft at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.—Enjoy bilingual readings of two delightful Bitty Bao books—Celebrating Chinese New Year and Lucky Lunar Animals—and make your own red envelope for gifting. 
  • Special Animal Feedings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 
  • Education Stations 
  • Zoo-diac Tour (Zoo-wide)—Many animals of the 12-year Chinese zodiac can be found at the Zoo! View and take a photo of the Zoo-diac Tour map in the Zoo’s Entry Plaza to find them all during your visit.  

Upper-Level Member Preview

February 1 (Saturday) 
8–10 a.m. 

A child demonstrates a kung fu kick at the Lunar New Year event at the L.A. Zoo.
Weekend activities include special demonstrations and live entertainment.

GLAZA members at the Family Deluxe level and above have the opportunity to experience Lunar New Year weekend before the Zoo opens to the public, with exclusive performances, special animal experiences, and free carousel rides until 10 a.m. Please watch your email for an invitation to RSVP. To upgrade your support in order to attend, email membership@lazoo.org. 

Please bring your membership card and valid photo ID for admission. Guest passes will not be honored for this event, which is for Family Deluxe members and higher. Thank you for your GLAZA membership support! 

To upgrade your support in order to attend, please email membership@lazoo.org. Not a Member? Join today!

About Lunar New Year 

Handwritten notes on cards hang along a trellis wall.
Add your hopes and intentions for the new year to the Wall of Well Wishes in Treetops Terrace during the Zoo’s Lunar New Year celebration.

Lunar New Year is a festival rich in tradition that occurs on the first day of a new year in the lunisolar calendar, a calendar that is based on the cycles of the moon’s phases and the sun’s position. Depending on the position of the moon, Lunar New Year falls on a different day in January or February. This year, it’s on January 29.

Lunar New Year is celebrated in many east Asian countries, including China, Singapore, South Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam. Typical festivities last for multiple days, sometimes as long as 15 days depending on the culture. It is traditionally a time for food, festivities, and family gatherings. 

Get Social With Us!

Share your Lunar New Year photos and videos using #WildWeekends and #LAZoo on social media and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.