Private Events

All daytime venue rentals are from 10:30am-3:30pm. All evening rentals are from 6:00pm-10:00pm. Additional time is available at an additional cost.

All rental rates include venue for daytime or evening time frame, in-house tables and chairs (up to 300 guests, subject to availability), in-house 8ft. tables and in-house black linens for food & beverage services provided by SSA, complimentary set-up & clean-up time, and day-of event staffing (additional fees required dependent on event needs). Certain venues are subject to additional fees.

Please fill out an inquiry form or email events@zoo.lacity.org to speak with a coordinator to start planning your event and to find the space that best fits your event needs!

Zoo admission tickets or a valid Los Angeles Zoo membership is required for each host and every guest attending your event. L.A. Zoo membership privileges apply, so if you and/or your guests are members, your/their membership cards may be used for entry. The number of entries is based on the membership level. Admission tickets may be purchased the day of your party or may be purchased in advance.

Groups of fifteen (15) or more: Parties of 15 people or more qualify for the group discount ticket rate. Prices subject to change without notice.

If purchasing tickets ahead of time you have the option of having your tickets mailed to you or you may pick them up using our Will-Call Service, available for an additional $75. Purchasing tickets prior to the party date is strongly encouraged and will expedite you and your guest’s entrance into the zoo.

You may also purchase your group tickets the day of your party at our Admission Tickets Booth the day of your party. Hosts must purchase all tickets together to qualify for the group discounted rate.

Admission tickets are non-refundable. The Zoo is unable to issue refunds for “no show” guests. However, Zoo admission tickets do not expire and may be used by anyone on any future date.

The L.A. Zoo offers a “Will Call” service for the price of $75. Instead of handing out admission tickets yourself, your guests may pick up their tickets from Zoo staff at the Membership Booth. To use this service, a full guest list must be submitted to your event coordinator via email by SEVEN business days prior to your event, and all tickets must be paid in advance.

If you choose to use the Will Call Service, please be aware of the following policies:

• Hosts must provide a full guest list of all attendees SEVEN business days prior to the event.
• Only guests who are listed on the list provided by the host will receive a ticket.
• If there is an issue with the guest list, the host must come to the Membership booth to handle the issue.
• Zoo staff will be handing out tickets at Membership Booth from 10-11:30 a.m. If a guest arrives after the time frame they can pick up their tickets from the main windows at the Membership Booth; there may be a line.
• Any extra tickets needed may be purchased at full admission price at the Admission Tickets Booth.
• If there are tickets unclaimed by guests, the host may collect those tickets for future use from the Membership Booth. Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets do not expire and may be redeemed for general zoo admission on another date.

Parking is free.

For the safety of our animals, the following are not allowed: balloons, bounce houses, straws, streamers, open flames, glass bottles, whistles, balls, Frisbees, glitter, string-a-can, silly string, live animals, electric toys, piñatas, sparkles, stickers, and confetti.

We do not recommend bringing anything that requires hanging.

Cave Corner has six picnic tables with umbrellas and bench seating, and (2) 8′ rectangular tables.
LAIR Overlook has ten picnic tables with umbrellas and bench seating, and (2) 8′ rectangular tables.

All other venue layouts are customizable.

Prior to booking your party, you are welcome to purchase a ticket to visit the Zoo and view the available locations and select the one most suitable for your party. To ensure that rental fees for the birthday party locations remain affordable, we are unable to offer private tours of the party locations. Please contact events@zoo.lacity.org for additional photos of event spaces.

You may begin set-up 30 minutes prior to your assigned party time. All clean-up is your responsibility and must be completed 30 minutes after your party. A $150.00 fee will be assessed if the space is not cleaned.

Will there be a party coordinator? Are there any activities?

All venue fees include a planning and processing fee. All bookings will be handled by an event coordinator to help reserve the space and go over any information needed to book your event.

Depending on any additional menu items and add-ons, or based on the specific needs of your event, an events staff member may be assigned to be present on the day of your event. Otherwise, we give you the freedom to create your own itinerary and activities.

Please check out the Zoo Calendar for special animal keeper talks and demonstrations.

To speak to a private event coordinator, please email events@zoo.lacity.org.

Hosts may bring in their own food only for Cave Corner and LAIR Overlook. Hosts may order from our in-house caterer, Taste of the Wild (minimum $1,000 purchase). In-house catering options include paper goods. If you decide to bring your own food to the designated venues and need help transporting items, you will need to purchase cart service

Cart Service: For your convenience, you may purchase Cart Service for $300, which will take your items to and from the parking lot to the venue. Carts are not available to transport your guests.

Hosts will not have use of a kitchen, refrigerator, or access to any electrical outlets for heating food. We do not have storage facilities for food or gifts.

Bringing alcohol is strictly prohibited.

To reserve a party location, contact events@zoo.lacity.org. Your reservation will be confirmed with full payment of the site rental fee.

If you are unable to attend your party, the payments you have made are considered charitable contributions and may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Charitable contribution letters are available upon request. Parties will take place regardless of weather. The party space reservation and any add-on food orders cannot be rescheduled.

To confirm your event, we require 1.) a signed event agreement, and 2.) a deposit which totals 50% of your Facility Rental plus 25% of all additional event charges. When we receive both requirements, your event will be secured in our event calendar. Until both requirements are received, we reserve the right to accept other offers for the date and space(s) you are considering for your event. Please ask about our deposit schedule if booking 90 days or less from your event date.

See our venue brochures or contact a private event coordinator at events@zoo.lacity.org.