Mask during Nighttime Parade at the San Diego Zoo
When you think about visiting the zoo, the diverse range of animals obviously come to mind. But at Nighttime Zoo, there’s so much more to experience.
The entertainment will impress with a list of must-see performers and live music located in the five areas of the park listed below.
- Front Street
- Wildlife Explorers Basecamp
- Outback
- Urban Jungle
- Africa Rocks
Much of the entertainment will greet you upon arrival on Front Street! From lively music to dance and character meet-and-greets, that’s where it all begins.
Let’s explore the entertainment that’s waiting for you during the Nighttime Zoo event.
Enjoy Live Music
A lot of the energy will begin with the variety of live music you can enjoy throughout the park.
Rock & Roar
‘Rock & Roar’ is the zoo’s in-house rock and pop band that plays all of the top hits that your entire family will be dancing and singing along to.
With their first show at 4:00pm on the Front Street Stage, grooving to a 30 minute show is a great place to start!
The Chameleons
Don’t miss ‘The Chameleons’. This brass ensemble has all the tunes from the Beatles to Broadway at the Admission Plaza near the Sweet Shack. The group plays for 30 minutes at 4:30pm, 5:30pm, and 6:30pm.
The Explorers
I love talented musicians and there aren’t many more gifted than The Explorers!
The Rady Ambassador Presentation area will feature the four-part harmony a cappella group singing wildlife themed tunes for four performances daily at 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm for 30 minutes each.
Summer Songs
For me, this may be my personal favorite spot. The Boardwalk Beer Garden will feature three daily 45 minute sets of acoustic guitar and vocals at 3:45pm, 5:00pm, and 6:15pm.
If you need a break from a long day exploring, you can grab a beer and relax to the soothing tunes from across decades.
Explore the Interactive Zones for Kids
From character meet-and-greets to wildlife puppets and street performers, the zoo has interactive experiences designed to entertain your kids.
Whimsical Wildlife Characters
From 4:00pm until 7:00pm you can get photos with larger than life, colorful wildlife puppets and performers as they cruise along Front Street.
Dr. Harry and Friends
Dr. Harry and his friends will be in Flamingo Plaza ready for a meet-and-greet at 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm daily.
Jambo Dunia!
‘Jambo Dunia!’ is another fan favorite. This once nightly 15 minute event at 7:45pm along Front Street features African music, puppets, dancers, and acrobats. The costumes are colorful, the performers are interactive, and I suggest you make sure not to miss it.
It’s Go Visit San Diego founder Todd’s favorite experience at Nighttime Zoo!
Take Part in a Cultural Celebration
Visitors won’t be surprised to hear that many of the animals they’ll get to see at the zoo aren’t from San Diego. They come from all corners of the world from Africa to Australia, Asia and South America. So celebrating different cultures at the zoo just makes a lot of sense!
Vibrant Rhythms
East Africa is the focus of this 45 minute performance. Kids can dance along to the drumbeats as the musicians and dancers showcase their skills for the crowd.
Be Amazed During a High-Energy, Unique Experience
The acrobats at the trampoline performances are incredibly talented and my kids favorite part of the Nighttime Zoo experience.
Amazing Acrobats of Tanzania
Cultural celebrations like the ‘Amazing Acrobats of Tanzania’ are a breathtaking display of acrobatic skills.
The high-energy, 15 minute performance always entertains my kids as the talented troupe jumps and flips in an incredible mix of acrobatics and fun for all ages.
Bounce-a-Roo Bonanza
If your kids need a bit more high-energy entertainment, the 15 minute Bounce-a-Roo Bonanza performed every hour starting at 3:30pm until 6:30pm is the perfect choice for your family.
The trampoline show features an acrobatic group of performers dressed up like wildlife jumping, bouncing, and entertaining!
Fun Decorations at the Food, Wine and Brew at the San Diego Zoo
What Other Experiences Are There at the Nighttime Zoo?
Nighttime Zoo is an opportunity to enjoy the world-famous San Diego Zoo during the summer for extended hours that head into the evening.
You can check out ‘Zoolamoves’, an interactive dance session at the Front Street Stage that will get you on your feet. Shows are at 4:30pm, 5:30pm, and 6:30pm and will last 30 minutes.
One more experience worth considering is at Dr. Zoolittle’s Exploration Station. Located at the Rady Ambassador Presentation area, the 25 minute show follows Dr. Zoolittle’s as he explores nature, highlighting conservation efforts around the globe.
These are unique experiences special for the Nighttime Zoo event but if you want one directly from me, I suggest that you just grab an ice cream or sweet treat, wander through the colorful puppets, and enjoy the zoo in a truly special way.
Zebra at Night During the Food, Wine and Brew at the San Diego Zoo
What Animals Can I See at Nighttime Zoo?
While there will be animals to see such as coconut crabs, ocelots, and fennec foxes, some of the exhibits are not open for the duration of Nighttime Zoo.
For example, the panda exhibit, which is a favorite of our team at Go Visit San Diego, closes at 5:30pm. So, if that’s on your list of must-sees, you’ll want to make sure you’re in line early.
Some of the animal exhibits change their schedule daily. You can always check with the zoo staff when you arrive or call for the latest information on the day you plan to attend.