San Diego Zoo nights: Nat at Night

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance began its Nighttime Zoo summer run on May 22, 2026, offering extended hours, live music and evening performances with a members-only preview on that date and a public opening on May 23. The event features theatrical productions, dancers, acrobats and interactive wildlife presentations staged across the zoo each evening. The zoo said the program will run through Aug. 9, 2026, and described this as the Nighttime Zoo’s final summer season before a new seasonal festival debuts in 2027. ### When does Nighttime Zoo run and who gets early access? The San Diego Zoo’s event listing shows Nighttime Zoo scheduled May 22 through Aug. 9, 2026, with activities and entertainment beginning daily at 3:30 p.m. and zoo hours extended until 8 p.m. on event days. The listing specifies a members-only preview on May 22 and that the experience opens to all guests on May 23. (zoo.sandiegozoo.org) ### What performances and acts are part of the evening program? The San Diego Zoo's schedule names in-house acts such as Rock & Roar and the brass group The Chameleons, along with staged pieces including the Jambo Dunia closing performance and family shows led by “Dr. Harry” and Dr. Zoolittle–style presentations. Specific set times — for example, Rock & Roar at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. and Jambo Dunia at 7:45 p.m. — are listed on the zoo’s Nighttime Zoo page. (zoo.sandiegozoo.org) ### Will animals be visible after dark and what programming involves wildlife? The San Diego Zoo says nocturnal wildlife presentations and educational programs are part of Nighttime Zoo, including interactive sessions at the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp and scheduled wildlife talks led by zoo educators. The event page cautions that some nights will not feature entertainment and lists specific exceptions to the schedule. (zoo.sandiegozoo.org) ### How much does admission cost and what are practical visitor details? The San Diego Zoo’s ticket page lists a 1-Day Pass price of $78 for adults (ages 12+) and $68 for children (ages 3–11); the zoo’s Nighttime Zoo programming is offered during regular admission days. The zoo’s visitor information page notes a $16 parking fee per vehicle and says members can register for complimentary parking through the member portal. (zoo.sandiegozoo.org) ### Why is this billed as the final season and what comes next? The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance described the 2026 run as the Nighttime Zoo’s last season and said a new seasonal festival will debut in 2027, language the organization uses on its event page to frame the change. The zoo’s site uses phrasing such as “the curtains are closing on this family-favorite experience” while announcing the forthcoming festival. (zoo.sandiegozoo.org) Nighttime Zoo runs through Aug. 9, 2026; tickets for same-day admission begin at $78 for adults, and the San Diego Zoo website hosts the full event schedule and ticketing links. (zoo.sandiegozoo.org)