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Host An Event

Social Events

By hosting your next gala, rehearsal dinner, birthday, or other milestone celebration at Houston Zoo, you can be sure your guests will be buzzing about your event long after the party ends.

Venue Options

Explore our unique private event venues below to find your perfect fit. Whichever venue you choose, the event specialists at Houston Zoo will work to bring your event to life.

Download our Venue Map to see where these venues are located within the Zoo.

Have Questions? Want Pricing?

Submit an inquiry using the form below, and a Houston Zoo event specialist will respond with more information.

Contact Us – Inquiry Form

Houston Zoo Special Events
713-533-6833
events@houstonzoo.org

Host an upscale dinner or happy hour and explore the wonders of the Galápagos Islands’ dynamic underwater life. Experience unending views of the 290,000 gallon aquarium featuring sharks, stingrays, and colorful fish in a coral reef habitat.

Seating for 20 included
Evening rental
Light music permitted inside building

Capacity:
Seating: 20
Cocktail style: 40

Seating style capacity for both aquarium and sea lion cave: 60
Cocktail style capacity for both aquarium and sea lion cave: 115

Evening rental only
Sea lion tunnel available

Immerse yourself in the Galápagos Islands and dine underwater in the majestic Sea Lion Cave. This remarkable venue gives you an underwater look into our sea lions’ 362,000-gallon saltwater home. Complete your oceanic experience by adding on the One Ocean aquarium.

Seating for 40 included
Evening rental
Private restrooms
Light music permitted inside building

Capacity:
Seating: 40
Cocktail style: 75

Seating style capacity for both aquarium and sea lion cave: 60
Cocktail style capacity for both aquarium and sea lion cave: 115

Evening rental only
Sea lion tunnel available

Nestled above our expansive gorilla habitat sits the Nau Family Gorilla Treehouse. This intimate and exclusive space is perfect for company meetings and dinner parties.

Incredible 30 foot maple table seats 32 or divides into separate tables seating 60 total (additional fee applies to separate table)

Audio-video capability
Daytime or evening rental
One-of-a-kind views of the gorilla and red river hog habitat
Private restrooms inside the building

Capacity:
Boardroom style: 32
Dinner style capacity: 60

This space is for grownups only! We look forward to hosting your board meeting, cocktail party or dinner in this exclusive location.

Enter Africa with panoramic scenery of the gorilla and red river hog habitat. Take the views to the next level by adding the Gathering Tent to your event.

Seating for 60 included
Daytime or evening rental
Built-in service bar
Light music permitted inside building

Capacity:
Seating: 60
Cocktail style: 70

Addition of the Gathering Tent available for an additional fee
Evening rental only
Cocktail style capacity for both spaces combined: 120

The restaurant’s French Colonial ambiance and soaring ceilings will transport you on an African adventure. Make it a true African experience by adding the patios that overlook the giraffe and rhino habitats.

Seating for 72 included inside restaurant at existing tables
Evening rental
Light music permitted inside building
Music with dancing permitted in plaza
Capacity:
Seating: 72

Addition of the Giraffe and Rhino Patios for an additional fee
Capacity:
Seating – Giraffe: 55
Seating – Rhino: 65

Add Plaza for an additional fee
Capacity:
Seating: 180

This richly earth-toned venue has beamed ceilings and features vibrant displays of all things gorilla. Expansive windows showcase the inspiring Gorilla Day Room.

Seating for 80 included
Gorilla statues perfect for photo ops
Daytime or evening rental
Dimmable lighting
Light music permitted inside building

Capacity:
Seating: 80
Cocktail style: 100

Addition of the Onstead Foundation Chimpanzee Habitat available for an additional fee
Evening rental only
Seating style capacity for both locations: 140
Cocktail style capacity for both spaces combined: 200

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a picturesque view into the nearly half-an-acre chimpanzee habitat.

Seating for 60 included
Evening rental
Private restroom inside building
Light music permitted inside building

Capacity:
Seating: 60
Cocktail style: 100

Journey into Southeast Asia when you party like a pachyderm at the magnificent McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. An expansive boardwalk features unobstructed views of the elephant yard and pool while lush landscaping surrounds your outdoor celebration.

Seating for 80 included at dining alcove
Evening rental
Tranquil water feature with fountains
Light music permitted

Capacity:
Seating: 80
Cocktail style: 200

A journey through Natural Encounters is like a journey through an entire continent. See the homes of animals from the river’s edge, rainforest canopy, desert, and coral reef. Make it an elegant encounter with a seated dinner or party with the piranhas as you crawl through a see-through tunnel that looks into their exhibit.

Seating for 100 included
Evening rental
Built-in sound system
Built-in service bar
Light music permitted inside building
Music with dancing permitted outside building

Capacity:
Seating: 100
Cocktail style: 150

The Reptile House offers an unforgettable setting for a most unique gathering. Treat your guests to an unusual “house” party that is sure to intrigue everyone in attendance.

Seating for 100 included
Evening rental
Distinctive desert and tropical displays in exhibits
Light music permitted inside building
Music with dancing permitted outside building

Capacity:
Seating: 100
Cocktail style: 200

Tucked away beneath some of the Zoo’s oldest oak trees, enjoy a night under the stars. The Vulture Habitat provides an enchanting backdrop as you mix and mingle with your guests.

Seating for 100 included
Evening rental
Tranquil waterfall in exhibit
Music with dancing permitted
Enhance your cocktail hour by adding the McNair Elephant Habitat for an additional fee

Capacity:
Seating: 120
Cocktail style: 250

George R. Brown Conservation Education Center

This is a great “spot” for lunch, dinner, or an all-day meeting. Combine the Hall with the Auditorium to conduct a dynamic presentation with full audio-visual capability.

Seating for 100 included
Daytime or evening rental
Private restrooms inside the building
Music with dancing permitted inside building

Capacity:
Seating: 150
Cocktail style: 300

Auditorium and Classrooms available for an additional fee
Auditorium
Built-in projector, screen, microphone, and speaker

Capacity;
Stadium style seating: 287

Classrooms A & B
Daytime or evening rental
Built-in projector and screen
Removable partition allows for combining or separating the two classrooms

Capacity:
Seating: 35 per classroom

This room without walls captures the simplicity and serenity of the Zoo.

Seating for 150 included at existing picnic tables (fee applies to remove and upgrade tables)
Daytime or evening rental
Easy access to restrooms
Music with dancing permitted

Capacity:
Seating under tent: 150
Cocktail style: 300

Nestled in the heart of the Zoo, this open tent is the perfect place for an unforgettable company outing or a serene evening event.

Seating for 200 included at existing picnic tables (fee applies to remove and upgrade tables)
Daytime or evening rental
Easy access to restrooms
Music with dancing permitted
Option to close tent panels
3 large ceiling fans

Capacity:
Seating under tent: 200
Lawn seating: 100
Cocktail style: 400

On the edge of the African Forest sits this vibrant, covered party venue. It is the perfect place to gather for a large company outing or dance the night away with family and friends!

Seating for 200 included
Daytime or evening rental
Easy access to restrooms
Music with dancing permitted
Option to close tent panels
4 large ceiling fans

Capacity:
Seating under tent: 400
Lawn seating: 300
Cocktail style: 1200

Looking for a zoo-nique experience? Ask about renting out the entire Zoo for an exclusive evening!

Find Out More

Catering

The Houston Zoo’s onsite, full-service catering partner, Taste Catering, offers locally sourced and sustainable fare. The menus below have been crafted to fit your specific party needs.

DAYTIME MENU

EVENING MENU

Event Enhancements

Want to ensure your guests have a roaring good time? Add on a few of the event enhancements below to create an exciting experience like no other in town.

Daytime Event Enhancements

Evening Event Enhancements

Testimonials

“The Houston Zoo far exceeded my expectations for the Jones Graduate School of Business Gala. The event was completely seamless and the Zoo staff allowed me to relax and enjoy the event. This was by far the best gala Rice has seen!”
– Kristen Meyer, Rice University

“Since our event several of our guests have stated that it was so well they will consider hosting events there in the future. In addition, several older guests said they hadn’t been to the Zoo in more than 20 years and were pleased with how beautiful the grounds were and couldn’t wait to come back soon with their grandkids.”
– Ryan Dagley, North Shore Rotary

“The Houston Zoo is the best place/venue to hold our fundraising events. The event coordination staff is phenomenal and very patient working with clients. We have all our fundraising events at Houston Zoo!”
– Alex Urband, Epilepsy Foundation Texas