Most Sacramento families think of the zoo as a spring or summer outing. December tells a different story. Crowds thin, the animals are noticeably more active in the cooler air, and the Sacramento Zoo’s schedule this month includes two of its best-value dates of the year: a $10 Community Day on December 23 and a family New Year’s celebration on December 31.
Why December Is Worth a Second Look
The Sacramento Zoo sits inside William Land Park, a few minutes south of downtown, and December is one of its quieter months — which is exactly why it’s worth putting on the calendar. Smaller crowds mean less time waiting at popular exhibits and more time actually watching the animals. Big cats, meerkats, and giant tortoises tend to be noticeably more active when temperatures drop, and the whole place has a different pace once the summer rush is gone.
This month also marks the final stretch of the Dinosaur Safari, a seasonal installation that’s been running since summer. The exhibit features life-size animatronic dinosaurs stationed throughout the zoo grounds and is included with regular admission at no extra charge. The zoo confirms it runs “through December,” which means any visit this month catches the last days of the installation before it closes out for the season.
December 23: The $10 Community Day
The Sacramento Zoo designates one day each month as a Community Day, and December’s edition lands on the 23rd — right before the holiday closure. On that day, admission drops to $10 for all ages. For context, the zoo uses dynamic pricing: standard tickets typically run higher on weekends and holiday-adjacent dates. The Community Day rate is one of the lowest single-admission prices the zoo offers all year.
Tickets must be purchased in advance at tickets.saczoo.org; the $10 discount does not apply at the gate. The tradeoff is that December 23 is a school-break date, and the low price will draw more families than a typical weekday. Arrive early — entry opens at 9 a.m.
December 24–25: The Zoo Is Closed
The Sacramento Zoo is closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If out-of-town family is visiting for the holiday, build this into the schedule. The days bracketing the closure — December 23 (Community Day) and December 26 onward — are the practical options for a zoo visit during the holiday week.
December 31: Noon Year’s Eve
The zoo has a Noon Year’s Eve celebration scheduled for December 31 — an early-day event designed for families who want to mark the new year on a kid-friendly schedule rather than staying up until midnight. Full program details and ticket pricing for this event weren’t announced at publication time. Check saczoo.org/special-events for updates as the date approaches.
Sacramento families who want an alternative on the same day: the Sacramento History Museum at 101 I Street also hosts its own Noon Year’s Eve event on December 31, with craft stations, gold panning, face painting, and a balloon drop at noon.
Practical Notes for a December Visit
Dress in layers. Land Park in December can start in the low 40s and warm to the mid-50s by afternoon. The zoo has limited indoor spaces, so a cold morning walk through open-air exhibits is part of the deal — that said, the animals are usually worth it. Giraffes, big cats, and birds of prey tend to move around more when it’s not blazing hot.
Parking is free and on-street throughout William Land Park. For those taking transit, SacRT Route #11 stops in front of the zoo all week. The zoo’s standard hours in December are entry from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the grounds remaining open until 5 p.m.
AZA members (from any of 150+ accredited zoos and aquariums) receive 50% off standard admission. If you’re already a member of the San Francisco Zoo, the Oakland Zoo, or another AZA institution, that card works here.
For a broader look at the zoo across the fall season, the Sacramento Zoo fall guide covers what to see in each section and when to go. And if you’re building a fuller December calendar, the Sacramento Christmas events roundup and the guide to the Polar Express Train Ride at the California State Railroad Museum are both worth a look.
The Details
- Where: 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822 (GPS: Land Park Drive & 16th Ave)
- Hours: Entry 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; grounds open until 5 p.m.
- December 23 Community Day: $10 all ages — purchase in advance at tickets.saczoo.org
- December 24–25: Zoo closed
- December 31 Noon Year’s Eve: Scheduled — details TBD at saczoo.org/special-events
- Dinosaur Safari: Included with admission, runs through end of December
- Parking: Free on-street throughout Land Park
- Transit: SacRT Route #11 stops in front of the zoo all week
- AZA members: 50% off standard admission
- Phone: 916-808-5888
- Tickets: tickets.saczoo.org
Bottom Line
December is an underrated month to visit the Sacramento Zoo. The $10 Community Day on December 23 is the most obvious draw — it’s one of the lowest-cost family outings in Sacramento during the holiday week. But even outside that date, the combination of lighter crowds, cooler weather (which makes animals more active), and the Dinosaur Safari still running through the end of the month makes any December visit a solid choice. Book tickets in advance, layer up, and plan around the December 24–25 closure.
