The Sacramento Zoo opens its gates after dark on October 9 for one of the city’s better fall traditions — and at $45 a ticket, it’s a Friday night that actually goes somewhere.
Wine on the Wild Side returns to the Sacramento Zoo on Friday, October 9, 2026, with more than 40 local wineries pouring from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It’s a 21-and-over event, which means no strollers and no explaining to a seven-year-old why you’re sniffing your glass. The zoo after dark is a genuinely unusual setting for a wine tasting — and that’s the whole point.
What It Is
Wine on the Wild Side is an annual fundraiser for the Sacramento Zoo Foundation. The proceeds go toward conservation programs and animal care at the zoo, which has been operating in William Land Park since 1927. Buying a ticket is both a night out and a donation to a Sacramento institution — that context makes the admission price feel a bit different than a standard wine festival.
The wine pours are the main draw. The lineup of 40-plus participating wineries skews heavily regional, with producers from Amador County, El Dorado, Lodi, and Clarksburg represented alongside a handful of broader California labels. These aren’t wineries that show up at every Bay Area event — some are small operations that pour at Sacramento-area markets and almost nowhere else. Regulars tend to come with a short wishlist and leave with a few new bottles on their radar. If you’ve been exploring Amador County wine country this fall, this is a good way to revisit some favorites indoors.
Live music comes from 2 Humans, a duo that covers music from the 1970s through the 1990s. They’ll be playing throughout the evening — present enough to enjoy, understated enough that you can actually have a conversation. The first 1,000 guests through the gate receive a complimentary souvenir wine glass. A free photo booth runs from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Food is available from zoo vendors for separate purchase. This year’s menu includes tandoori chicken flatbread, crispy pork belly, paneer fritters, and apple cinnamon bread pudding. It’s more interesting than the typical event food spread, though lines can build near the dinner hour.
Practical Notes
A few things worth knowing before you go:
The zoo closes early that day. On October 9, the Sacramento Zoo closes to daytime visitors at 1:30 p.m. — earlier than the normal 4:00 p.m. cutoff — so staff can prepare the grounds for the evening. If you were planning a regular visit to the zoo that afternoon, plan around it.
Dress for the evening. Sacramento nights in early October can drop into the mid-50s after 7:00 p.m., and the zoo grounds are mostly outdoors. A layer is worth packing.
Tickets sell out. This event typically fills up in the days before it happens. If you’re reading this close to the date, check availability sooner rather than later. Tickets are non-refundable.
Parking is free throughout William Land Park. If you’d rather skip the lot, SacRT Bus Route #11 runs daily at the zoo entrance.
For more on the zoo’s fall programming — including animal demonstrations and what to expect from Dinosaur Safari — see our full Sacramento Zoo fall guide.
The Details
- Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
- Time: 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Sacramento Zoo, 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822
- GPS tip: Navigate to Land Park Drive and 16th Ave, Sacramento for the correct entrance
- Tickets: $45 general; $40 for Sacramento Zoo members
- Age: 21+ only — ID required at the door
- Ticket policy: Non-refundable; purchase online at saczoo.org
- Parking: Free in William Land Park
- Transit: SacRT Bus Route #11 (daily at zoo entrance)
- Contact: 916-808-5888 or info@saczoo.org
Bottom Line
Wine on the Wild Side is one of those Sacramento events that sounds more novelty than substance — zoo plus wine sounds gimmicky on paper — but the setting actually earns its place. The zoo after dark is quiet and slightly strange in the right way, the wine pours are genuinely regional rather than generically California, and the price comes with a conservation donation built in. At $45 it’s not a cheap Friday night, but it’s a full evening in a venue that isn’t doing this any other night of the year.
If you’re still planning your fall event calendar, Sacramento Oktoberfest is another option worth a look — check out our roundup of Sacramento Oktoberfest events in 2026.
