San Diego Zoo uses seasonal closing times rather than one year-round schedule. October evening events and the winter Jungle Bells season can keep the grounds open later than they are on ordinary dates.
October Closing Times Are Extended for HalGLOWeen
October has a clear weekday-versus-weekend pattern in 2026. The Zoo’s published calendar shows a 9 a.m. opening with a 6 p.m. closing on regular early-October weekdays, while Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during HalGLOWeen stay open until 9 p.m.
HalGLOWeen activities begin at 5 p.m. The later closing time applies to the Zoo during the event, so visitors arriving in the afternoon have several additional evening hours compared with a standard October weekday.
This is also why a single closing time can be misleading for San Diego Zoo. The opening time can remain stable while the evening schedule changes for a seasonal program.
The Zoo Remains Open on Holidays
San Diego Zoo states that both the Zoo and Safari Park are open every day of the year, including holidays and during rain. A holiday therefore does not automatically mean the Zoo is closed.
The distinction is between being open and following the same closing time. Christmas, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and other holidays fall within the year-round operating policy, but the hours for a particular date can still be affected by the seasonal calendar.
For example, Christmas Day 2026 falls within the announced Jungle Bells period, giving that date a later seasonal schedule than an ordinary winter day. Christmas Eve is excluded from the 2026 Jungle Bells event dates, although the Zoo’s year-round policy still identifies the Zoo as open that day.
Jungle Bells Extends Winter Evenings to 8 p.m.
The next major seasonal hour change after October is Jungle Bells. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance lists the 2026–27 event for December 18, 2026 through January 3, 2027, except December 24.
During Jungle Bells, the Zoo operates from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event therefore affects the closing time on its scheduled dates rather than creating a separate admission period after the Zoo has closed.
That schedule includes Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day during the 2026–27 season. December 24 is not a Jungle Bells date, so the 8 p.m. event closing should not be assumed for Christmas Eve.
General Admission and Member Early Hours Use Different Clocks
Some qualifying San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance memberships include Early Hours on selected dates. These sessions provide entry before the normal public opening and should not be read as a change to general admission hours.
For the remaining 2026 calendar, qualifying member Early Hours are scheduled for November 1 and December 13. Eligible members can enter beginning at 8 a.m., with the early-access period running before regular public operations.
Individual experiences can also run on schedules that differ from the main gate. Guest Services, for example, is listed as open daily through Zoo closing, while tours and special programs may have their own check-in or departure times. For a visit centered on a specific tour or experience, that program time matters separately from the Zoo’s overall opening and closing schedule.