“Dino Summer” Events at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Listed below are events being held June through August as part of the “Dino Summer” experience at Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

What:             Free event: “DinoRoars”

When:            Saturday June 1 to Aug. 31
                        8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where:           Smithsonian’s National Zoo
                        3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.

Travel back in time with “DinoRoars” — a self-guided safari around the Smithsonian’s National Zoo — and meet massive animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar. From June 1 to Aug. 31, visitors will be able to look up and listen as the roar of a 39-foot-long T. rex joins the symphony of Zoo animal chirps, squawks and chuffs. On exhibit will be compsognathus, dilophosaurus, parasaurolophus and babies, stegosaurus and baby, quetzalcoatlus and babies and T. rex. Each dinosaur is fitted with electronic brains to activate and control movements and produce the sounds. Admission to the Zoo and “DinoRoars” is free. “Dino Summer” at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is sponsored by 97.1 WASH-FM, ABC7, Macy’s and Washington Parent. This event will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit the Zoo’s website.


What:             Ticketed event: “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live” Theatrical Show

When:             June 1 to Aug. 31
                         Tuesday through Sunday

                         10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Where:           Visitor Center Theater
                         Smithsonian’s National Zoo
                         3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.

Visitors will embark on a prehistoric journey at “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live,” an experiential theater production featuring a larger-than-life cast of dinosaur puppets, at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. From June 1 through Aug. 31, sophisticated, life-sized dinosaur puppets — brought to life by theatrical presentation and puppet mastery — will connect children to paleontology. This interactive production features 19 dinosaurs on stage including triceratops, T. rex, megneura, leaellynasaura, titanosaur and more.

“Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live” will perform 30-minute shows at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday in the Zoo’s air-conditioned Visitor Center Theater. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children; group tickets are also available. Discounts are available for Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) members. An exclusive “Dino Zoo Live” photo experience with a larger-then-life dinosaur will be available for purchase. “Dino Summer” at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is sponsored by 97.1 WASH-FM, ABC7, Macy’s and Washington Parent. This event will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit the Zoo’s website.


What:             Ticketed event: “Pandas” Documentary                      

When:             June 1 to Aug. 31
                        Tuesday through Sunday

                        12:15 p.m., 2:20 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Where:           Visitor Center Theater
                        Smithsonian’s National Zoo
                        3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.

Giant pandas are coming to the big screen in a breathtaking documentary this summer at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. In collaboration with Smithsonian Theaters, “Pandas” will be on view June 1 through Aug. 31, 2019 in the Zoo’s air-conditioned Visitor Center Theater. Audiences will get a glimpse into Chengdu Panda Base in China, where scientists are dedicated to protecting the species by breeding giant pandas and introducing cubs into the wild. Follow the story of a curious female cub, Qian Qian, as she experiences life outside her protected habitat for the first time. The 43-minute documentary runs Tuesday through Sunday at 12:15 p.m., 2:20 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults (ages 13+); $8 for members of the military and seniors (ages 60+); $7.50 for children (ages 2-12); and children under 2 are free. This event will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit the Zoo’s website.

# # #

Related Species:

Image Gallery

Continue Exploring

December 18, 2024

Amazing Animal Stories of 2024

This year was filled with incredible and heartwarming stories about the animals and the people who care for them. Enjoy a look back at some of the amazing things that happened this year.

December 10, 2024

The Secrets Behind Panda Feeding

Take a look behind the scenes as animal care teams provide an endless bamboo buffet to the Zoo's new giant pandas.

November 06, 2024

Helping Giant Pandas Feel at Home

A few weeks after their arrival, staff are helping giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao settle into their new home at Asia Trail.