birthdays & private events
venues
The Phoenix Zoo offers more than a dozen unique and beautiful venues for weddings, corporate events, proms, retreats and any of your special event needs. All evening rentals include a basic lighting package. When needed, evening rentals also include guest transportation to and from the Zoo entrance and the venue.
For more information, please call us at 602.914.4301.
C.W. & MODENE NEELY EDUCATION & EVENT CENTER
Available for Daytime and Evening events
Located hilltop adjacent to the Zoo’s Tropics Trail, this versatile indoor climate-controlled facility provides a unique and modern setting for everything from business meetings to weddings. The main indoor hall can be divided into three separate rooms for smaller functions. The beautiful outdoor patio, overlooking the main lake and Gibbon Island, is included for evening rentals. Basic in-house audio visual system available for use in this facility.
Capacity
- Round table seating for up to 240 included
- Accommodates 200 classroom-style | 240 theater-style
- Reception-style 400 indoor | 600 indoor & outdoor
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
DESERT GROVE
Under Renovations; Temporarily Unavailable
Surround yourself with the beauty of Arizona. This private venue in the middle of the Zoo’s Arizona Trail is a great fit for daytime or evening events. Dine amongst the native Arizona vegetation and then wander the trail to meet some of its animal residents.
DESERT TENTS
This desert oasis is a Bedouin-style campsite nestled at the base of the Bighorn Buttes, including five permanent tent structures surrounding an open event space and central fire pit. Desert Tents is a unique escape, day or night. Evening rentals include guest transportation to and from the Safari Cruiser Station and venue, and basic lighting package.
Capacity
- Round table seating for up to 120 included
- Accommodates 120 seated | 300 reception-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
FOREST OF UCO
Surround your guests with the ambiance of a small Colombian mountain village right here in Phoenix. Fiesta in the cobblestone street under special Portofino lighting for a true south-of-the-border feel. Evening rentals include guest transportation to and from the Safari Cruiser Station and venue, and basic lighting package. Sorry, no daytime rentals available.
Capacity
- Round table seating for up to 120 included
- Accommodates 120 seated | 300 reception-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
LEMUR LANE
This park-like lakeside area offers stunning views of the Zoo’s main lake and its island residents. Consisting of several brick patios along the sidewalk that combine for a larger area.
Capacity
- Lounge style seating included
- Accommodates 100 cocktail-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
LAKESIDE
Available for Daytime and Evening events
Located in the center of the Zoo, this venue provides a peaceful view of the main lake. Under the canopy tent is a great location for your fun-packed picnic or an elegant evening gala. Evening rentals include basic lighting package.
Capacity
- Picnic-style seating for 300 included
- Accommodates 800 seated | 5,000 reception-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
ORANG-HUTAN
Available for Evening events
This indoor climate-controlled room is set in the center of the Zoo’s breathtaking orangutan experience, Orang-Hutan: “People of the Forest.” With large windows looking into the exhibit and beautifully landscaped outdoor gardens, this unique location is unmatched by any other venue in the Valley. Only available for evening rentals, this one-of-a-kind space will provide the perfect backdrop for your event. Sorry, no daytime rentals available.
Capacity
- Round table seating for up to 100 included
- Accommodates 100 seated | 200 reception-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
PLAZA DE LOS NIÑOS
Available for Daytime and Evening events
An enchanting outdoor site offering flexibility and privacy while overlooking the Nina Mason Pulliam Children’s Trail lake. Evening rentals include basic lighting package.
Capacity
- Permanent picnic-style seating for 180 included
- Accommodates 300 seated | 1,000 reception-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
PHOENIX BAKERY
Available for Daytime and Evening events
Host your event at the Phoenix Bakery and take a step back in time. Once located in downtown Phoenix, the original bakery has been reconstructed and authentically decorated to provide guests with a historically-themed venue option. Nestled between the collared peccary and coyote exhibits, this one-of-a-kind venue offers guests an indoor/outdoor experience featuring a lighted courtyard and unparalleled ambiance.
Capacity
- Round table seating for up to 80 included (inside seating for 40 | outside seating for 40)
- Accommodates 80 seated | 200 reception-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
Display cabinets, windows and shelving must remain as they are, items may not be rearranged or relocated.
RUBY’S HOUSE
Available for Daytime and Evening events
Built in 1935, Ruby’s House is a charming piece of Zoo history, dedicated to Ruby, the Zoo’s famous painting elephant. This quaint, garden cottage boasts spectacular sunset views and is ideal for wedding ceremonies, smaller receptions and other intimate events. Evening rentals include basic lighting package.
Capacity
- Round table seating for up to 60 included
- Accommodates 60 seated | 150 reception-style | 60 ceremony
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
SAVANNA
Available for Early Morning & Evening events
Treat your guests to sweeping views of the Zoo’s African Savanna habitat. There’s nothing quite like basking in the beautiful Arizona sunset overlooking the incredible and expansive Plain. Available for after hours ceremonies only.
Ceremonies may not start prior to 6 p.m.
Capacity
- Accommodates 100 ceremony
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
STONE HOUSE PAVILION
Available for Daytime and Evening events
Stone House Pavilion is an upscale indoor meeting and banquet facility that features an outdoor covered terrace. This popular venue is an excellent setting for corporate gatherings, dinners, wedding receptions and more.
Capacity
- Round table seating for up to 300 included
- Accommodates 550 reception-style | 300 classroom-style | 400 theater-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
TROPICAL FLIGHTS
Available for Daytime events
This private picnic location sits just off the Tropics Trail. With a shaded seating area offering a front row view of Gibbon Island, lush tropical plants and an exotic bird aviary — Tropical Flights is a beautiful daytime-only venue. Sorry, no evening rentals available.
Capacity
- Permanent picnic-style seating for 42 included
- Accommodates 42 seated | 100 reception-style
- Specialty seating requires additional rentals
Ready to book a venue?
The Phoenix Zoo offers more than 15 unique and beautiful venues for weddings, corporate events, proms, retreats and any of your special event needs.