Ofrenda
October 31, 2026 - November 2, 2026
9:00AM - 3:30PM
This October 31 through November 2, we invite the community to come together in remembrance, reflection, and celebration during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a meaningful cultural tradition rooted in honoring those we’ve lost.
Free with admission or membership.
Free with admission or membership.
Honoring animals during Dia de los Muertos
An altar for memories
In partnership with the 4th Year and Heritage Spanish students at Tacoma Public School’s Science and Math Institute (SAMi), the zoo has created a public-facing ofrenda, or altar, that shines a light on a unique kind of remembrance: the animals who have touched our lives, whether wild or domestic.
Join in the remembrance
Bring a photo of a beloved animal such as a cherished pet, a favorite zoo resident, or a wild creature that inspired you, and place it on the ofrenda. Guests are welcome to spend time at the altar, reading the stories, reflecting quietly, or sharing memories and connections with others.
Looking for more events?
Garden Tour: Plants Gone Wild
Meet our plants - and our horticulturalists.
August 2.
Find Information
Get to know our animals and their stories
Read our blogs to learn more about our amazing animals and how we care for them.