Private Events
Discover a wild location for any occasion
A Different Kind of Animal
Introducing an event venue of an entirely different animal — The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens! Located just minutes from El Paseo and downtown Palm Desert restaurants, shops, and hotels, The Living Desert is a family-friendly place to explore nature and create meaningful experiences that are remembered for a lifetime.
A private event at The Living Desert transports guests to deserts across the globe, including the African savanna, the Rocky Mountains of North America, and the lush gardens of Australia.
With over 12 indoor/outdoor venue options to choose from, The Living Desert offers a setting unlike anywhere else in Southern California. From lavish cocktail parties,
receptions, and holiday celebrations to corporate mixers, meetings, team-building events, birthdays, graduations, and proms, there is a perfect venue for each occasion.
Whether you are planning a largescale conference, a mid-level event, or just a small affair, our events team can assist you with creating an experience guests are not soon to forget.
Inquire about our special Private Group Tours and after-hours programs that can be specifically tailored to meet the needs of your event.
For more information and to book a complimentary site tour, call 760-346-0301, or visit LivingDesert.org/PrivateEvent.
For Any Type of Event
Small get-togethers, cocktail parties, mixers, and social gatherings of almost any size
Holiday celebrations where guests can experience seasonal, evening events
Special event celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, quinceañeras, bar mitzvahs, and bat mitzvahs
Wedding ceremonies and receptions
Corporate events, formal dinners, and team-building functions
Children’s parties at exciting locations throughout the Zoo
Say “I Do” at the Zoo
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens offers four breathtaking wedding ceremony sites and four exceptional wedding reception venues, each wonderfully unique in their own special way.
Whether you are planning a rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony and/or a reception, you and your guests will experience an event unlike any other in the most unique setting in the Coachella Valley.
For more information and to book a complimentary site tour, please contact us at events@livingdesert.org or 760-346-0301.
For the Young and Young at Heart
With whimsical settings, interactive features, and captivating creatures, a children’s party at The Living Desert is always wonderfully wild. A new venue option, coming in the spring of 2025, is the eco-friendly Oasis Splash Pad play area! Other fun, children-friendly areas include the Petting Kraal, Endangered Species Carousel, Bighorn Railroad, the Discovery Center, and Gecko Gulch.
Curated Menus
When you’re hosting an event at The Living Desert, we create the menu specifically for you and your guests. Our in-house catering team curates the food and drink options based on the unique needs for each gathering, from formal meals to buffet-style spreads and hors d’oeuvres. In addition to traditional selections, The Living Desert also offers innovative new dishes plus options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus.
Venue Guide
Whether you are planning an intimate affair or a grand soiree, The Living Desert has the perfect venue for any occasion. We invite you to choose your own adventure, from the charm of the Australian Adventures Outlook to the tranquil cactus gardens and the backdrop of the desert mountains of North America. At the breathtaking Giraffe Platform, the giraffe and greater kudu roam adjacent to the desert landscape and starry skies of the Sahara.
Bighorn Cafe and Oasis Splash Pad
Give us a call to book Bighorn Cafe, The Living Desert’s newest venue, overlooking the impressive Bighorn Mountain. Guests will experience expansive views of the bighorn sheep while enjoying top-notch food and beverage options. Just steps away is the eco-friendly Oasis Splash Pad, a desert-themed play area — perfect for children’s parties — where visitors of all ages can enjoy a cool escape. Including both outside and inside spaces, this event venue is ideal for weddings, corporate dinners, holiday parties, and more.
Details Bighorn Cafe can accommodate 150 guests inside and 150 guests outside. Restrooms are conveniently located inside the facility.
The Giraffe Platform
Details
The Giraffe Platform can accommodate up to 200 guests for a standing reception. The Rhino Savanna Overlook can accommodate 100 people for a standing reception.
Want to add something special?
Let your guests feed the giraffe during the cocktail reception!
There is no other place in Southern California that compares to the Giraffe Platform, overlooking the Giraffe Savanna habitat. Here, the giraffe wander on the lush hillside and may make frequent visits to the platform where you and your guests are invited to feed them as you sip champagne and stand in awe of these truly majestic creatures. The nearby Rhino Savanna Overlook is also available for intimate gatherings.
Palm Garden Patio
Guests can dine under the stars amidst desert breezes and the splendor of palm trees at the stunning, openair Palm Garden Patio.
Located just a short distance from the park’s main entrance, this popular event area is ideal for weddings, corporate dinners, holiday events, and more. Over 40 species of palm trees surround the spacious patio. Adjacent is the popular G-Scale model train exhibit, Bighorn Railroad, ideal for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as guests make their way to the Palm Garden Patio for dinner. Perfect for day or evening events, the Patio is fully equipped with lighting and a stage.
Details
The Palm Garden is 6,400 sq ft (80 ft x 80 ft) with a 9 ft x 24 ft built-in stage, and is well-suited for most tent configurations. Stage can be enlarged if needed for larger entertainment groups. The Palm Garden can accommodate 250 seated guests. Festival string lights illuminate this area. Basic sound system handles announcements and use of music through MP3 or iPod.
Stephen B. Chase Building
Tennity Board Room, Littlefield Art Gallery, and Lurie Reception Patio
Details
n The Tennity Boardroom is 1,368 sq ft (38 ft x 36 ft) and can accommodate 80 seated or 110 standing guests.
n The Indoor Reception Area is 1,248 sq ft (52 ft x 24 ft) and can accommodate 50 seated or 100 standing guests.
n The Lurie Patio is 3,700 sq ft (100 ft x 37 ft) and can accommodate 100 seated or 150 standing guests. Restrooms are conveniently located inside the building and adjacent to the Lurie Reception Patio.
Elegant, organic, and inspired by nature, the Stephen B. Chase Building features the stunning Littlefield Art Gallery, Tennity Board Room, and Lurie Reception Patio with its modern landscaping and sculptural waterfall. The venue is fully equipped with ambient lighting, an indoor/ outdoor sound system, and digital projector and screen.
Village WaTuTu
Village WaTuTu offers a safari your guests will never forget.
Located near the giraffe habitat, this 5-acre area includes the shaded Elder’s Grove, a ceremony location with rustic style benches. Encircling the grounds are dromedary camel, striped hyena, weaver birds, and Addax antelope habitats.
Events at Village WaTuTu are unlike any others hosted in Southern California, and will provide your guests with a truly memorable experience.
For an additional fee, guests can also enjoy the popular Petting Kraal, where they can experience close encounters with friendly Nigerian dwarf goats.
Details
Available for evening rentals only, Village WaTuTu can accommodate from 150 to 1,000 people. Elder’s Grove can accommodate 200 people for a ceremony. Restrooms are conveniently located at the Village entrance.
Irvine Patio
The Irvine Patio, with its shaded palm trees and wildlife sculptures, is a private oasis ideal for receptions, cocktail parties, family gatherings, and outdoor dining. This venue is fully equipped with restrooms and lighting.
Details
The Irvine Patio can accommodate up to 150 guests seated or 250 guests for a cocktail reception. Restrooms are conveniently located within the Irvine Patio.
Australian Adventures
With enchanting overhead lighting, this special space looks over the immersive Australian Adventures habitat. Guests can enjoy cocktails as they watch wallabies hopping below, along with free-flying budgies.
This adventurous venue is perfect for a truly memorable cocktail reception or ceremony. Surrounding gardens highlight native Australian plants including acacia, ghost gum, and the Queensland bottle tree.
Details
Australian Adventures Outlook includes tables and chairs and can accommodate up to 100 guests for a cocktail or ceremony reception. Restrooms are conveniently located nearby.
From lavish cocktail parties and dinners to intimate receptions and ceremonies, to a different road traveled corporate adventure event, meeting, or picnic — The Living Desert offers a setting unlike anywhere in the Coachella Valley!