22nd Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta.
Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Zoo. Subscribe to our blog to stay informed. To learn more about how you can get involved contact Chair Kristina Flores at cdec.chair@gmail.com
The 22nd annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta is coming up at the El Paso Zoo on September 26th, from 10:30am to 3:00pm. Enjoy learning about our Chihuahuan Desert through the zoo exhibits and discovery tables featuring local organizations and educators.
Visit our Chihuahuan Desert section to learn more about our desert from local organizations and education partners.
Zoo-wide programs
10:30 am Wild Encounters@ Wildlife Amphitheater
11:30 am Sea Lion
12:00 pm Greater One-Horned Rhino
12:00 pm Painted Dog
12:30 pm Sumatran Orangutan
2:15 pm Animals of Africa @ in Front of Meerkats
2:30 pm Lar Gibbon
2:30 pm Big Cats @ Jaguar Amphitheater
2:45 pm Turkey Vulture @ Chihuahuan Desert
Wildlife Amphitheater:
1:00 pm Compañia Cultural De Ballet Folklorico
Schedule of Events
We will post a schedule later this year.
Education Partners
Watch for their booths in the Chihuahuan Desert Exhibit
Event History
The original event began in 2005 was sponsored by the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition (CDEC) and has been growing in popularity throughout the years. Not long after CDEC helped to sponsor and organize the first Poppies Fest playing a major role in gaining support for the establishment of Castner Range National Monument.
Visitors can expect animal encounter presentations, educational booths and entertainment at the zoo. Fiesta celebration events at the zoo will be included as part of the regular entrance fee. Fee information can be found at: http://www.elpasozoo.org
If you missed the 2020 Virtual Fiesta you can watch some of the presentations here. To see highlights from past fiestas here are some videos you can watch.
Harris Hawk Presentation
Trans Pecos Ratsnake Presentation
Fiesta Highlights from 2015
Fiesta Highlights from 2011
Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition
PO Box 9121
El Paso, TX 79995-9121