The Ralston – Now Available for Bookings
Opening 2025!
Elevate your celebrations at The Ralston! Experience the charm of The Ralston, San Antonio’s premier event destination, opening in 2025 at San Antonio Zoo. Nestled against historic quarried cliff walls, The Ralston offers a truly unique backdrop where elegance meets the wild. Perfect for galas, fundraisers, weddings, and celebrations, this versatile space fosters unforgettable moments and lasting connections.
With capacity for up to 500 guests indoors—and room for over 600 with a covered patio expansion—your event will feature breathtaking views of gorillas at Congo Falls, lions, the Naylor Savanna, and the San Antonio skyline. Immerse your guests in an extraordinary setting that unites community and conservation.
Reserve your date now to be among the first to create memories at The Ralston. Submit your event inquiry today!
The Ralston Image Gallery
Learn about our other zoo event spaces
Host an Event to Remember
Looking for a unique meeting, wedding venue, or company picnic ideas? Then head to San Antonio Zoo. With a veritable receiving line of animals from around the globe, the zoo provides an unforgettable backdrop for corporate events, association events, wedding receptions, and private parties. Say your vows in the Africa Live! Hippo viewing cave, open birthday gifts next to our capybaras or hold your company’s team-building event on the Great Lawn. Whether your event planning is for 20 or 5,000, San Antonio Zoo will make it one to remember.
Elevate your next event with our Rooftop Terrace! Whether a cocktail reception, lunch, dinner or birthday party, we have you covered. Located at the entrance of the zoo overlooking H-E-B Plaza, the lemurs and flamingos, it’s one of the best views we have. Reserve half of the space or the entirety to meet your needs.
Seated : Up to 200 Guests
Reception: Up to 250 Guests
Theater Style: Up to 100 Guests
AH, C, B, W, P, H, D, L, PR
Located just past the front entrance, this hidden gem is perfect for a birthday party or company picnic. Our patio is a quiet oasis with views of our Whataburger Theater and Butterfly Garden.
Includes existing seating for up to 40 guests
Seated (with extended space): up to 70 guests
Reception: Up to 80 guests
B, P, L
Need to get away…Hippo Overlook is not your typical meeting room. This indoor, air-conditioned space is very versatile. We don’t do boring events, let us hold your next team building or strategy planning meeting. When you need a break, step out onto the patio and look down to see Timothy and Uma hanging out. Ask our team how you can feed them? If you’re looking for non-work options for this room, it is perfect for social occasions. From wedding ceremonies, receptions, holiday parties or lunch/dinner, this space can’t be beat.
Seated (Inside Only): Up to 80 Guests
Seated (Inside and Outside): Up to 140 guests
Theater Style: Up to 100 guests
AH, C, W, H, D, L, M, PR
For those seeking an utterly unique venue, when a plain ballroom just won’t do, we have our Hippo Cave available. Like nothing else in San Antonio, Hippo Cave can be reserved after zoo hours for an upscale reception or dinner.
Seated: Up to 100 Guests
Reception: Up to 120 Guests
Theater Style: Up to 60 Guests
AH, C, W, H, D, PR
Events under the Big Texas Sky are always special. Our Great Lawn is great for larger groups looking to enjoy an evening under the stars. Whether a dinner, reception or fundraiser, the sky is the limit!
Seated: Up to 300 Guests
Reception: Up to 50 Guests
AH, W, P
Experience the wonder of our expanded, newly opened Naylor Savanna on our Savanna Deck. Let us plan your wild event, just remember to invite the giraffes, zebras and other animals of the Savanna.
Seated: Up to 50 Guests
Reception: Up to 80 Guests
Theater Style: Up to 60 Guests
AH, C, D, PR
Nestled between our amazing Naylor Savanna and the upcoming Congo Falls, our Rhino Deck is perfect to kick off your day at the zoo with a lunch or reception for your team building day. Just remember our three amazing rhinos are invited too!
Seated: Up to 120 Guests
Reception: Up to 150 Guests
Theater Style: Up to 100 Guests
AH, C, L, D, P, PR
In the middle of everything exciting is our Zoo Gardens! Located across from Lory Landing and right next to our Capybara exhibit, this space is great for birthday parties or a picnic. You and your guests can have some amazing food and beverage and then explore the zoo grounds for an amazing day.
Existing Seating: Up to 25 Guests
B, P
*Room capacities may fluctuate depending on menu and beverage selections, additional tables needed, spacing for vendors, etc. Please speak to our sales team about your vision for the event so they can better assist you with this!
Reference the Key Below for More Venue Information:
AH (after hours), C (Corporate events), B (birthdays), W (Weddings), (P) Picnics, (H) Holidays, (D) Dinner, (L) Lunch, (M) Meetings, Presentations (PR)
