Qing Bao is turning 5 years old this weekend, giving panda fans another reason to visit the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
The female giant panda’s birthday celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, and the Zoo has confirmed that a special birthday treat will be presented at the panda habitat.
Unlike Bao Li’s birthday celebration in August, however, the Zoo has not announced a special theme for Qing Bao’s party.
When is Qing Bao’s birthday?
Qing Bao’s fifth birthday is Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, and the National Zoo will mark the occasion at 9 am.
The celebration will take place at the Giant Panda Habitat on Asia Trail, where panda keepers will present Qing Bao with a special birthday treat. This will also mark Qing Bao’s second birthday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo since she arrived in Washington.
The timing makes this an especially easy event to plan around if you want to see Qing Bao receive her birthday surprise in person. The Zoo is currently open from 8 am to 6 pm, with last entry at 5 pm.
Is there going to be a celebration you can attend?
Yes. The National Zoo has officially announced an in-person birthday celebration for Qing Bao at 9 am on Sept. 12.
Panda keepers will give her a “beary” special birthday treat: a custom fruit-based ice cake made by the Zoo’s commissary team. Visitors who can’t make it to the exhibit can also watch the celebration on the Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam.
There is no officially announced theme for Qing Bao’s birthday party at this time. That being said, the Zoo held a shark-themed birthday bash for Bao Li’s 5th birthday in August, referencing the “shark fin” of longer fur running down his back.
So while no creative theme or elaborate party setup has been announced yet, there is still a chance that might change.
None the less, there will be a very panda-appropriate birthday moment at the exhibit — and Qing Bao’s custom frozen fruit cake should be the star of the show.
Is it going to be free to attend?
Yes, admission to the National Zoo is free, including for Qing Bao’s birthday celebration.
The Zoo notes that donations are welcome, but there is no admission fee for visitors.
You will still need a free entry pass, which the Zoo requires for visitors of all ages. If you plan to drive, however, parking is not free.
- Zoo admission: Free
- Parking purchased at least one day ahead: $30 per vehicle
- Parking purchased the day of your visit: $40 per vehicle
The Zoo recommends purchasing parking in advance because parking is limited and can sell out.
For anyone hoping to catch Qing Bao’s birthday moment, 9 am is the key time to remember. And given that the event is free, it could be an especially fun weekend outing for panda-loving families looking for something to do in D.C.
