Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

500 Wildlife Parway, Columbia, SC

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

500 Wildlife Parway, Columbia, SC

planyourevent.riverbanks.org

Capacity: 5,000 people

About Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, located in Columbia and home to more than 2,000 magnificent animals, is considered one of South Carolina’s most unique venues to host a corporate or social event. Riverbanks offers unique venues that leave a lasting impression. While guests attend your event, they get to experience the beauty and excitement of the zoo's residents and plant life. Our spaces are versatile in style and appearance, with capacities ranging from 25 guests to 5,000. Catering is provided in-house by an event-specialist caterer and a portion of their proceeds are donated towards animal conservation.

Event Pricing

Children's Birthday Party Package

Attendees: 20-40 | Deposit is Required | Pricing is for parties only

More Info

Attendees: 20-40 | $36 /person
Pricing for parties only

$36

Per Person

More Info

Picnic Packages

Attendees: 100-5000 | Pricing is for parties only

More Info

Attendees: 100-5000 | $41 - $44 /person
Pricing for parties only

$41 - $44

Per Person

More Info

Meeting Package

Attendees: 25-300 | Deposit is Required | Pricing is for meetings only

More Info

Attendees: 25-300 | $84 - $94 /person
Pricing for meetings only

$84 - $94

Per Person

More Info

Event Spaces

Magnolia Room

Maximum Capacity: 350
General Event Space

See Details

Magnolia Room

Click to Hide

General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 350

The Botanical Garden at Riverbanks Zoo is one of South Carolina’s most breathtaking and picturesque spaces to host a private event. The Magnolia Room is nestled within the beautiful Walled Garden that boasts views of stately fountains, cascading waters, and seasonal flowers. The room’s French doors open out onto bricked terraces, which create an indoor to outdoor flow of your event. In-house tables, chairs, set up, clean up and an event supervisor are included. Magnolia’s indoor Room is available during Zoo hours (9a-5p) as well as after Zoo hours. For evening events, the use of the outdoor patios is available.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 150 People

Banquet - 8 per
Capacity: 100 People

Reception
Capacity: 350 People

Amenities

Dance Floor
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Ndoki Lodge

Maximum Capacity: 500
General Event Space

See Details

Ndoki Lodge

Click to Hide

General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 500

For daytime and evening events, the Ndoki Lodge offers a rustic charm with its warm color scheme, stately high beam ceilings and panoramic views of a scenic treetop canopy. Due to its convenient placement, adjacent to a few of our Zoo residents’, your guests have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of these wild inhabitants in action! In-house tables, chairs, set up, clean up and an event supervisor are included. For events held after Zoo hours (9a-5p), use of Ndoki’s outdoor patio is available at no additional cost, providing an indoor and outdoor flow to your event.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 200 People

Classroom - 30"
Capacity: 100 People

Reception
Capacity: 500 People

Theater
Capacity: 300 People

Amenities

Dance Floor
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Park Buy-out

Outdoor Venue

See Details

Park Buy-out

Click to Hide

Outdoor Venue

For a minimum of 500 guests, Riverbanks is proud of offer exclusive evening access of the Zoo itself! Excluding only the Botanical Gardens, guests will have 3 hours to enjoy 20 acres of exotic animals, attractions, and an event space for gathering as the sun sets. A minimum catering spend, that is dependent upon guest numbers, is required. What is included: • 3 Hours of Access (1hr after Zoo closes) • Use of Safari Camp Shelter as a ‘base’ • Animal Enclosures (weather dependant) • The ARCC (Aquarium-Reptile Conservation Center) • Sea Lion Landing • The Birdhouse • The Petting Farm • The Carousel • Zoo Personnel

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Safari Camp

Maximum Capacity: 800
General Event Space

See Details

Safari Camp

Click to Hide

General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 800

Located in the heart of the Zoo close to Riverbanks Farm, Safari Camp is a purpose-built shelter designed for corporate and social events. During Zoo hours, the pavilion is most popular for corporate picnics, family reunions and birthday parties. By night, Safari Camp can be transformed into a chic event space ideal for college formals, product launches, holiday parties, and much, much more! Additional tenting enhancement options are available. Picnic tables (if app.), set up, clean up and an event manager are included.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 450 People

Reception
Capacity: 800 People

Theater
Capacity: 700 People

Amenities

Dance Floor
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

The ARCC

Maximum Capacity: 200
Alternate Venue

See Details

The ARCC

Click to Hide

Alternate Venue | Maximum Capacity: 200

Our newly renovated ARCC (Aquarium Reptile Conservation Center) is the prime place to celebrate any occasion. Guests can grab a cocktail from the boardwalk on their way in, then trek through the desert and wind their way from land to sea in an immersive journey with new discoveries around every turn. Floor to ceiling views of reptiles and amphibians, along with sights from under the sea including a wall of moon jellyfish, provides a one-of-a-kind atmosphere for event guests to experience. The ARCC is available for private events one hour after the Zoo closes and includes tables, chairs, set up, clean up and an event supervisor.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 50 People

Reception
Capacity: 200 People

Amenities

Full Bar/Lounge
Waterview
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Number of Green Rooms: 1

The Birdhouse

Maximum Capacity: 175
Alternate Venue

See Details

The Birdhouse

Click to Hide

Alternate Venue | Maximum Capacity: 175

Being one of the premier indoor bird exhibitors in the country, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden’s Birdhouse gives your event guests the unique experience of partying amongst some of our resident feathered friends. Elegant Caribbean flamingos greet your guests as they enter under a grand wooden pergola – creating a breathtaking first impression. Upon entering, a sky-lit atrium with high ceilings and towering trees offers a perfect, open space for seated tables, food stations, or a bar. Socializing and networking have never been more fun while in the company of penguins, hornbills, and other exotic birds! The Birdhouse is available for private events one hour after the Zoo closes and includes tables, chairs, set up, clean up and an event supervisor.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 50 People

Reception
Capacity: 175 People

Amenities

Full Bar/Lounge
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Tuskers

Maximum Capacity: 250
General Event Space

See Details

Tuskers

Click to Hide

General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 250

After Zoo hours, Riverbanks Zoo’s daytime flagship restaurant, ‘Tuskers’, can be transformed into a charming event facility. This space features bamboo cloud lighting, a stone fireplace, panoramic windows, and a deck overlooking a few creatures close by. Available from 8p-12a each night, Tuskers comes with bistro tables and chairs, set up, clean up, and an event supervisor.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 145 People

Reception
Capacity: 250 People

Theater
Capacity: 160 People

Amenities

Dance Floor
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Recommendations

Great place for a wedding - An Eventective User from Chapin, SC

Beautiful venue with plenty of room. Food was very good. Bride & Groom are very pleased

Great Experience - An Eventective User from West Columbia, SC

I had a surprise 60th birthday party for my dad and it was amazing! The venue was beautiful, the event staff was super helpful and friendly, and the event planner, Kathleen, was an absolute dream to work with. It was expensive but the food was delicious and I couldn't have asked for a better experience for my out of town guests, especially those who had never been to the zoo before.

dream come true reception Awesome - An Eventective User from Lexington, SC

Working with McKenzie Roland at the zoo was the most pleasant and stress free situation. Mr, Roland is outstanding. The catering staff rocked and the food was to die for.. Riverbanks complete set up was perfect. I strongly recommend this venue to anyone who wants to have a perfect celebration. All of our guest were so impressed. God bless

Write A Recommendation

Venue Types

Amenities

ADA/ACA Accessible
Full Bar/Lounge
Fully Equipped Kitchen
On-Site Catering Service
Outdoor Function Area
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Max Number of People for an Event: 5000
Number of Event/Function Spaces: 7
Year Renovated: 2015

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

About Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Event Pricing

Event Spaces

Recommendations

Quick Links

Plan An Event

Market My Business