The Living Desert welcomes a newborn giraffe. — Photo courtesy of The Living Desert

Newborn animals and a month filled with festivities are setting the mood for an exciting spring at The Living Desert, a Palm Springs area zoo and nature preserve that showcases desert animals from around the world. While The Living Desert is always a favorite destination among visitors of all ages, the zoo is hosting two fun-filled events in the coming weeks: its annual family-friendly Easter celebration and an evening of beer, wine and food during Brew at the Zoo. Plus, the sight of the zoo’s newly born giraffe is sure to delight guests of all ages.

The Living Desert’s most recent addition joined the zoo on March 28th, weighing in at a whopping 128 pounds and standing 5 foot and 9 inches. Guests will be able to see the calf as he joins the herd this month. You could even have a shot at naming the newborn through an upcoming eBay auction.

The young giraffe has some growing to do. — Photo courtesy of The Living Desert

If you have the kids in town this Easter, you’ll want to make plans to visit The Living Desert not just to see the baby giraffe but also for a day filled with Easter eggs, entertainment and animals – both costumed and live. The Easter Bunny and his pals will take over The Living Desert on April 19th and 20th for the zoo's annual Easter Eggstravaganza, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days.

The zoo's Easter parade, a variety of themed crafts and live music are all included with park admission. The kiddos will also get a chance to hunt for their share of 10,000 Easter eggs, between getting their faces painted and going for a jump or two in the bounce houses.

Kids can hunt for their share of 10,000 Easter eggs during The Living Desert's Easter Eggstravaganza. — Photo courtesy of The Living Desert

Need a little more adult-oriented fun? The Living Desert has you covered on May 3rd, when the zoo becomes a playground for the young-at-heart during the annual Brew at the Zoo. This spirited evening turns The Living Desert into a showcase of beers, wines and appetizers, with more than 45 breweries, wineries and local restaurants setting up tasting tents throughout the park.

You can indulge in good conscious, too, as the evening is a fundraiser that benefits the zoo's animals, nature reserve and scholarship programs. Live music and animal encounters add to the fun of this after-dark event, held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $55 for non-members through May 2rd, and that includes 10 drink tickets and 10 food tickets, usually more than enough to enjoy a filling range of the evening's offerings. Leave the kids at home for this one, though: this booze-themed evening is a 21-and-over event.

If you’re planning on visiting the park this summer, keep in mind that The Living Desert switches to its shortened summer hours on June 1st. Through September 30th, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Throughout the rest of the year, The Living Desert is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.