Denver Zoo: Visitors: Events

There's always something new at the zoo! Mark your calendar for our special public events and membership events below. Also check out the daily schedule of fun, interactive events, including special shows and animal demonstrations.

2008 is the Year of The Frog!

Denver Zoo will be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 19 to prepare the zoo for the annual Do At The Zoo fundraising gala being held that evening. Regular summer hours will continue Friday, June 20.

Flying WILD
May 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fly to Denver Zoo for this annual celebration of the feathery kind during Flying Wild. Birds are migrating back to the zoo and you should too. This is the perfect opportunity to learn all about the birds that call Denver Zoo home, go bird watching and get nose to beak with some of the zoo’s resident flying fowl. Fly on over to our discovery stations to learn how you can help birds. Activities free with admission.

Interpretive Station: Beaks That Fit the Bill - Bird Propagation Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The shapes and sizes of a bird beak can tell you so much about the bird, what they may eat, how it may acquire food, and other purposes the beaks serve. By looking at the various shapes and sizes, guests will be able to determine their functions.

Interpretive Station: Up, Up and Away - Bird Propagation Center,10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn about adaptations which birds have which allow them to fly.

Interpretive Station: What Makes a Bird a Bird - Bird Propagation Center10 a.m. – 4 p.m. While there are more than ten thousand species across the globe, they all have shared common traits unique to birds. Compare and contrast the wide-ranging similarities and differences of bird feathers, eggs, beaks, wings and feet.

Members’ Mother’s Day Brunch - Event is sold out!
Sunday, May 11, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Brunch served at 8 a.m.

$25 for adults
$15 for children

Get Mom out of the house and into the wild for a special Mother’s Day Brunch, May 11! Join Denver Zoo for our annual Mother’s Day celebration as we serve a delicious brunch al fresco in a unique setting that only the zoo can provide. Arrive at 8 am for early entrance into the zoo and get a sneak peak of Denver Zoo’s newest mothers before the gates open to the general public.

NEW THIS YEAR! Dine in the unique setting of Primate Panorama. Mom will go ape for this new experience. Seating is limited and is first come first serve, so get here early!

Give mom the full zoo treatment with a gift from another mother of the wild kind. For a $50 fee, mothers will receive the morning brunch and a Wild Impression package featuring a paw print of a Denver Zoo mother.

ZOOmily Fairy Tales and Fables Contest – great prizes! Enter by May 15!
Families don’t have to wait for ZOOmily to get into character - Denver Zoo wants to hear your "green" fables today! Pick your favorite animal fairy tale or fable and put an eco-friendly spin on it! Would The Frog Prince sweep his princess away to a protected wetland castle? Would the Big Bad Wolf go vegetarian? Instead of being frightened, would Miss Muffet invite her spider friend to share her curds and whey, and then teach her schoolmates about the important role spiders play in our ecosystem? She might! If chosen, your story will be performed as a skit at ZOOmily on August 9, with you and your family making a special appearance on stage! The winning family will also receive a special behind-the-scenes animal encounter.

E-mail your fairy tale to edsupport@denverzoo.org or send your re-written masterpiece by May 15 to:

ZOOmily Fairy Tales and Fables Contest
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele Street
Denver, CO 80205

Learn more about ZOOmily!

Movement Ecology and Population Dynamics of Endangered Grevy’s Zebra - Dr. Siva Sundaresan
May 20, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Gates Wildlife Conservation Education Center - Denver Zoo
Lecture is free. Reservations required.

Come learn about the highly endangered and unique striped horse, the Grevy’s Zebra. Dr. Siva Sundaresan will speak about his current work on a project examining Grevy’s zebras and lion interactions in the Likipia District of Kenya. Sundaresan has been working with Princeton University and Denver Zoo on this project to discover how these animals interact with local livestock as well as its natural predator, the lion. Space is limited, please RSVP to 303-376-6729 to reserve your seat.

Members' Night: Summer Preview Party
Thursday, May 22, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Free for Denver Zoo Members – Advance registration required

Start your Memorial Day weekend off with a roar, snort, trumpet and whistle! Get nose to snout with some of Denver Zoo’s residents at a Wild Encounter, hop on a hippo or wrangle a rhino on the conservation carousel, visit the goats of Denver Zoo’s African farm the Kraal and be one of the first to experience some of Denver Zoo’s newest shows and animal demonstrations during Members’ Night: Summer Preview Party.
Members’ Night Summer Preview Party is a free exclusive event for Denver Zoo Members. To learn more about the benefits of being a Denver Zoo Member click here.

Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the Zoo experience. Members who bring a guest will receive a $5 coupon for the purchase of their next membership and guests will receive a $10 coupon towards a new membership.

Advance registration required. Reserve tickets online now! For more information or to register call 303-376-4878.

Activities Include:

Morning Photography at Denver Zoo

Check back Spring and Summer 2008

Join us for an early morning photography session long before the zoo opens to the public at Denver Zoo with staff photographer Dave Parsons in the spring and summer of 2008. (Rain or shine, tickets are non-refundable)

Get the morning light on a variety of animals including bighorn sheep, arctic wolves, harbor seals, eagles and many more! In addition to the early entry to the zoo, participants can enjoy an exclusive close-up photo session of macaws and raptors.

June Members' Breakfast
Sunday, June 1
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
$10 for early admission and meal.

Have breakfast with the beasts at Denver Zoo and watch animals start their morning routines and keepers prepare for a busy day before the zoo opens to the general public. Meet some of Denver Zoo’s animal residents up close and personal while learning more about them at hands on interpretive stations and make a beastly craft to take home.

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

When your guest buys a zoo membership during the Member's Breakfast, you will receive a $5 coupon good toward your next renewal and your guest will receive $10 off their new membership!

Advance registration required. Purchase tickets online now! For more information or to register call 303-376-4878

June Members' Mid-Week Walk
Wednesday, June 11
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
$3 for early admission

Get your pulse racing and put your mind at ease with a mid-week morning walk on the wild side. Watch animals start their morning routines and keepers prepare for a busy day while striding through the zoo before it opens to the general public.

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

When your guest buys a zoo membership during your morning walk, you will receive a $5 coupon good toward your next renewal and your guest will receive $10 off their new membership!

Fathers' Day Bar B Que
Sunday, June 15
6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Dinner served at 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
$10 for admission and meal

He’s the wise old owl when you have a question, he makes you laugh like a hyena with his corny jokes and he blushed the first time you asked about the birds and the bees. Dads are interesting creatures! Treat your father like the king of the jungle and take him to the zoo for a special Father’s Day Bar B Que featuring live animal demonstrations and food sure to please the hungriest of beasts.

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

Advance registration required. Purchase tickets online now! For more information or to register call 303-376-4878

Silk and Spice
Thursday, June 19
6:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Dress is Tropical Chic (Cocktail attire with a tropical twist)

BOOK YOUR PASSAGE NOW - BUY TICKETS

No guests under 21 years of age will be admitted (including infants)

Book your passage to the land of silk and spice for a night of celebration, preservation and jubilation benefiting Asian elephants. Dine on exotic dishes from around the city, while toasting spirits from around the world. Experience music, dancing and close-up animal encounters in the incomparable setting of Denver Zoo at twilight. BUY TICKETS NOW or learn more.

Denver Zoo Members Tickets:
$150 Individual Ticket

Non-Members Tickets:
$125 Junior Ticket (ages 21-29)
$175 Individual Ticket

Patron Tickets:
$275 Patron Ticket

Do at the Zoo Presented by:

July Members' Breakfast
Sunday, July 13
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
$10 for early admission and meal.

Have breakfast with the beasts at Denver Zoo and watch animals start their morning routines and keepers prepare for a busy day before the zoo opens to the general public.

Meet some of Denver Zoo’s animal residents up close and personal while learning more about them at hands on interpretive stations and make a beastly craft to take home.

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

When your guest buys a zoo membership during the July Member's Breakfast, you will receive a $5 coupon good toward your next renewal and your guest will receive $10 off their new membership!

Advance registration required. Purchase tickets online now! For more information or to register call 303-376-4878

July Members' Mid-Week Walk
Wednesday, July 16
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
$3 for early admission

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

When your guest buys a zoo membership during your morning walk, you will receive a $5 coupon good toward your next renewal and your guest will receive $10 off their new membership!

Members' Ice Cream Social
Thursday, July 31
6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
$5 for admission, includes ice cream sundae bar

What better place to enjoy a good, old-fashioned ice cream social than Denver Zoo? Join us Thursday, July 24 from 6:30 – 9 pm to celebrate summer, with animal demonstrations, interactive interpretive stations and zoo-li-cous sundaes! This is the perfect time to beat the summer heat and enjoy an evening after hours with the residents at Denver Zoo! Chill out with the polar bears at Northern Shores or have a splashing good time with the Sea Lions. Bring a picnic or purchase food at one of the Zoo’s concessions.

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

When your guest buys a zoo membership, you will receive a $5 coupon good toward your next renewal and your guest will receive $10 off their new membership!

Advance registration required. Purchase tickets online now! For more information or to register call 303-376-4878

ZOOmily: Frogs, Fables and Family Fun

Presented by:

Saturday, August 9 6:30-9 p.m.
$15 per member or $55 for a family 4-pack
$18 per non-member or $65 for a family 4-pack

Once upon a time, there was a magical night full of animal fables, costumed characters, live animals and family fun…What would happen if your favorite fairy tales and animal fables went “green”? Would The Frog Prince sweep his princess away to a protected wetland castle? Would the Big Bad Wolf go vegetarian? Instead of being frightened, would Miss Muffet invite her spider friend to share her curds and whey, and then teach her schoolmates about the important role spiders play in our ecosystem? She might!

Plan to join us for the family event of the year! Look for more ZOOmily details, including once-in-a-lifetime animal experiences, fairy tale feasts, costume contests and oodles of family fun in the next issue of On the Wild Side. Proceeds from the event benefit the Red Apple Fund, a Denver Zoo scholarship fund that subsidizes admission, program fees and transportation for low-income groups and families.

Have breakfast with the beasts at Denver Zoo and watch animals start their morning routines and keepers prepare for a busy day before the zoo opens to the general public.

Meet some of Denver Zoo’s animal residents up close and personal while learning more about them at hands on interpretive stations and make a beastly craft to take home.

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

When your guest buys a zoo membership during the Member's Breakfast, you will receive a $5 coupon good toward your next renewal and your guest will receive $10 off their new membership!

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

When your guest buys a zoo membership during your morning walk, you will receive a $5 coupon good toward your next renewal and your guest will receive $10 off their new membership!

Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too
Presented by:

September 5, 6:30- 10 p.m. Adults 21 and over.

Join the creatures of the night at Denver Zoo for an evening of beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres sampling at the 11th annual Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too! Guests can enjoy food and drinks from more than 50 of Colorado's finest breweries and restaurants, music and dancing at the zoo after-dusk, while raising funds for the zoo's Red Apple Fund for life long learning. Cost of admission to be announced.

Join Denver Zoo for a wild safari trek through the zoo during Senior Zoofari. Visitors ages 65 an older will receive free admission all day. Guests will enjoy activities stations and strolling through the zoo for animal viewing. Stop by our senior resource booths to see how you can get involved with the zoo. Activities free with admission.

Have breakfast with the beasts at Denver Zoo and watch animals start their morning routines and keepers prepare for a busy day before the zoo opens to the general public.

Meet some of Denver Zoo’s animal residents up close and personal while learning more about them at a hands on interpretive station and make a beastly craft to take home.

Members and their guests only. Advance registration required.
Don’t forget to bring a friend and share the zoo experience!

When your guest buys a zoo membership during the Breakfast Walk, you will receive a $5 coupon good toward your next renewal and your guest will receive $10 off their new membership!

Purchase tickets online now! For more information or to register call 303-376-4878

Wildlife Film Festival
Presented by:

September 19 & 20, Times TBD

Join Denver Zoo for a film festival like no other! The Wildlife Film Festival will include award winning nature films for families and adults. A portion of proceeds will go to Denver Zoo’s conservation and education efforts. Cost of admission to be announced.

Sponsored by:

Visit Denver Zoo for a fun and festive night exclusively for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and their families. Participate in live animal encounters, cool crafts and hands-on activities that help meet badge requirements for Brownie Girl Scouts, Junior Girl Scouts, and Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos levels of Cub Scouts. All Scouts will receive a special Denver Zoo Scout Night patch. Cost of admission to be announced.

Denver Zoo’s 24th annual “Boo at the Zoo” steadily approaches so get your costumes ready. This year’s theme encourages children to be a hero for the planet and dress up as their favorite superhero while they learn about several ways they can help the environment. Trick-or-treaters visiting more than 30 trick-or-treat stations can enjoy close encounters with the creepy kind, viewing vampire bats, reptiles, spiders and Denver Zoo’s other creatures. Activities free with admission.

Where wildlife meets wildlights! Zoo Lights displays millions of sparkling lights, featuring glittering trees and animated animal light sculptures! Holiday entertainment, music, warming stations and refreshments make this event an annual family treat. Admission is $8 for ages 12-64, $6 for adults over 65, $4 for children 3-11 and free for those 2 and under.