Lincoln Children's Zoo offers a variety of exciting and interactive events. Check back often to see what the Zoo has in store for 2019!
April
April 13 & 20: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
8 - 10 a.m.
Join the Easter Bunny for breakfast at the Zoo! This event includes exclusive early access to the Zoo, breakfast buffet, Easter egg hunt, photo time with the Easter Bunny, activities and special animal meet and greets. All proceeds from this event help care for the Zoo’s animals.
SOLD OUT
April 19, 20 & 21: Earth Day & Party for the Planet
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Zoo! Say hello to your favorite animal friends and watch a show on the Animal Encounter Stage.
May
May 9: Zoo Closed
The Zoo will be closed May 9 to prepare for the grand opening of giraffes, tigers and spider monkeys. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
May 10: Expansion Grand Opening
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Come say hi our new baby giraffes, tigers and spider monkeys!
May 18: Zoo Fun Run
Race begins at 10 a.m.
It's the wildest kids race in town! This FREE, one mile race starts at 10 a.m. and all runners receive a free train ride. Have lunch at Safari Café and stay to see how a real fire truck works, go inside a police car, plus other great surprises. This race is organized by Lincoln Fire and Rescue.
Register
May 17: Endangered Species Day
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Presented by Lower Platte South Natural Resources District
Visit all of the endangered species that call the Zoo home!
May 25 - 27: Memorial Day Weekend
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Zoo is open all weekend! Come visit all of your favorite animals and join us for the season opening of Laura's Butterfly Pavilion! Check out over 150 butterflies at one of the Zoo's most popular summer stops.
June
June 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th : Wild Wednesday
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Presented by Wilderness Station Pediatric Dentistry
The Zoo opens at 10 a.m. and stays open late 'til 8 p.m. every Wednesday in June, July & August. Every Wednesday the Zoo will feature special animal demonstrations on the Animal Encounter Stage!
June 8: World Oceans Day
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Presented by Lower Platte South Natural Resources District
Celebrate World Oceans Day and visit animals at the Zoo that are from an ocean or habitat near the ocean!
June 15: Train Birthday Party
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Presented by Kidwell
Celebrate the 55th Birthday of ZO&O Railroad. Each hour we will randomly select a child to be our kid conductor on the train. Train rides will be $2 all day! Plus, see model trains provided by the Lincoln Area Railway Historical Society.
June 22: Brews at the Zoo featuring Loose Affiliation
6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
It's time for adults 21 and over to enjoy some tasty craft beers and amazing music at the Zoo! This year's event features live music by Loose Affiliation and craft beers from Zipline Brewery, Empyrean Ales, Thunderhead Brewing, Lucky Bucket Brewing and more! Beer brats and burgers will be available for purchase during the event.
July
July 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st: Wild Wednesday
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Presented by Wilderness Station Pediatric Dentistry
The Zoo opens at 10 a.m. and stays open late 'til 8 p.m. every Wednesday in June, July & August. Every Wednesday the Zoo will feature special animal demonstrations on the Animal Encounter Stage!
July 13: Brews at the Zoo featuring Flannel Channel
6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
It's time for adults 21 and over to enjoy some tasty craft beers and amazing music at the Zoo! This year's event features live music by Flannel Channel and craft beers from Zipline Brewery, Empyrean Ales, Thunderhead Brewing, Lucky Bucket Brewing and more! Beer brats and burgers will be available for purchase during the event.
July 15 - 21: National Zookeeper Week
We are celebrating National Zookeeper Week! All of the Zookeepers at the Zoo spend countless hours giving our animals the best care. Next time you see one of them, be sure to tell them thanks and stop by The Hive to write them a letter!
August
August 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th: Wild Wednesday
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Presented by Wilderness Station Pediatric Dentistry
The Zoo opens at 10 a.m. and stays open late 'til 8 p.m. every Wednesday in June, July & August. Every Wednesday the Zoo will feature special animal demonstrations on the Animal Encounter Stage!
August 10: Brews at the Zoo featuring AM/FM Lincoln
6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
It's time for adults 21 and over to enjoy some tasty craft beers and amazing music at the Zoo! This year's event features live music by AM/FM Lincoln and craft beers from Zipline Brewery, Empyrean Ales, Thunderhead Brewing, Lucky Bucket Brewing and more! Beer brats and burgers will be available for purchase during the event.
August 24: Red Panda Run
Race Begins at 8 a.m. | Presented by Ehlers Animal Care
The Red Panda Run is a family fun run that starts at 8 a.m. and is great for any age! After you cross the finish line inside the Zoo, you can explore and meet over 400 animals that live there! Participants will receive a Red Panda Run t-shirt, medal and admission to the Zoo for the day.
September
Senior Discount Days: Every Tuesday and Thursday in September
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Senior citizens (62 and older) receive half price admission every Tuesday and Thursday in the month of September.
August 31st through September 2nd: Labor Day Weekend
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Zoo is open all weekend! Come visit all of your favorite animals and visit Laura's Butterfly Pavilion one last time before it closes for the season.
September 8: Grandparents Day
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Presented by Complete Hearing
Celebrate Grandparents Day with one free admission for grandpa and grandma all day! Grandparents must be accompanied by a grandchild to receive free admission.
September 11th and 25th: Member Extra Hours
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Lincoln Children's Zoo members get exclusive extra hours from 9 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Plus, take advantage of great perks including free cookies from Runza for the first 1,000 members, giveaways for children and additional Animal Encounter shows! The Zoo is open to non-members 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
September 14: Breakfast with the Penguins
8 - 10 a.m.
This is your chance to feed a penguin! Your ticket includes a breakfast buffet, printed event photo and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feed the Zoo's penguins!
September 28: Breakfast with the Penguins
8 - 10 a.m.
This is your chance to feed a penguin! Your ticket includes a breakfast buffet, printed event photo and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feed the Zoo's penguins!
October
October 2: Sensory Safari
10 a.m. - Noon
Visually and sensory impaired guests will have the opportunity to touch, feel, hear, and smell at interpretative stations located throughout the Zoo. Nature experts from organizations across Nebraska will engage visitors at each station. Sensory Safari is possible through a partnership with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
October 26 - 30: Boo at the Zoo
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Boo at the Zoo is Lincoln's largest trick-or-treat event. The entire family will love stopping at over 40 trick-or-treat booths to get candy, coupons, and more. All of the money raised during Boo at the Zoo directly supports the Zoo and its animals.
