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May 17 @ 9:30 am – 2:00 pm EDT

Celebrate Earth Day the WILD way by joining our Party for the Planet! 🥳 🌎 Get inspired to take environmental action not just on Earth Day, but every day. Greet Animal Ambassadors, purchase stunning plants from our horticulture staff, prepare browse enrichment for our animals, hear from community partners about how they make a difference for our planet, and much more!

Party for the Planet is North America’s largest combined Earth Day celebration, with over 120 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facilities participating in the fun. You won’t want to miss these terra-ific festivities here at the Virginia Zoo! 🌿

THIS EVENT IS FREE WITH YOUR GENERAL ZOO ADMISSION AND TAKES PLACE RAIN OR SHINE!

Purchase Zoo Tickets Here

Event Map

Activities

  • 9:30am – 10am: Animal Ambassador Greeters
  • 10:30am: GreenBeats Performance in the Event Pavilion
  • 12:30pm – 2pm: Browse Party in the Event Field
  • 1pm – 1:30pm: Animal Ambassador Greeters
  • 1pm: GreenBeats Performance in the Event Pavilion
  • Plant Sale with the Virginia Zoo’s Horticulture Department

Community Vendors

  • Elizabeth River Trail Foundation
  • Nauticus
  • Norfolk Master Gardeners
  • Norfolk Public Library
  • Teens with a Purpose
  • Tidewater Master Naturalists
  • Virginia Living Museum
  • Virginia Herpetological Society
  • Tidewater Compost 
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden
  • Tidewater Rehabilitation and Environmental Education
  • Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
  • 757 Creative Reuse Center
  • Local Energy Alliance Program – LEAP VA
  • Keep Norfolk Beautiful
  • Norfolk Environmental Commission
  • Scouting America

Food & Drink ($)

  • Zion’s Kuisine – Plant-based Food Pop Up
  • African Village Restaurant
  • Beastro
  • Mini Melts