Zoovies

Zoovies has been rescheduled for Friday, October 3 from 5pm-9pm due to the forecasted thunderstorms during set up and event hours. Our guests’ safety and experience is important to us, so all attendee tickets will automatically be transferred to the new date.  

If you cannot attend the rescheduled event date or have any questions, please call 757-441-2374 ext. 241 and leave a voicemail for a staff member to get back to you. We recognize this change will not work for all of our guests, so if you require a refund, please make your request via voicemail at the listed phone number and extension no later than Monday, September 29 at 4pm. Please note, we cannot accommodate requests made after this date and time. Requests MUST be made to the listed phone number and extension.

We thank you for your understanding and can’t wait to enjoy a magical Zoovies with you on October 3!

Lumos, camera, action! 📽️ Slither in to the Virginia Zoo to experience the magic of the wizarding world at Zoovies: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on Friday, September 26^th from 5-9pm! No need to cast any spells – gates open at 5:00pm and the movie starts at 6:30pm. It’s sure to be a magical night filled with tasty treats and a spellbinding movie under the stars!  

NEW this year:  

• Pleasant potions (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options)
• Fantastical beasts – Zoo trails open til 6:30pm
• A Wizarding Market – featuring small local businesses and the Zoo’s Gift Shop
• & more!

Don’t forget to dress up in your most whimsical wizard costumes! 

No outside food or beverages are permitted. Chairs & blankets welcome, but please be mindful of blocking the view of surrounding guests. Seating will not be provided. No new admission purchases are permitted after 8:00pm.

The Virginia Zoo is committed to being an inclusive and welcoming space for all. While we celebrate the joy and connection inspired by the Harry Potter universe, we do not condone or support any discriminatory or harmful views expressed by its creators or contributors. 

Event Map

Activities

Activities included with your ticket

• 5 – 6:30pm: Full Zoo access and Goat Yard open with themed trails
  • Gryffindor – African Safari Trail
  • Ravenclaw – Asia Aviary
  • Slytherin – World of Reptiles
  • Hufflepuff – Asis: Trail of the Tiger
• 5 – 7pm: 9 ¾ Platform photo op at the Virginia Zoo Express train station
• 5:15 – 5:45pm: Animal Ambassador Greeter in Zoo front entrance
• Activity tables in the Event Pavilion
  • Pin the nose on Voldemort
  • Sort our animals into their house
  • Vote for your favorite house at the table in the Event Pavilion and the Virginia Zoo will make a donation to the correlating conservation organization of the winning house!
    • Gryffindor – Lion Recovery Fund
    • Ravenclaw – African Vulture SAFE
    • Hufflepuff – Elizabeth River Project
    • Slytherin – Eastern Indigo Snake SAFE

Activities available for an additional cost ($)

• 5 – 7pm: Virginia Zoo Express train rides ($)
• 5 – 9pm: Virginia Zoo Gift Shop Kiosk open in Event Pavilion with themed merch ($):
  • Harry Slother t-shirts
  • Owl, lion, badger, eagle, and snake plushes
  • Blankets and towels
  • Goblets
  • Buy one themed merch item, get one free train ride good through 12/31/25! (One ticket per merch item purchased.)
• Community Organizations
  • Virginia Symphony Orchestra
• Fairy hair by Tinseltown 757 ($)
• Harry Potter themed vendor market ($):
  • Tumbeezy Cookies
  • Pop Roxie
  • Decay Decor
  • Izzy’s Apothecary
  • Better Than Your Bandana
  • Lavender Designs
  • Trotting Fox Creations
  • Coastal Chic VB
  • Chaos 3D

Harry Potter themed plushes and goblets available in the Virginia Zoo Gift Shop. (Buy one themed merch item, get one free train ride good through 12/31/25)

Food & Drinks (extra cost)

• Food Trucks ($)
  • P.O. Folks Southern Cuisine 
  • Cast Iron Catering
  • The Creamery
• Snack bar in Event Pavilion ($)
  • Hot dogs, popcorn, candy
• Virginia Zoo Specialty Cocktails (while supplies last) at the Event Pavilion Bar: All drinks will be served in a 12 oz cup, $10 per drink.
  • Butter Beer: Cream Soda, Butter and Caramel Extracts, Whipped Topping with Butterscotch Drizzle
    • (Added alcohol option for 21+: Buttershots Schnapps)
  • Polyjuice Potion: Sprite, Ginger Ale, Lime Sherbet, Edible Shimmer, Natural Green Coloring with Whipped Topping
    • (Added alcohol option for 21+: Smirnoff Vodka)

💲Ticket Prices💲

Member pre-sale beginning 8/15, public tickets on sale starting 8/22.

Please note, prices may increase as the event date nears, so don’t wait — early birds get the best deal!

🪄 Member Adult (18+): $5*

🪄 Member Child (2-17): $5*

🪄 Non-Member Adult (12+): $11

🪄 Non-Member Child (2-11): $8

🪄 Children under 2 are free but require a ticket reservation

*To guarantee entry to select seasonal events with limited capacity, members are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance. For this event, a $5 per-member reservation fee will be charged. Upon arrival, members will receive a $5 voucher redeemable at the Zoo Snack Bar, Zoo Gift Shop, or on the Virginia Zoo Express train. Vouchers are not valid at food trucks or vendor market booths.

Event Reminders

• Limited number of tickets available. Advance ticket sales end when sold out (get yours early!). If tickets remain on the day of the event, gate sales may be limited to credit card transactions only.
• Tickets are non-refundable. All sales are final. Should a ticket holder be unable to attend the event, the purchase will be considered a donation.
• As an outdoor venue, events are rain or shine unless otherwise indicated. If any changes are made, an announcement via an email to our members and/or ticket holders and on the Virginia Zoo social media channels will be issued prior the event.
• The Zoo is a smoke-free facility; no smoking is allowed inside the Zoo. This also includes e-cigarettes and vaping. Inability to follow this rule will result in dismissal from Zoo grounds without a refund.
• By purchasing an event ticket, you agree to abide by the Virginia Zoo’s Rules & Policies.