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August 3 @ 9:30 am – 2:00 pm EDT

We are closing out the summer with one last celebration at our Back to School Event on Saturday, August 3rd from 9:30 am – 2:00 pm at the Virginia Zoo! This event will be the last chance to donate to our summer-long School Supplies Donation Drive supporting our partner organizations Big Homies Inc and Reck League(see more details here & how to enter to win some WILD prizes!), as well as a chance to check out some local community organizations.

In addition to lots of Zoo-themed activities for the whole family to enjoy, we will be hosting a book fair featuring the Norfolk Public Library and other local bookshops! It’s the perfect way to squeeze a little last-minute fun out of the summer and get in that back-to-school mindset!

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

Purchase Zoo tickets here!

Event Map

Activities

  • 9:30 – 10:15am: Animal Ambassador greeters in the Fountain Plaza
  • 9:30am – 2:00pm: Full Zoo access
  • 12pm-2pm: Cities United Youth Basketball Game in parking lot with Big Homies Inc and Reck League
  • 1:00 – 1:45pm: Animal Ambassador greeters in the Fountain Plaza
  • Book Fair in the Event Pavilion including:
    • The Violet Fox Bookshop
    • The Lit Garage
    • Norfolk Public Library
    • Book Exchange
    • Wand’s Books
    • Reach Reads 
  • Browse Party in Event Pavilion
  • Animal Enrichment table in Event Pavilion
  • DJ in the Event Field
  • Bounce houses in the Event Field (additional cost)
  • Train Rides (additional cost)

Community Vendors

  • Big Homies Inc and Reck League
  • Seniors Aging Gracefully
  • Cox Communications
  • Colley Community Center
  • Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast
  • ForKids
  • Sam’s Club
  • Lifted Wellness 757
  • Virginia Department of Health
  • YMCA
  • Foodbank of SEVA
  • Hampton Roads Community Action Program Head Start/Early Head Start

Food and Drinks (extra cost):

  • African Village Restaurant
  • Beastro Cafe

The Virginia Zoo is an outdoor venue, and events will happen rain or shine unless otherwise indicated. If any changes are made, an announcement will be issued via email to our members/ticket holders and on the Virginia Zoo’s social media channels.

Thank you to our event sponsor: