May 16 @ 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, learn about all the Zoo’s conservation efforts, 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! 🌿

NEW THIS YEAR Volunteer for a Great American Clean with the Virginia Zoo and receive free admission to the Zoo to attend Party for the Planet! Click here to sign up for these volunteer opportunities.

Get your tickets here!

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

Activities

  • 9:30 – 10am: Animal Ambassador Pop Up at the Event Pavilion
  • 1 – 1:30pm: Animal Ambassador Pop Up at the Event Pavilion
  • Photo ops with Tango the Tiger
  • Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) Animal Activity Stations
  • iNaturalist Bioblitz:
    • Contribute to community science by logging local wildlife sightings on Zoo grounds!
  • Drive Safe Hampton Roads’ Old, Used, Borrowed and Abused Child Safety Seat Round-Up in the parking lot
    • Car seats that are over eight years old, have been purchased from a thrift store or yard sale, have missing parts, or have no traceable recall information can all pose a safety risk to children. This donation drive provides a way for community members to properly recycle their car seats.
  • Submit your memories table
    • Share your Virginia Zoo memories with us for a chance to be featured in our 125th anniversary time capsule.
  • Plant sale with the Virginia Zoo’s Horticulture Department ($)

Community Vendors

  • AskHR Green
  • Environmental Stormwater
  • Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
  • Habitat Heroes
  • Keep Norfolk Beautiful
  • Norfolk Botanical Gardens
  • Norfolk Environmental Commission
  • Norfolk Public Library
  • Tidewater Compost
  • Tidewater Master Naturalists
  • Virginia 811
  • Virginia Herpetological Society
  • Norfolk Tree Commission
  • Norfolk Public Libraries
  • Visit Norfolk
  • James River Association
  • Garden for Wildlife

Food & Drink ($)

  • 10am – 4pm: African Village Restaurant open
  • 10:30am – 3:30pm: Beastro open
  • 9:30am – 4pm: Mini Melts open