Virginia Zoo

Zoo Tales
2026-07-04 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-09 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-16 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-18 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-23 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-30 11:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Join us for our popular story-time program, Zoo Tales! Each week features two new stories and an animal encounter with a zoo animal ambassador, all related to a changing monthly theme!

See signs posted in the Zoo’s Fountain Plaza to find out the location of Zoo Tales on the day of your visit. Free with general admission.

Theme: Sunny Summer

Little Zoo
2026-07-06 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-13 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-19 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-20 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-27 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-03 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-10 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-16 11:00 - 11:30 and 1 more date
Come join us as educators and volunteers offer themed animal interactions inside one of the Zoo’s classroom spaces. Our Little Zoo program offers our guests an intimate look at our animal ambassadors with station-based learning. This program is open to all who want to experience and grow in our Little Zoo. See signs posted in the Zoo’s Fountain Plaza to find out the location of Little Zoo on the day of your visit. Free with general admission.

Wild Babies
2026-07-07 09:45 - 10:45
Calling all “Wild Babies” to the zoo! Join us for a NEW program offering for our youngest zoo visitors. We will be exploring age appropriate sensory and educational activities in a small up-close setting. This program is geared for 0-2 year olds and their guardians although older children will be welcome. Wild Babies will involve elements of nature and social development including but not limited to story time, short “hikes”, and an animal encounter.

These programs will be located in one of our classrooms. Please check signs in Fountain Plaza on the day of the event.

Theme: Sunny Summer

Wild Tykes
2026-07-11 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-07-23 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-07-25 09:30 - 10:30
Wild Tykes is a drop-in program recommended for kids aged 3-5 and their favorite adults! Each program features a new theme with age-appropriate nature and science activities that focus on these core areas: sensory, movement, free play, art, and problem-solving. We won’t be afraid to get a little dirty as we explore and play together! See signs posted in the Zoo’s Fountain Plaza to find out the location of activities on the day of your visit. Free with General Admission.

Theme: Sunny Summer

Breakfast with the Animals
2026-07-12 08:00 - 10:00
Are you a morning person who’s ready and roaring to go to the Zoo on the weekend? Join us for Breakfast with the Animals – an opportunity to rise, shine and dine with your favorite Zoo residents!

Flock to the Zoo with your fellow early birds and catch exclusive access to the trails before we open to the general public. Gobble down some grab-and-go breakfast foods, migrate to your favorite animals’ habitat, and get a bird’s eye view of how morning meals are made on the wild side.

Gates open at 8am and close at 9:30am. The Zoo will open to the public at 10am.

Event takes place rain or shine!

Activities

COMING SOON

Food & Drink

COMING SOON

💲Ticket Prices💲

Each ticket includes various breakfast foods, exclusive access to animal’s morning routines, and all-day Zoo admission.

🍎 COMING SOON

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.

Adult Night
2026-07-18 17:00 - 20:00
Want to visit the Zoo AND beat the summer heat 🥵? Join us for an adults only (21+) evening at the Zoo! Unleash your inner wild child with the chance to explore exhibit trails after hours 🐅🦚🦓, dance the evening away to a DJ’s tunes 🕺🏼🪩, partake in free bounce houses, play lawn games with a refreshing summer cocktail in hand 🍹, and enjoy mouth-watering eats from amazing local food trucks 🌮🍟🥙.

*Please note that in order to not disrupt our animals’ routines, exhibit trails will close at 7:30pm, though the event continues until 8pm. The Goat Yard in the ZooFarm will remain open until 7:45pm.

Event is Ages 21+ and ALL IDs will be checked before entering.

Activities

COMING SOON

Food & Drinks ($)

COMING SOON

💲Ticket Prices💲

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

This is a 21+ only event. IDs will be checked upon entry.

☀️ COMING SOON

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.

Zoo Tales
2026-08-01 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-06 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-13 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-15 11:00 - 11:30
Join us for our popular story-time program, Zoo Tales! Each week features two new stories and an animal encounter with a zoo animal ambassador, all related to a changing monthly theme!

See signs posted in the Zoo’s Fountain Plaza to find out the location of Zoo Tales on the day of your visit. Free with general admission.

Theme: Mud & Water

End of Summer Bash
2026-08-01 12:00 - 16:00
The sun may be setting on summer 🌅, but we’re squeezing in one last hurrah 🥳 at our End of Summer Bash on Saturday, August 2nd from 12:00 – 4:00pm!

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

Activities

COMING SOON

Food & Drinks (extra cost):

COMING SOON

Event Reminders

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.

Wild Babies
2026-08-04 09:45 - 10:45
Calling all “Wild Babies” to the zoo! Join us for a NEW program offering for our youngest zoo visitors. We will be exploring age appropriate sensory and educational activities in a small up-close setting. This program is geared for 0-2 year olds and their guardians although older children will be welcome. Wild Babies will involve elements of nature and social development including but not limited to story time, short “hikes”, and an animal encounter.

These programs will be located in one of our classrooms. Please check signs in Fountain Plaza on the day of the event.

Theme: Mud & Water

Wild Tykes
2026-08-08 09:30 - 10:30
Wild Tykes is a drop-in program recommended for kids aged 3-5 and their favorite adults! Each program features a new theme with age-appropriate nature and science activities that focus on these core areas: sensory, movement, free play, art, and problem-solving. We won’t be afraid to get a little dirty as we explore and play together! See signs posted in the Zoo’s Fountain Plaza to find out the location of activities on the day of your visit. Free with General Admission.

Theme: Mud & Water

Member Night - Tango's Birthday Party
2026-08-13 17:00 - 20:00
No advanced reservations are required, but attendees must show their Member ID upon arrival. Gates will open at 5pm and the event ends at 8pm. The event will take place rain or shine.

Activities

COMING SOON

Food & Drinks (extra cost)

COMING SOON

Gates will open at 5 PM. Event ends at 8 PM. 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.

Teddy Bear Clinic
2026-08-15 09:30 - 12:30
It’s back-to-school season so let’s get a head start on preventing those sniffles and sneezes ✏️📓! Help your little ones learn why it’s so important to visit the doctor’s office and how to maintain healthy habits by taking their favorite stuffed animal to the Zoo for a much-needed check-up 🐻 🩺.

Healthcare doesn’t have to be a scare – our educators, volunteers, and community partners are ready to ease kids’ anxiety by guiding their exploration of medical exams through play 🥼.

Event is free with general admission and will take place rain or shine.

Activities

COMING SOON

Food & Drink (Extra Cost)

10am – 4pm: African Village Restaurant open

10:30am – 3:30pm: Beastro open

10:30am – 4pm: Mini Melts kiosk open

Event Reminders

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.
