Calendar & Events

Calendar & Events

Featured Events

Adults Night Out: Block Party

Just for Adults

Friday, May 22

Adults Night Out: Block Party is exclusively for the 21+ crowd to enjoy the zoo with games, music, and good times with no kids around.
Learn More

Coming Soon

 

Saturday Night at the Zoo Hosted by River North Fests

Ages 21+

Saturday, May 2

Spend your next Saturday night at the zoo! Enjoy this 21+ after-hours event with live music, a live DJ, karaoke, adult beverages and no kids!

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Summer Kickoff

All Ages

Memorial Day Weekend

Celebrate the start of warmer weather and sunnier days at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Summer Kickoff, a free and family-friendly celebration on Memorial Day weekend.

See Activities

Did You Know?

Buying tickets to events is a way to support animal wellbeing at Lincoln Park Zoo and conservation efforts to save species in the wild.

All Ages

Monday, April 20–Friday, April 24

All Ages

Earth Week Presented by LRS

The zoo is hosting activities and programs throughout the week, including celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day. Learn more.


Saturdays, May–October

9–10 a.m.

Ages 16+

Sound Meditation With Jay Taylor

Lie back, relax, and sink into an immersive sonic landscape with sound meditation facilitator Jay Taylor. Learn more.


Memorial Day Weekend

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

All Ages

Summer Kickoff at Lincoln Park Zoo

Celebrate the start of warmer weather and sunnier days at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Summer Kickoff. Learn more.


Sunday, May 31

7 a.m.–noon

Ages 3+

Run for the Zoo

Lace up your running (or walking) shoes and get ready for Run for the Zoo, one of Lincoln Park Zoo’s largest fundraisers. Learn more.


Friday, June 12 & Friday, July 31

6–9 p.m.

All Ages

Family Fun Fur-iday

Kids and their grown-ups make memories as they share a special summer evening together at Lincoln Park Zoo. Learn more.


Friday, June 26

6–10 p.m.

All Ages

Zoo Fiesta

Join a family-friendly event celebrating Latine cultures and communities. Learn more.


September 25–November 1

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

All Ages

Fall Fest

Chicago’s FREE fall celebration returns to Lincoln Park Zoo with a full slate of harvest-time fun!


November 20–January 3

4:30–9 p.m.

All Ages

ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd

With over 3 million lights, ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd is Chicagoland’s favorite holiday tradition. Learn more.


Sunday, December 6

Matinee and Evening Shows

All Ages

Chris White Jazz Trio Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas

Experience the Chris White Jazz Trio’s performance of Vince Guaraldi’s classic soundtrack, A Charlie Brown Christmas.


January 2, 2027

All Ages

New Year’s ReZoolutions


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Just for Adults

 

Saturday, May 2

6:30–10 p.m.

Ages 21+

River North Fests Presents Saturday Night at the Zoo

A 21+ after-hours event with live music, a live DJ, karaoke, adult beverages and no kids! Learn more.


Friday, May 15

6–10 p.m.

Ages 21+

Zoo-ologie

Join the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo for the 14th anniversary of its signature cocktail party. Learn more.


Friday, May 22

6:30–10 p.m.

Ages 21+

Adults Night Out: Block Party

Start the summer off right where adults can enjoy the zoo with games, music, and good times. Learn more.


Saturday, June 13

6:30–10 p.m.

Ages 21+

River North Fests Presents ’90s Night at the Zoo

This 21+ evening brings 90s-themed karaoke, photo booths, and fun to Lincoln Park Zoo. Learn more.


Friday, July 17

6:30 p.m.

Ages 21+

Zoo Ball

Lincoln Park Zoo’s signature fundraiser hosted by the Women’s Board. Learn more.


Saturday, July 18

6–10 p.m.

Ages 21+

Summer Wine Fest: Flights of Fancy

Enjoy a summertime soirée for wine aficionados and nature lovers at this open-air wine sampling event. Learn more.


Friday, August 21

6:30–10 p.m.

Ages 21+

Adults Night Out: Crafted

Bring your creativity and come chill at the zoo with your favorite crafts, cocktails, and community.


October 23–24

6–10 p.m.

Ages 21+

Zoo Brews: Howls and Growls

An adults-only Halloween party with unlimited samples of craft beers and ciders at themed “trick or treat” stations. Learn more.


Thursday, December 10

6:30–10 p.m.

Ages 21+

Adults Night Out: Naughty or Nice

Save the date, check it twice, then decide: Naughty or Nice? This light-hearted and kid-free holiday party will be equal parts sweet and spicy.


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Just for Kids

 

Multiple dates

Ages 2–4 with an adult

9:30–10:30 a.m.

LEAP: Learn, Explore, and Play

Join us for a morning of investigating and exploring the natural world through play. Learn more.


Sunday, April 26

10 a.m.–noon

Ages 13–18

Zoo Teens: Saving the Planet, Chicago Style

Students will get inspired by a local natural area and learn how they can make a difference in conserving urban wildlife through the arts. Learn more.


Sunday, May 3

1–3 p.m.

Ages 13–18

Zoo Teens: Duck, Duck, Heron!

Join teens from the zoo’s Conservation Ambassadors Board for an afternoon of learning, discovery, and action to celebrate the arrival of these state-endangered birds! Learn more.


Sunday, May 31

7 a.m.–noon

Ages 3-8

Run for the Zoo: Kids’ Course

Little ones ages can show their zoo spirit in an obstacle course built just for them! Learn more.


Summer 2026

9 a.m.–3 p.m., Weekdays

PreK–5

Conservation Camp

Campers, rising grades PreK-5, will explore the zoo and learn about animals and how we care for them. Learn more.


Summer 2026

9 a.m.–3 p.m., Weekdays

Grades 6–8

Summer Zoo Crew

Through team-building and immersive learning, campers will explore the relationships between animals, humans, and ecosystems. Learn more.


March 27, 2027

Spring Egg-Stravaganza


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Members Only

 

Second Saturday from March–October

8–10 a.m.

Members

Early Bird Member Morning

Join us for a series of members-only hours at the zoo! Learn more.


Friday, June 19

5–8:30 p.m.

Members

Super Zoo Picnic


Thursday, November 19

Members

Member Preview Night at ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd


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All Abilities

 

Third Friday of Each Month

10:15–11:15 a.m.

All Who Benefit

Memory Enrichment

Join us for a welcoming program for people living with dementia and their loved ones and care partners. Learn more.


Sunday, April 26

8–10 a.m.

All Who Benefit

Sensory-Friendly Mornings

These free mornings give guests access to the entire zoo before regular opening hours. Learn more.


Sunday, July 28

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

All Who Benefit

Sensory-Friendly Days at Farm-in-the-Zoo

Enjoy the Farm-in-the-Zoo for all who benefit from visiting without crowds and other sensitive environmental elements. Learn more.


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Tours and Encounters

 

Second Thursday of Each Month

6–7 p.m.

Ages 16+

Sunset Garden Tours

Join a zoo expert for a relaxed evening in the gardens at Lincoln Park Zoo—after hours! Learn more


May 28–October 31

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Ages 6+

Malott Family Penguin Encounter

Experience the zoo from inside the African penguin habitat! Learn more.


June 16–November 15

3–4 p.m.

Ages 13+

Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House

Experience Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House like you never have before! Learn more.


September 29–October 28

7–8:15 p.m. & 8:30–9:45 p.m.

Ages 16+

Haunted History Tours

Join Adam Selzer, for walking tours that dig into the zoo’s cemetery roots and its allegedly haunted history.


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