Calendar & Events

Calendar & Events

Featured Events

Fall Fest

September 26–October 26

Chicago’s free and family-friendly fall celebration returns to Lincoln Park Zoo with a full slate of harvest-time fun!
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Haunted History Tours

Tuesdays and Wednesdays in October

Join Adam Selzer—author, podcaster, and host of Mysterious Chicago Tours—for spine-tingling walkabouts that dig into the zoo’s cemetery roots and locations from throughout its allegedly haunted history.

Zoo Fiesta

Saturday, October 11

Delight in the animals, cultures, and conservation efforts of Latin America at Zoo Fiesta!

Adults Night Out: Howl-o-ween Presented by Grey Goose Vodka and Patrón Tequila

Friday, October 24

This 21+ Halloween party at the zoo includes a haunted trail, Halloween-themed animal chats, and more. Costumes are encouraged!

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Malott Family Penguin Encounters

May–October

During this immersive program, you will get a personal introduction to Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove and find out what the daily lives of penguins are like both at the zoo and on the southern African coast.

Early Bird Member Morning

Second Saturday Each Month: March–October

Join us for a series of members-only hours at the zoo! Members can enjoy an exclusive morning of early access to the zoo, free rides, and more!

Sound Meditation With Jay Taylor

Select Saturdays, May 17–October 4

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

Second Saturday Garden Tours

Second Saturday Each Month: April–November

Join fellow nature lovers for a free guided tour of Lincoln Park Zoo’s diverse plant life and ecosystems.

Memory Enrichment

Third Friday of Each Month

Memory Enrichment at Lincoln Park Zoo is a free, welcoming program for people living with dementia and their loved ones and care partners.

Sunset Garden Tours

Select Thursdays, May–September

Join a zoo horticulturist for a relaxed evening in the garden at Lincoln Park Zoo—after hours!

Wildlife-Friendly Gardening Class

Saturday, October 11

Join a zoo horticulturist for a seasonal class perfect for the curious home gardener!

Spooky Zoo

Saturday, October 18

Hosted by the zoo’s Auxiliary Board, Spooky Zoo offers a free, festive, and accessible experience for more than 15,000 Chicago families and children.

Member Preview Night at ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd

Thursday, November 20

Be the first to experience the magic of ZooLights at Member Preview Night! Members can enjoy free train and carousel rides, a special 20% discount at the Gift Shop, and free hot chocolate, coloring sheets, and crafts at the Member Center!

ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd

November 2025–January 2026

ZooLights will feature more than 3 million lights, including hundreds of luminous LED displays and festive seasonal experiences.

Sensory-Friendly Night at ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd

Tuesday, November 25

On this special night at ZooLights, all blinking and moving lights will be static or greatly slowed down, and music softened or silenced, perfect for a less-stimulating visit.

Holiday Market: A Nowhere Collective Collaboration

Tuesday, December 2

Browse one-of-a-kind upcycled wonders created by local artisans and knock out your holiday shopping—all while enjoying millions of lights along the way.

The Chris White Jazz Trio Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas

Sunday, December 7

Dance along with Snoopy to the beloved music from Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas. At the matinee, snack on cookies and hot chocolate, be first in line to meet Santa, and enjoy ZooLights after the show.

Adults Night Out: Holidaze Presented by Grey Goose Vodka and Patrón Tequila

Thursday, December 11

Don we now our ugly sweaters for the holly-est, jolly-est night of the year at Lincoln Park Zoo—Adults Night Out: Holidaze!

Programs

Reading to the Animals

Mondays in July

Young readers and their families can drop by Farm-in-the-Zoo on Monday mornings in July to practice reading to each other and the animals—a friendly and nonjudgmental audience! Picnic blankets and books will be available.

LEAP: Learn, Explore, and Play

Select Dates

Join us for a morning of investigating and exploring the natural world through play. Children guide the way as they choose whether to dig in the dirt, manipulate loose parts, create a collaborative work of art, or settle in with a story underneath a canopy of colorful fabric.

Family Workshops

Select Dates

Join Lincoln Park Zoo’s Child and Family Learning team for a morning of nature play! We’ll discover the benefits of playing in and with nature, explore some of our favorite materials and activities, and send you home with resources and inspiration.

Conservation Camp

Summer 2025;
9 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays

Campers, rising grades PreK-5, will explore the zoo and learn about animals and how we care for them. They’ll also make new friends and spend time outdoors.

Children laughing and playing

Summer Zoo Crew

July 7–August 16; 9 a.m.–3 p.m. each day

Through team-building and immersive learning, campers entering grades 6–8 in the fall will explore the relationships between animals, humans, and ecosystems.

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