Eggstravaganza 2026
April 4th from 10AM - 3PM at Utica Zoo
"It's All About the Egg!"
The annual Utica Zoo Eggstravaganza returns to the scenic grounds of the Utica Zoo on Saturday, April 4th, from 10am-3pm. The zoo remains open until 430pm.
Eggstravaganza is unlike other Easter themed events; the focus is all about the Egg and the animals who lay them. Visitors will be able to explore the zoo and celebrate the numerous different species of animal who lay eggs and learn how truly different and unique each egg can be. There will be ambassador animal meet & greets, egg-themed enrichment for the animals and educational keeper talks, games to win prizes, vendors with food and merchandise, and free photos with the Easter Bunny!
Join us for live music by Amos Donnell Productions, a bubble machine party, and a dance performance by the vibrant Happy Hag Dance Troupe in the early afternoon!
Admission to the event is regular zoo admission. UZ members receive free admission; not-yet members only pay $11 for adults, $8 for children aged 2-12, Seniors 62+, and $10 for military, veterans, and college students with IDs. Children 1 and under are always free!
FOR A LIMITED TIME, get 20% off event ‘treat cards’ when you purchase yours before March 21st. For only $4, (in addition to regular zoo admission) card holders can enjoy playing in featured games and activities to earn candy and prizes! Interactive activities include obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, guessing games, and more!
After March 21st, each treat card will remain $5 each leading up to the event. Cards and admission can be purchased digitally below or are available for purchase on site on the day of the event.
Overflow parking and free shuttles throughout the day will be available at Mohawk Valley Community College A1 parking lot off of Academic Road (1101 Sherman Dr, Utica, NY 13501) ONLY. Shuttles will run from 9:30am to 5:00pm. Shuttles will not be picking up at the Parkway Rec Center.
Photos from Previous Eggstravaganza Years:
Food, Treats, Booths, Oh My!
Eggstravaganza will feature:
- Polly’s Concessions at the Utica Zoo!
- Birdsong Cafe‘s Food Truck with specialty drinks (think lattes & lemonade), crepes, and acai bowls
- The Grape Vine Mediterranean Food Truck
- Oldie’s & Goodie’s Fried Dough and Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
- Short & Sweet Treats booth with decorated sugar cookies, cupcakes, and more
- SD Beads booth with premade bracelets, jewlery making kits, and more
- Corning Museum of Glass informational booth with glass animal give-aways
- Cayuga Center Family Foster Care Agency educational booth
- The Salvation Army educational booth with free prizes
- The House of the Good Shephard resource booth
- Girl Scout Troop of NY PENN informational booth
Frequently Asked Questions:
Eggstravaganza is on Saturday April 4th and runs from 10am until 3pm. The zoo will remain open until 4:30pm.
Not-yet members only pay $11 for adults, $8 for children aged 2-12, Seniors 62+, and $10 for military, veterans, and college students with IDs. Members always receive free admission. For $5 per person, you can add an event ‘treat card’, with holders able to participate in our featured games and activities to earn candy and other prizes!
With your membership, you can enjoy free admission! Treat cards are still $5 per person regardless of membership status. Click Here to purchase your membership TODAY!
The zoo has a free parking lot that you can use when coming to the event.
There will also be overflow parking with free shuttles at Mohawk Valley Community College (1101 Sherman Dr, Utica, NY 13501) in the A1 lot that is off of Academic Road. Shuttles will run from 9:30am to 5:00pm.
Shuttles will not be picking up at the Parkway Rec Center.
Of course! The zoo will be open as normal throughout the event. The only difference is that Eggstravaganza will also feature special food trucks, vendors, games, music, and more! Ambassador animals will make appearances with educators, while keepers give educational talks at animal exhibits that are all about the egg!
The Utica Zoo DOES NOT provide baskets or bags for our visitors, so please bring your own!
If you just want to come to the zoo for a visit on April 4th, you can pay normal admission and enjoy the zoo like any other day! Why not try out the vendors on grounds while here?
Eggstravaganza will be a rain or shine event! So regardless of what the weather ends up being, Eggstravaganza will happen!
Featured Entertainment:
DJ by Amos Donnell Productions
Performance by Happy Hags Dance Troupe
Food & Treats:
A Special Thank You to Our Partners:
