Events
The Utica Zoo hosts numerous events throughout the year from large premiere events that happen annually to smaller special events that occur more regularly. If you are interested in hosting your own even here on zoo grounds, feel free to visit our Pavilion Rentals page!
Upcoming Events:
Scroll below for detailed information about each event!
Thursday Evenings from July 9th – August 27th
It’s that time of year again! Previously Sunset Sips or Dino Nights, we’re returning for the 2026 season with a stellar lineup each WILD SUMMER NIGHT!
Our entire zoo is open late each Thursday until 8pm for the entire family to enjoy live music, concession food and drinks, activities, and more!
Click the button below to see our entire lineup of performers and entertainment for the summer, including our CINEMATIC SAFARIS.
There is no additional charge to attend these family friendly nights other than regular zoo admission. See below for outdoor movie tickets.
Thursday Evenings July 9th, July 23rd, and August 27th
Cinematic Safaris at Utica Zoo are the perfect addition to your Thursday night out. Popular movies you know and love will be projected on screen next to the White-handed Gibbon exhibit. So grab a comfortable chair or blanket, and get ready a movie experience you never thought of!
Cinematic Safari Dates:
- Thursday July 9th: 2026 Disney Pixar’s HOPPERS “A 19-year-old animal lover uses technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination.” Rated PG.
- Thursday, July 23rd: 2003 Disney Pixar Finding Nemo “After his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home.” Rated G.
- Thursday, August 27th: 2025 Disney’s ZOOTOPIA 2 “Brave rabbit cop Judy Hopps and her friend, the fox Nick Wilde, team up again to crack a new case, the most perilous and intricate of their careers.” Rated PG.
Monday, July 27th AND Monday, August 31st from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
FREE NIGHTS at Utica Zoo are exactly how they sound: FREE admission for you, your friends, and EVERYONE who walks through our doors! We believe everyone should have the opportunity to visit our beautiful zoo and learn all we have to share about our amazing animals and wildlife conservation. Our entire zoo will be open late with extended hours until 8pm both nights for you to enjoy, along with:
- FREE SHUTTLES taking you from MVCC A1 lot or Parkway Rec Center to our Visitor’s Center, and back! Shuttles will run from 4pm-830pm.
- Informational community organization booths around zoo grounds offering education, resources, and sign-ups. These organizations include but are not limited to: Oneida County Public Health Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, LIFEPlan CCO NY, Excellus, RCIL, Oneida County History Center, House of the Good Shephard, Kelberman Center, United Way – Mohawk Valley.
- Polly’s Concessions for dinner, a snack, slushie, sweet treat, or refreshing alcoholic drink. Please note Polly’s Concessions, other vendors, and items in our gift shop are not included in the free of the night.
- Gift shop open late for Utica Zoo apparel, merchandise, children’s toys, plush, and more!
Saturday, August 1st is BLUEY DAY at Utica Zoo!
Don’t miss this day to meet everybody’s favorite blue character! She will be available for meet and greets and photo opportunities in our Visitor’s Center from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Families can also enjoy games and activities like:
- BOOK SWAP: Bring in used or unwanted books of any age or genre to be swapped with your community! We here at Utica Zoo will also be participating by donating books from our education department. Promote sustainability before buying something new!
- Keepy Uppy game for children inside the Visitor’s Center
- Pass the Parcel game for children with a PRIZE (sign your child up to play at the button below) P.S. we’ll be playing by ‘Lucky’s dad’s rules’.
- Bug Scavenger Hunt on grounds
- Butterfly Catcher game
- Bluey Storytimes read by our education department and docents at 10:15, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm.
- Polly’s Concessions with a special Blue treat!
- and so much more to come!!
This event is regular zoo admission to attend, so bring your family and avid Bluey lovers to see her at the zooey!
Monthly Saturdays from 9:00am to 10:00am are Wellness Mornings with Wildlife
We know how busy life can get, which is why we want to prioritize your well-being. Have you ever wanted to rest, relax, and recharge on zoo grounds? Well, our Wellness Mornings with Wildlife are the perfect opportunity for you! These monthly Saturday classes from 9:00am to 10:00am allow you to start your weekend with a positive mindset.
We’ll be hosting a Wellness Morning with Wildlife each month designed to help you connect with wildlife and your inner self. These hour-long classes promote mental and physical well-being through pilates, yoga, nature walks, drawing, birding, and more. Locations for each class will vary monthly and always be near an animal exhibit to enjoy. Join our Wellness Mornings at Utica Zoo with a family member or friend you’ve been needing to spend quality time with, or devote this hour to yourself.
All classes are BYO (bring your own yoga or pilates mat, notebook, etc.) Sip on complimentary lemon water before, during, or after your class. Feel free to stay and walk around the zoo afterward, as it opens daily at 10:00am and your class ticket includes regular zoo admission.
These classes are rain or shine and will not be accepting refunds. Rained-out classes will take place inside our stunning brand-new Bull Reef exhibit boasting hard and soft salt-water corals, vibrant species of fish, shrimp, crabs, an eel, and more!
Please note that these classes do not include behind the scenes animal experiences, and are simply located outside an animal’s exhibit for viewing throughout the duration of the class.
See below for our list of upcoming classes and stay tuned for more announcements!
- Saturday, August 15th: YOGA WITH THE GIBBONS instructed by In Bloom Yoga
- Saturday, September 19th: PILATES WITH THE LIONS instructed by Sophia Hartnett from BurnToneSculpt. (this is a Stretch & Strength Beginner Friendly Class)
- Saturday, October 10th: YOGA WITH THE OTTERS instructed by The Good Latch Cat (this will be prenatal/postpartum/pelvic floor focused)
- Saturday, November 14th: TBA
- Saturday, December 12th: Breathing & Meditation in the Coral Reef instructed by TrainQuality
Sunday, August 16th from 2:00pm to 4:30pm is Pokemon-GO Community Day at UZ!
Spend Pokemon-GO Community Day on Utica Zoo grounds! No registration is required to explore our in-game gyms, Pokestops, and our exclusive Utica Zoo ‘route’. Only regular admission to the zoo to participate on grounds!
Stop by our education station and collect one of our Utica Zoo Animal Conservation Cards! This collection will highlight members of our Scales & Tails and BUll Reef exhibit.
Polly’s Concessions will be open 11:00am to 4:00pm for a quick treat or snack to recharge!
The Utica Zoo is open normal hours this day from 10:00am to 4:30pm. Pokemon-GO Community Day occurs from 2:00pm to 5:00pm this day.
Saturday, August 22nd AND Sunday, August 2rd is GROSSOLOGY Weekend
This weekend, we’re turning what’s gross into the most! What we may think is disgusting can actually be incredibly significant when learning about an animal’s health, our surrounding environment, or even ourselves! Join us for our first ever GROSSOLOGY Weekend and learn about the amazing uses of poop, important roles of insects and creepy crawlies, and some of the most fascinating (and gross) practices in veterinary medicine.
As you venture around the zoo, you and your family will be able to take part in activity stations, educational games, and more!
During GROSSOLOGY Weekend, you can expect:
- A ‘Scatvenger Hunt’: roam zoo grounds while you learn about which animal defecates what! Use your detective skills to determine what poop belongs to which animal based on its size, shape, color, and consistency!
- A visit to the ‘VetMed Museum’: a booth presented by our veterinary medicine department showcasing some truly disgusting finds. Think glass jars with floating material…gross! Stay tuned for updated veterinary medicine activities at this booth.
- Throwing your hand at ‘Turd Toss’: see how far your poo can go!
- Special appearances by our ambassador insects.
- Keeper talks throughout the day specifically aimed at educating about poop or other gross animal activities.
- Storytimes read by our education department or docents about poo! Specific times to be announced.
- Polly’s Concessions with a specially made disgusting (yet delectable) sweet treat!
- …and more to come!
Sunday, September 6th is the next TEDDY BEAR CLINIC
Visit the Utica Zoo Sunday, September 6th between 10:00am and 12:00pm to have your child’s favorite stuffed animal scheduled to see our highly qualified stuffed animal doctors, who are ready to give their favorite toy a quick check up or even some emergency care!
Reservations are recommended but not required, one stuffed animal per reservation. Clinic is free with admission and you are available to roam zoo grounds before or after your appointment!
- Each child will receive a printed bill of health certificate for their stuffed animal after the visit.
- If you’re in need of a new stuffed animal, you can always ADOPT one from our gift shop and get them checked up before you bring them to their new home!
Saturday, November 14th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
This event has been rescheduled from June 20th to November 14th. Join us for a magical evening of music, memories, and making a difference at the Utica Zoo’s Cubs Cotillion! This special parent‑and‑child dance invites families to dress up, dance together, and support an incredible cause.
Young guests will enjoy an elegant but fun atmosphere filled with music by Amos Donnell Productions, a light buffet with desserts, ambassador animal presentations, and even some royal guests!
Prior to the evening, children are invited to participate in a friendly fundraising effort to support our accredited zoo and our mission of wildlife conservation. Once registered, you will receive a downloadable fundraising sheet and digital donation page customized to your child, as well as social media graphics to share to help your child raise money for wildlife conservation! The downloadable fundraising form is below.
The boy and girl who fundraise the most for wildlife conservation by 4:00pm by November 14th will be crowned ‘King of the Jungle’ and ‘Queen Bee’ of Utica Zoo for 2026! Winners will also receive a free family membership. Runner-ups will win day passes to visit the zoo again!
Whether you’re twirling on the dance floor, cheering for your little cub, or simply soaking in the joy of a night out together, this event is designed to create lasting family memories while giving back to your local AZA-accredited zoo.
*This special parent-and-child dance is rain or shine, as it will be inside our decked-out Visitor Center. Individuals are encouraged to fundraise, but by no means have to in order to attend this magical event. This dance is recommended for children ages 3-12 years and their guardians, but all are welcome!
Tickets to this magical night are $35 per child and $10 per adult. See button below for more information and to purchase your tickets!
