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!
Saturday, September 12th is our WILDLIFE FESTIVAL with the NY Power Authority!
On this day, receive free admission to the Utica Zoo and the NY Power Authority Energy Zone. You can also expect food trucks, various vendors on site at both locations, bounce houses, wandering magicians, a scavenger hunt between both locations with a PRIZE, arts and crafts, face painting, chainsaw sculptures, and so much more!!!
Parking is free on site, however overflow parking with free shuttles is available from 10:00am to 4:30pm at the MVCC A1 lot and the Parkway Rec Center right down the road! Just a short bus ride to a day filled with free fun family memories!
Upcoming Dates & Topics:
- Friday, September 18th – Fabulous Fall!
- Friday, October 9th – BOO at the Zoo!
- Friday, November 13th – Happy Hibernators
- Friday, December 11th – The Animal’s Santa
- Thursday, December 31st – Noon Years Cheer!
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: YOGA IN THE CORAL REEF instructed by Mindful Moments
- Saturday, December 12th: Breathing & Meditation in the Coral Reef instructed by TrainQuality
Saturday, September 19th is International Red Panda Day!
Visit the Utica Zoo on Saturday, September 19th to learn about and support this incredible, endangered species! You can expect keeper talks at the red panda exhibit to learn about their daily care, adaptations and behaviors, and conservation status. We will also have themed activities or crafts to engage individuals of all ages. Additionally:
- 10% of all proceeds from red panda merchandise sold in our gift shop will be donated to the Red Panda Network, so don’t forget to stop in and shop our red panda plush, t shirts, ornaments, and more.
- Collect a Red Panda SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Trading Card that displays OUR red pandas, Bao and Momo!
- Keeper chats will be outside the red panda exhibit at 10:30am, 11:30am, and 12:30pm.
- Children can enjoy a craft and activity table about the red panda species.
Homeschool Programs are in Session!
The Utica Zoo Home School Program is a STEM-based program that utilizes age-appropriate activities, on ground tours, and presentations to teach attending children about a range of ecology-related topics. For students 6-12 years of age. See more at the button below.
Upcoming Dates:
- Thursday, September 24th – Seed Strategies
- Thursday, October 22nd – Mighty Migrations
- Thursday, November 19th – Teeth, Claws, and Food Webs
- Thursday, December 17th – Winter Preppers
Stroller Safaris ARE BACK!
A Stroller Safari at Utica Zoo consists of a 30 minute mini zoo tour, a short book reading, an ambassador turtle/tortoise experience, a craft for children, and even a coffee cart for adults! Our stroller safaris will have different themes or topics each month that the book, mini tour, and craft are based around.
Safaris are in collaboration with the Mom Walk Collective of Utica, NY.
These safaris are 75 minutes in length before the zoo opens to the public from 9:00am to 10:15am monthly (Friday or Saturday each month). Topics and activities are aimed at children aged 0-5. See Safari dates and corresponding topics below:
- Aug 22nd: Cockadoodle Zoo
- Sept 25th: Back to ‘Schools’
- Oct 24th: Water Water Everywhere
- Nov 20th: Old McDonald Had a Zoo
To maximize experience quality, safaris will be capped at 40 child participants per safari with no cap for adults or parents who tag along. Tickets are regular zoo admission plus $5 for the safari. Babies under 2 years of age receive free admission per usual and no additional fee for the safari. Each adult and child above the age of 2 will be required to pay regular zoo admission plus the $5 for the private experience. Utica Zoo members receive free admission but are required to pay the additional $5 for the safari. Pre-booking for these experiences is highly recommended and can be completed online at the button below.
Saturday, October 3rd is Patterns of the Earth
Join us for an art and tattoo festival at the beginning of the fall season! This all-day event is inspired by the historical and cultural significance of tattoos and its common representation of animal patterns. Visit the Utica Zoo on this day to further connect humans and nature through activities and booths like:
- Flash tattoos provided by local tattoo artists/shops (additional charge)
- Children’s face painting
- Temporary tattoo application station for children and adults alike
- Art vendors to peruse that will have different paintings, crochet, beading, and more!
- Animal pattern education stations provided by the zoo
- Keeper talks throughout the day highlighting some of our animals’ magnificent patterns, like the Hartmann’s Mountain zebra
- and so much more to come!
We are thrilled for our very first Patterns of the Earth event! If you’re reading this, we are still in the process of accumulating interested tattoo artists/shops to provide flash tattoos, henna artists, hair wrapping/embellishments, permanent jewelers, and art vendors. If your business is interested in joining the zoo for this art and tattoo festival, please do not hesitate to reach out to kathleen.mcgill@uticazoo.org. We would love to bring your business in on all the excitement!
Utica Zoo would also be pleased to offer an exclusive sponsor for this event. Sponsors not only generously support our mission to provide conservation education through fun that matters, but will also see their company logo on all digital and print media for the event, our zoo event map for that day, and so much more. If your company wants to make a valuable difference, please do not hesitate to reach out to a.heath@uticazoo.org with your interest.
Saturday, October 10th is Pokemon-Go Community Day!
40th Annual SPOOKTACULAR Harvest Festival
Visit the Utica Zoo on Saturday, October 17th AND Sunday, October 18th for all the spooky good vibes at our zoo, including our iconic 13 treat stations, and exciting entertainment throughout the grounds! At our 40th annual SPOOKTACULAR Harvest Festival, you can expect:
- A decked-out zoo with all the spooky (and fun) decorations for Halloween
- 13 treat stations around the zoo for children to visit that include candy pick-ups, games, and other prize opportunities! Treat cards are required for $5 each to participate, which get stamped at each station visited. Cards can be purchased ahead at the button below or day of at our admission window.
- Music and entertainment throughout the zoo’s grounds
- Live dance performances
- Local vendors to peruse and shop from
- Keeper talks throughout the day
- Polly’s Concessions open for lunch, a snack, alcoholic beverage, or a sweet treat!
- And so much more to come!!
This event occurs from 10:00am to 3:00pm both days, but the zoo remains open until 4:30pm.
Free shuttles will be available all weekend long. Catch a ride to the zoo when you park at either the Parkway Rec Center or the MVCC A1 Parking Lot.
This event is regular zoo admission to attend. Treat cards are just the additional $5 to play at 13 stations around the zoo. Treat cards are designed for younger individuals, but anyone can participate! One treat card per child.
Saturday, October 24th from 5-8pm is BOOZE A THE ZOO
We’re throwing a Halloween bash you won’t want to miss…this after-hours party is strictly 21+ where costumes and dancing is highly encouraged! Polly’s will be serving up potions that include seasonal beers, hard ciders, seltzers, wine, and even some specialty, spooky cocktails! Grab a bite to eat at Polly’s Concessions, dance the night away with our DJ and lights under the pavilion, or stroll zoo grounds under the stars.
If you are a vendor looking to sell your unique merchandise during this party, please reach out to kathleen.mcgill@uticazoo.org
More information about this party to come soon, so stay tuned for pre-sale tickets that include 2 free drinks!!!
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!
