Wildlife Festival
September 14, 2024 | 10AM - 4PM | Utica Zoo

Join us for powerful fun at the NYPA Energy Zone & Utica Zoo on Saturday, September 14 from 10 am to 4 pm!

Admission to this event is FREE courtesy of the New York Power Authority. Come and visit for a day of animals, music, food, entertainment, vendors, and nature!

There will be FREE parking in the Zoo and Energy Zone parking lots with FREE overflow parking and shuttle buses available from the Parkway Rec Center and MVCC Payne Hall lot.

This event is rain or shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Admission to the Utica Zoo for Wildlife Festival is FREE! This is one of the things that makes this event so special. 

Please note that ONLY admission is free. Separate purchases in our gift shop, at our concessionaire, or with one of the many featured vendors will – likely – have a charge! 

Wildlife Festival will be on Saturday September 14th from 10am to 4pm! The zoo will remain open until 4:30pm! 

The zoo offers FREE parking right here in our parking lot. In the event of high attendance, FREE overflow parking with shuttle buses will be available at the Memorial Parkway Recreation Center and at MVCC’s Payne Hall lot.

At Wildlife Festival, you can visit the zoo as normal to see our animals, but also enjoy LIVE music and other entertainment, shop with various vendors, have lunch with one of the event’s food trucks, and learn some great stuff from one of our featured informational booths! 

Wildlife Festival is a rain OR shine event, so dress accordingly and enjoy your day with us regardless of the weather!

Featured Entertainment:

Stay Tuned for 2024's Entertainment to be Announced!

Food Options:

Stay Tuned for a Complete List of Food Trucks for Wildlife Festival 2024!

Are you a food truck looking to be at this year’s Wildlife Festival? Click Here to apply today!

Vendors:

Sterling Valley Maple

A Lil Bling

Stay Tuned for a Complete List of Vendors for Wildlife Festival 2024!

Are you a market vendor looking to be at this year’s Wildlife Festival? Click Here to apply today!

Informational Booths:

Shawangunk Nature Preserve

NYPA

YWCA

Stay Tuned for a Complete List of Food Trucks for Wine in the Wilderness 2024!

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Stay Tuned for a Complete List of Info Booths for Wildlife Festival 2024!

Are you a local organization looking to be at this year’s Wildlife Festival? Click Here to apply today!

The Utica Zoo will close at 3pm on 12/31 and will reopen with normal hours on 1/1!