February 14 - Valentine’s Day Celebration, 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy a day of animals being treated to herbal bouquets, heart-shaped steaks, heart-shaped ice pops made of fruit juice, honey, strawberries and cranberries, and more. The special treats are part of the zookeepers’ ongoing efforts to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally stimulated and engage zoo visitors. Free with zoo admission.

March 12 - thrive! 2009, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Join us at the Sheraton Hotel in Seattle, and learn how you can “thrive!” with Woodland Park Zoo. This year's keynote speaker is Ed Begley, Jr., the famed actor, television host and green-living advocate. A reception will be followed by a sit-down dinner and program at 7:00 p.m. Cost: Single ticket $185 per person; Table of 10 $1,850 or Corporate/Family Table at $2,500, which includes exciting benefits such as a private reception with Ed Begley, Jr. and valet parking. All funds raised this evening will go towards Woodland Park Zoo's conservation and education programs and world-class animal care. For reservations and table host opportunities, contact 206.548.2442. For more information about the event and details on Corporate/Family Table Sponsorship visit the zoo's website at www.zoo.org/thrive.

April 11 - Bunny Bounce, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Hop, skip and jump to Woodland Park Zoo for the eighth annual Bunny Bounce, featuring amazing egg hunts for children ages 1–8, crafts, bunny encounters, and eggs-citing zoo programs throughout the day. Space may be limited. Each egg hunt is open on a first-come, first-served basis. Activities are free with zoo admission. Zoo members receive free zoo admission year-round.

April 11 - Easter Baskets for the Animals, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Gorillas, elephants, grizzlies and more nibble on their own Easter baskets lined with flowers, berries and other favorite treats. The special treats are part of the zookeepers’ ongoing efforts to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally stimulated and engage zoo visitors. Free with zoo admission.

May 1 - Summer Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily through September 30

May 2 - ***NEW *** Opening: Humboldt penguin exhibit

What’s black and white and wet all over? Woodland Park Zoo’s Humboldt penguins! The tuxedoed birds will make their debut in an all new exhibit that will immerse visitors in the desert coasts of Chile and Peru. See the birds preen, porpoise, build nests and squabble over territory in the 17,000 square foot exhibit. Did you know these black and white birds have now gone green? Sustainable features in the exhibit include a filtration system that will save 3 million gallons of water each year, and a special design to catch all stormwater runoff, preventing the pollution of our local water sources. Free with zoo admission.

May 9 - Mom & Me at the Zoo, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Moms and families enjoy plenty of games, face painting, live entertainment, arts and crafts and more in the zoo’s North Meadow. For more information, call 206.548.2500 or visit www.zoo.org.

May 16 - Festival for the Birds featuring Coffee & Chocolate Festival, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

In celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, Woodland Park Zoo’s Festival for the Birds pays tribute to the world’s migratory bird species. Flock to the Family Farm and enjoy a variety of activities and bird demonstrations to help you rediscover some of the wildlife in your own backyard. Plus, learn about and sample delicious shade-grown coffees and chocolate that help prevent deforestation in critical bird habitats. Activities are free with zoo admission.

May 16 - Early Morning Bird Walk, 6:45 a.m.

Each spring, migratory birds arrive in the Pacific Northwest from Central and South America to reproduce. Zoo staff will lead small groups around the zoo, with emphasis on trying to locate some of our migrant birds. Children and all level of birders are welcome. Meet at the zoo’s South Entrance located at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N. The walk should last about two hours. Please bring binoculars and weather-appropriate clothing. Space limited to first 50 people who RSVP. Please call 206.548.2500 to reserve your spot. Cost: Free for members; the price of zoo admission for non-members. 

June-August - ZooTunes concert series

The ever-popular summer concert series is back for its 26th year, still offering the best concert bargain in the Pacific Northwest. Top artists and singer-songwriters perform outdoors in the zoo’s North Meadow with festival seating. Blankets, low-backed chairs and picnic baskets are welcome. Tickets go on sale May 4, 2009. Call 206.548.2500 for more information or visit the zoo’s website at www.zoo.org/zootunes.

June 6 - Bear Affair and Big Howl for Wolves, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

What happens when you don’t store food properly or haphazardly leave garbage around while camping in bear country? Your campsite, or your own backyard, will be crawling with bears, that’s what! Get a glimpse of what can happen as Woodland Park Zoo’s popular grizzly bear brothers tear into a “non-safe” campsite at Bear Affair, then learn what steps you can take to properly bear-proof your backyard or campsite. Plus, hear keeper talks with special enrichment treats for bears and wolves to learn what these animals need to survive in the wild and how we can all co-exist. Free with zoo admission. 

July 2, 3 - Red, White & Zoo, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

It’s a Fourth of July picnic as Woodland Park Zoo’s animals—orangutans, jaguars, hippos, pigs and more—are treated to star-shaped popsicles, watermelons or corn on the cob in celebration of Red, White & Zoo. Hear zookeepers talk about how treats and other activities are part of the zoo’s ongoing enrichment program to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally stimulated and engage visitors. Free with zoo admission.

July 10 - Woodland Park Zoo’s 33rd Annual Jungle Party, 4:30 – 10:00 p.m. (Zoo closes early at 3:00 p.m.)

It’s Woodland Park Zoo's 33rd Annual Jungle Party! Held on the zoo’s North Meadow, the evening's festivities include the opportunity to bid on several hundred exciting auction items and experiences, live entertainment, up-close animal experiences for patron guests, a gourmet sit-down dinner and open bars. More than 1,000 of the Northwest's civic and philanthropic leaders attend Jungle Party each summer, which raised more than $1.75 million last year. Under this year’s theme, A Global Affair: Celebrate the Wild and Rare, the fundraising auction and dinner supports the zoo's animal care and conservation and education programs. For more information, contact Jennifer Murphy at 206.548.2420, email jennifer.murphy@zoo.org or visit www.zoo.org/jungleparty.

July 10 - Zoo closes early for Jungle Party: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

 

August 15 - Snow Leopard Day, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Help celebrate snow leopards at the third annual Snow Leopard Day. Join our conservation partner, the Snow Leopard Trust, as we illustrate our ongoing support of snow leopard conservation and the many programs we jointly support. The festive day is full of activities including face painting, crafts and more. Free with zoo membership or admission. 

September 12, 13 - Back to School Enrichment for the Animals, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

As kids return to school, Woodland Park Zoo’s animals receive back to school-themed treats. Orangutans, bears, gorillas, pigs and more receive sack lunches, textbooks and more. The special treats are part of the zookeepers’ ongoing efforts to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally stimulated and engage zoo visitors. Free with zoo admission.

Winter Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily October 1 through April 30

October 23, 24, 25 - Pumpkin Prowl, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Three howling nights of treats for your little goblins, carved pumpkins and live entertainment. And be sure to check out Zoomazium transformed into Boomazium!

Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to wear costumes! Zoo memberships do not apply—this is an after-hours ticketed fundraiser. For more information, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500.

October 24, 25 - Pumpkin Bash, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Pumpkins abound at Woodland Park Zoo. Enjoy a repertoire of animal behavior as hippos, bears, elephants, monkeys, and other animals crunch, smash or stomp on pumpkins at the zoo’s Pumpkin Bash! The pumpkins are a part of the zookeepers’ ongoing efforts to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally and physically stimulated and engage zoo visitors. Free with zoo admission.

November 21 - Turkey Toss, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy the zoo’s animals diving into their own turkey feast. The turkey treats are a part of the zookeepers’ ongoing efforts to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally and physically stimulated and engage zoo visitors. Free with zoo admission.

December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 - Winter Celebration, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Some animals hibernate during the winter, but you don’t have to. During the winter school break, take a wildlife trek at Woodland Park Zoo’s Winter Celebration where you’ll enjoy a repertoire of animal behavior as selected animals receive holiday-themed treats such as wreaths with assorted fruit, evergreen trees with ornamental fruit, and boughs and wrapped boxes. Winter Celebration is part of the zoo’s ongoing enrichment program to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals, promote natural animal behavior, keep animals mentally stimulated and engage zoo visitors. Free with zoo admission.

General information

Hours: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily October 1 through April 30, and 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily May 1 through September 30. The zoo is open every day except Christmas Day.

Zoo admission: October 1–April 30: Adult (13–64) $11.00; Child (3–12) $8.00. May 1–September 30: Adult (13–64) $16.50; Child (3–12) $11. Free for children 2 and under year round. Seniors and people with disabilities receive a discount and zoo members receive free zoo admission year round.

Parking: October 1–April 30: $4.50; May 1–September 30: $5. Parking is limited. Please call Metro at 206.553.3000 for bus service to the zoo.

Gifts/Food: Visit the ZooStore for extraordinary gifts and zoo souvenirs and the Rain Forest Food Pavilion to quench your thirst or appetite. Open daily during regular zoo hours.

Info: For more information or to become a zoo member, call 206.548.2500 or 548.2599 (TTY), or visit the zoo’s website at www.zoo.org.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos all over the world. Conservation, education and excellent animal care are at the core of the zoo’s mission. The zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring people to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.

Woodland Park Zoo · 601 North 59th Street · Seattle, Washington 98103

206 548 2500 · Fax 206 548 1536 · TTY 206 548 2599  · www.zoo.org