Dinosaur Expedition presented by Mathis Home, fan favorite events, new attractions and programs make the OKC Zoo a popular destination this April!

 

OPEN DAILY NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 1: OKC ZOO’S DINOSAUR EXPEDITION PRESENTED BY MATHIS HOME

Experience the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Dinosaur Expedition and see what everyone is roaring about! Dinosaur Expedition, presented by Mathis Home, is an immersive exhibit that connects people to the age of dinosaurs as they discover over 60 life-sized animatronics dinosaurs, dino skeletons, and interactive fossil digs throughout the exhibit walkway. Dinosaur Expedition also features dino-themed children’s rides and a new VR experience Dinosaur: Evolution, narrated by renown paleontologist Dr. Phillip Manning, located in the Love’s Pachyderm Building. These rides will only be available for the duration of Dinosaur Expedition, additional costs apply. Single entry tickets to Dinosaur Expedition are $9 per person ages 3 and up ($7 for ZOOfriends members). General Zoo admission is also required. Single rides are $6, or try a ride package with three rides for $15. Guests can bundle their experiences for additional savings by purchasing an “adventure ticket” which includes unlimited same-day entry to Dinosaur Expedition, Explorikeet feedings, and Endangered Species Carousel rides for $15 per person ages 3 and up (or $12 per person for ZOOfriends members). ZOOfriends members can keep the fun roaring with a Season Pass at just $28 per person for unlimited visits. Dinosaur Expedition is located adjacent to the Zoo’s Jungle Gym Playground and will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sunday, November 1, 2026. Dinosaur Expedition sponsors include Mathis Home and Continental Resources.

 

 

TICKETS ON SALE FOR OKC ZOO’S BREAKFAST WITH THE ANIMALS, SATURDAY MORNINGS IN MAY

Bring your appetite and sense of adventure for Oklahoma City Zoo’s Breakfast with the Animals. Tickets are on sale now for these family-friendly events occurring every Saturday morning in May (2, 9, 16, 23, and 30) starting at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet while hearing from Zoo caretakers and seeing ambassador animals from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the reimagined Love’s Pachyderm Building at Expedition Africa. Breakfast includes French toast bread pudding, yogurt, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, and coffee provided by Scooters Coffee. Guests can participate in an animal feeding with either a giraffe, Galapagos tortoise, or flamingo, included in the price of the ticket. Tickets include Zoo admission and are $58 each for adults ages 12 and older ($37 for ZOOfriends members) and $48 each for children ages 3-11 ($31 for ZOOfriends members). Breakfast with the Animals is an event with purpose as $2 from every ticket sold supports gorilla conservation. Purchase tickets for Breakfast with the Animals at okczoo.org/breakfast. Seating is limited and first come first served.

 

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 2: OKC ZOO HOSTS STROLLER MEET UPS PRESENTED BY MERCY

Roll out for a morning of fun at the OKC Zoo with Stroller Meet Ups presented by Mercy. Mercy’s 2026 Stroller Meet Ups kick off on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. with additional events happening in May, June, September, and October. Representatives from Mercy will be available at the beginning the meet ups to talk with participants and answer questions about pediatric care and health, then guests are welcome to set out and stroll the Zoo. Registration for Stroller Meet Ups is free but reservations are limited. Sign up at Stroller Meet Ups presented by Mercy.

 

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 3: TICKETS ON SALE FOR OKC ZOO’S SIP AND STROLL, 21+ EVENT SERIES

Sip and Stroll at the Zoo, Oklahoma City’s most anticipated 21-and-older events, returns for six nights in May and June. Now in its seventh year, Sip and Stroll is a series of 21-and-older events featuring specialty cocktails and mocktails and tasty food items with fun themes and activities unique to the OKC Zoo. Revelers will connect to the Zoo’s amazing animals while exploring the park after hours, kid free! 2026 Sip and Stroll dates are May 8, 15, and 22 and June 12, 19, and 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly.  General admission for Sip and Stroll is $25 per person for nonmembers and $20 per person for ZOOfriends members. Entry to the event includes access to a special Asian elephant presentation, the Primrose Schools Children’s Zoo barnyard, the Endangered Species Carousel, and more. Sip and Stroll is also a conservation event with $2 from every ticket going to support wildlife conservation. Friday, June 19 is the Zoo’s PRIDE Sip and Stroll celebration complete with a drag show performance and fun PRIDE cocktails, plus, information stations hosted by queer community organizations. Event tickets plus food and drink packages go live on Friday, April 3 at okczoo.org/sipandstroll.

 

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 5: OKC ZOO HOSTS SENSORY-FRIENDLY HOUR FOR DINOSAUR EXPEDITION

Beginning Sunday, April 5, and continuing on the first Sunday of the month through November, the Oklahoma City Zoo will host a Sensory-Friendly hour for Dinosaur Expedition from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. During this hour, guests will experience a less-stimulating sensory environment while discovering Dinosaur Expedition, presented by Mathis Home, as all dinosaur movement, sounds, and effects will be turned off. Reserve your OKC Zoo admission and Dinosaur Expedition tickets at okczoo.org/dinosaurs.

 

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 7 OR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8: OKC ZOO VOLUNTEER PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS

If you are interested in learning more about the Oklahoma City Zoo’s unique volunteer opportunities and meaningful ways to serve your community all year round, plan to attend an upcoming Volunteer Information Session. Attend one of the OKC Zoo’s information sessions on Tuesday, April 7 or Wednesday, April 8, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each night at the Rosser Conservation Education Center. These sessions are open to the public, giving new and returning volunteers a chance to learn more about volunteering at the Zoo, those interested in the program only need to attend one session. The OKC Zoo is wild about its volunteers and the vital role they play in in engaging and educating guests about conserving wildlife and wild places. The Zoo’s volunteer crew is calling you! Register today to attend either session at https://bit.ly/3KWfp57.

 

 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8: OKC ZOO LOVERS DAY

Brighten the future for wildlife on Zoo Lovers Day! Oklahoma Zoological Society (OZS)’s OKC Zoo Lovers Day is Wednesday, April 8, 2026, a day dedicated to raising funds in support of the OKC Zoo, its animal programs, future expansions, and conservation efforts. With $10,000 in matching funds from OZS Board Member, Christina Juris Bennett, and local QDOBA Mexican Eats restaurants, Zoo supporters can make double the impact with their gifts during OKC Zoo Lovers Day. With gifts of $100 or more, supporters have an opportunity to receive exclusive offers including entries into a drawing to win a behind-the-scenes Zoo encounter or a limited-edition Zoo Lovers Day T-shirt inspired by the Zoo’s male Sumatran tiger cub, Lucanus, born on December 15, 2025, to mom, Lola. Opportunities to give can also be made by dining at or placing an online order from any of 19 participating QDOBA locations in Oklahoma and Texas. This opportunity with Zoo Lovers Day is only available on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with 25 percent of purchases made at participating QDOBA locations being donated to the Zoo. For additional information about Zoo Lovers Day or to donate directly, visit ozsgiving.org/zld26.

 

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 12: OKC ZOOFRIENDS PASSPORT PERK, FREE WILDFLOWER SEEDS

Oklahoma City Zoo members receive Passport Perks all year with each month featuring an exclusive offer or giveaway just for ZOOfriends! April’s Passport Perk is happening on Sunday, April 12 and members will receive a free packet of wildflower pollinator seeds. One packet per Passport. Monthly Passport Perks are subject to availability, animal participation, and weather conditions.  See the full Passport Perks calendar and mark your calendar for our upcoming dates.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, MAY 3: OKC ZOO HOSTS BIRD AWARENESS DAY ACTIVITIES FROM 9:30 AM TO NOON

The Oklahoma City Zoo’s popular Animal Awareness Days are back starting in May with a focus on birds! Saturday, May 3, 2025 is Bird Awareness Day, so guests should take a gander at the activities planned and happening at the Primrose Schools Children’s Zoo and Dan Moran Aviary areas. It’s a great chance to learn from the OKC Zoo’s bird care team about the many feathered friends who call the Zoo home. Be sure to grab a free water bottle sponsored of Shape Your Future, a program of TSET, while supplies last.

All event activities are free with Zoo admission and take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

 

 

OKC ZOO SUMMER CAMP SIGN-UPS OPEN

Spark your child’s curiosity about the natural world around them with the Oklahoma City Zoo’s award-winning Summer Camp program. Enrollment is now open for these weekly camps created for kids ages 5-17 with themes including Zooperheroes, Not-So-Creepy Crawlies, Camp Eco-Logical, and more. Class sizes are limited, so sign up early to ensure your kids have a spot. Each week-long day camp is $300 per camper ($270 per camper for ZOOfriends members). Visit okczoo.org/summer-camps to learn more and sign up. If you're seeking summer camp care for early childhood children ages 2-4, please get in touch with preschool@okczoo.org or call (405) 425-0597 to explore enrollment options. To learn more about our early childhood programs, visit okczoo.org/preschool.

 

 

LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS WITH CARETAKER CHATS

Get to know the Zoo’s animal family from the people who know them best: the caretakers! Caretaker Chats are a chance to ask questions, get behind-the-scenes information, and get better acquainted with the animals.

  • African Hoofstock (rotates throughout Baobab Plaza animals) / 10 a.m.
  • Asian Elephants (Sanctuary Asia) / Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.
  • Vet Talk (Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital) / 11:30 a.m.
  • Dwarf Mongoose (Love's Pachyderm) / Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.
  • Lungfish (Love's Pachyderm) / Thursday-Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
  • Apes (Chimp Interpretive Center) / 2:30 p.m.
  • Starting Saturday, April 4–Birds (Dan Moran Aviary) / Saturday-Sunday, 3 p.m.

 

 

OKC ZOO ATTRACTION HOURS

There’s always something happening at the OKC Zoo. All attractions and activities are dependent on weather and animal participation.

  • Scooter Pals: Take a ride on the wild side with the OKC Zoo’s new Scooter Pals. This new mobile entertainment opportunity is a fun way for guests 16 and older to explore the park. Scooter Pals are animal themed and available to rent daily weather permitting, located in the Zoo’s entry plaza. Cost is $5 activation fee, $0.35/minute.  
  • Primrose Schools Children’s Zoo Barnyard: The Primrose Schools Barnyard is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Elephant Express Tram: Take the tram for a relaxing, informative tour of the Zoo. Rides offered daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All day bracelets are $6 per person. Children two and under free. 
  • Elephant Presentations: Head to the Inasmuch Elephant Pavilion for the free-to-attend elephant presentation in Sanctuary Asia at 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 
  • Endangered Species Carousel: Carousel rides are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $4 per person. 
  • Lorikeet Feedings: These feathered favorites are waiting to meet you! Feeding opportunities are available daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $4 per person. Participants under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. 
  • Virtual Reality Wildlife Experiences: Guests can experience two different and immersive encounters with wildlife with the help of virtual reality (VR). Gorilla Trek VR presents the life of gorillas in the Rwandan jungle and The Great Migration VR puts guests among African wildlife on their annual migratory journey. Each experience offers 360-degree live-action virtual reality film with surround sound and motion! Open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $8 per person. 
  • Rhino Feedings: Discover this memorable experience with one of the largest residents at the Zoo – an Indian rhino! Feeding opportunities available weekends (Thurs.–Sun.) from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at Sanctuary Asia. Cost is $10 per person. 
  • Flamingo Mingle: Flock to the Flamingo Mingle feeding daily from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Cost is $5 per person.
  • Giraffe Feeding: Feed our tallest friends during the Giraffe Feeding Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m. Cost is $5 per person.
  • Cassowary Feeding: Meet the big birds of Sanctuary Asia. Feedings are 2:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $5 per person. 

 

 

The OKC Zoo is located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35 and a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 4 p.m. Purchase Zoo admission in advance at okczoo.org/tickets to avoid the entry lines. Stay in the know on all things OKC Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, Linktree, TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories.

 

Experience the OKC Zoo as only a ZOOfriends member can! With a ZOOfriends membership, enjoy free general admission to the Zoo for 12 months, plus additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming, and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at okczoo.org/membership.