SATURDAY, MAY 25 THROUGH MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: EARLY ZOO HOURS FOR ZOOFRIENDS MEMBERS ONLY

Beginning Saturday, May 25 and continuing through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, ZOOfriends members will enjoy early access into the Oklahoma City Zoo with gates opening at 8:30 a.m. daily. This special perk is for ZOOfriends members only with proof of a current membership passport. The Zoo closes daily at 5 p.m. with last entry at 4 p.m. Support your love and passion for wildlife and wild places with a ZOOfriends Membership Passport to the OKC Zoo. There’s a membership level for every kind of explorer with amazing benefits and each plan pays for itself in four or fewer visits. Plus, you are supporting the OKC Zoo, its animals, programs, and conservation efforts! Memberships can be purchased at www.okczoo.org/membership.  

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 1: OKC ZOO HOSTS WORLD GIRAFFE DAY ACTIVITIES FROM 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

The days are long, but their necks are longer! Celebrate World Giraffe Day at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Make your way to Expedition Africa, presented by Inasmuch Foundation, to learn more about the Zoo’s tallest residents with caretaker chats, enrichment events, and more activities than you can shake a tail at. The Oklahoma Zoological Society is celebrating with opportunities to support giraffe conservation. Those who make a $25 donation to conservation will receive a giraffe plush. On Saturday, Zoo guests will receive a free water bottle courtesy of Shape Your Future, a program of TSET, while supplies last. Water bottles will be given away beginning at 9 a.m. as guests enter the park. World Giraffe Day activities are free with regular admission.

 

MONDAY, JUNE 3: READ FOR ADVENTURE, SPONSORED BY OG&E, BEGINS

Across the state, public libraries will begin the 2024-2025 Read for Adventure season, sponsored by OG&E. Library card holders who check out the original children’s book, Juniper’s Butterfly Garden—A Small Start for a Better World, from participating Oklahoma public or tribal libraries will receive a voucher redeemable for free general admission to the OKC Zoo for up to four people (child, adult, or senior). Since the program began seven years ago, more than 60,000 Oklahomans have had the opportunity to visit the Zoo at no cost. For additional details about Read for Adventure, including a downloadable coloring page and list of participating libraries, visit www.okczoo.org/readforadventure.

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 8: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) INTERPRETERS AT THE OKC ZOO

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to create an enhanced Zoo visit for guests who are deaf and hard of hearing. ASL interpreters are available at the Zoo on the second Saturday including June 8, every month through October, and present at the elephant presentations, select caretaker chats, and scheduled Wild Encounter experiences. Zoo guests are not charged a fee for the use of an ASL interpreter. Elephant presentations are free to attend and occur at 2 p.m. in the elephant pavilion at Sanctuary Asia. For a complete listing of available Wild Encounters visit okczoo.org.

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 8 FROM 10 A.M. TO 1 P.M.: COMMUNITY FIX-IT & FLOWER FESTIVAL

Join the OKC Zoo and community partners at the Northeast Health and Wellness Center, 3748 N. Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City, for the 2024 Fix-It & Flower Festival. The first 100 attendees will receive a nectar plant, a milkweed plant, a grow bag, and soil to help start or expand a pollinator garden. Additional native plants will be available for purchase at a discount. In addition to garden supplies, the event will also offer free basic sewing repairs on a first-come, first-served basis. Repairs are limited to mending rips and tears and simple hemlines. No leather, zipper replacements, or alterations are available. Follow the Zoo’s socials at @okczoo to learn more.

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 21, and 28, 6 TO 10 P.M.: OKC ZOO’S SIP AND STROLL, 21+ EVENT SERIES, PRESENTED BY COOP ALE WORKS

The Oklahoma City Zoo’s 5th annual Sip and Stroll season presented by COOP Ale Works returns bigger and better than ever. Event goers 21 and older are invited to enjoy evenings of tasty treats and refreshing libations on Friday evenings June 14, 21, and 28, from 6 to 10 p.m. each night. Sip and Stroll connects guests to the Zoo’s wondrous wildlife while they enjoy time strolling through the park. Along the way, guests can quench their thirst at numerous bars and grab delicious bites including hot honey chicken biscuits, carnitas street tacos, pork belly steamed buns, and more! Sip and Stroll is also an event with a purpose: $2 from every ticket goes to support the Zoo’s conservation efforts for Texas horned lizards. Friday, June 21 is our PRIDE Sip and Stroll celebration complete with a drag show performance and fun PRIDE cocktails, plus information stations hosted by queer community organizations. General admission for Sip and Stroll is $22 per person for nonmembers and $17 per person for ZOOfriends members. Tickets and food and drink packages are on sale now at www.okczoo.org/our-events/events/sip-and-stroll.

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 29-30 FROM 7 P.M. TO 9 A.M.: CARNIVORE CONUNDRUM FAMILY OVERNIGHT

When the sun sets, the OKC Zoo takes on a new air of mystery and excitement. Enjoy an entirely new Zoo experience with the Carnivore Conundrum Family Overnight. Guests will embark on a twilight safari accompanied by the Zoo’s knowledgeable guides to see wildlife in a new light. In addition to the education program, participants get an up-close encounter with one of the Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors. The cost is $45 per person (30 guests maximum). Overnights are suggested for ages four and up and run from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. www.okczoo.org/private-overnights

 

MONDAY, JULY 1 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, JULY 31: OKC ZOO INVITES YOU TAKE THE PLASTIC FREE ECOCHALLENGE, HELP REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

Be part of the solution to end plastic pollution and take the Plastic Free Ecochallenge. Join the Oklahoma City Zoo’s team and global participants in support of this united challenge occurring the month of July. This initiative encourages and empowers participants to become more eco-conscious by making decisions to eliminate single-use plastics in daily actions. Plastic items like grocery bags, straws and coffee cups are creating huge ecological harm, especially in oceans and other aquatic habitats. This includes our streams, rivers and lakes in Oklahoma where plastic trash is a common sight. The hope is that participants change their behaviors towards plastic use in order to benefit the world and all living things. By joining the OKC Zoo team, you can choose daily actions and earn eco-points for each ecofriendly decision you make. Make the choice to support the “Plastic Free” challenge and join the OKC Zoo’s team beginning July 1 at Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2024 - OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden.

 

THURSDAY, JULY 4: WATER, MUD, AND BUBBLES ANIMAL ENRICHMENT DAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

Oklahoma summers are scorchers for everyone, including animals! See how the residents of the OKC Zoo stay cool with enrichment events beginning at 9 a.m. Caretakers will set up fun-in-the-sun treats and tasks to keep the animals interested and engaged while chilling out. Guests are also encouraged to stay cool by bringing or purchasing reusable water bottles and using ten free water bottle refill stations throughout the park sponsored by Shape Your Future, a program of TSET.

 

SATURDAY, JULY 6: OKC ZOO HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY ACTIVITIES FROM 10 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

Everyone will be feline good as the Zoo celebrates International Cat Day on July 6. Pad on down to Lion Overlook and Cat Forest to learn more about the Zoo’s purr-fect felids. Enjoy caretaker chats, wild cat trivia, and more. The Oklahoma Zoological Society is raising money for conservation with lion and tiger plush adoptions. Guests who donate $25 or more for conservation receive their choice of a lion or tiger plush. On Saturday, Zoo guests will receive a free water bottle courtesy of Shape Your Future, a program of TSET, while supplies last. Water bottles will be given away beginning at 9 a.m. as guests enter the park. International Cat Day activities are free with regular admission.

 

SATURDAY, JULY 13: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) INTERPRETERS AT THE OKC ZOO

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to create an enhanced Zoo visit for guests who are deaf and hard of hearing. ASL interpreters are available at the Zoo on the second Saturday including July 13, every month through October, and present at the elephant presentations, select caretaker chats, and scheduled Wild Encounter experiences. Zoo guests are not charged a fee for the use of an ASL interpreter. Elephant presentations are free to attend and occur at 2 p.m. in the elephant pavilion at Sanctuary Asia. For a complete listing of available Wild Encounters visit okczoo.org.

 

FRIDAY, JULY 19: ANNUAL BOWLING FOR RHINOS FUNDRAISER AT BOWLERO EDMOND FROM 6:30 TO 10 P.M.

Spare a night to support Bowling for Rhinos and help protect wild rhino populations! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and the Oklahoma Zoological Society (OZS) is inviting Oklahomans to help strike out extinction and score a win for rhino conservation at their annual fundraiser. Join us for this in-person bowling event on Friday, July 19 at Bowlero, 3501 S. Blvd., Edmond from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Since 1995, the OKC Zoo’s AAZK chapter has hosted this beloved bowl-a-thon, inspiring Oklahomans to take action for protecting rhinos and their habitats by enjoying a favorite pastime, bowling! Bowling for Rhinos is perfect for wildlife fans of all ages. Families, teams and individuals are welcome to participate. Tickets are on sale beginning Friday, May 24. Learn more at www.ozsgiving.org.

 

ONGOING: NATURE EXPLORERS PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION AND BUTTERFLY SALE

OKC Zoo’s Nature Explorers Preschool is moving to a dedicated space with more classrooms, common areas, and a nature-based outdoor learning area where students will spend most of their days. The new school is being constructed adjacent to the Zoo's administration building. Nature Explorers Preschool is currently enrolling for full-time care with classes beginning August 12, 2024. Students in the nature-based preschool program spend 75 percent of their time outdoors with curriculum blending classroom learning with experiences in nature so children can learn about animals, habitats, and the important work of conservation. Preschool hours are Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.okczoo.org/preschool to learn more and sign up.

 

The new facility will include a permanent butterfly art piece. Donors who make a gift of $250 or more to support this innovative new learning center have the opportunity to have their family’s or child’s name on a butterfly emblem as part of the installation inside the doors of the preschool. There are only 150 butterflies available for this inaugural piece. To make a donation visit Nature Explorers Preschool (speakcreative.com).

 

ONGOING: OKC ZOO HALF-DAY ASSISTANT ZOO CARETAKER CAMP FOR AGES 13-17

Learning doesn’t end during the summer at the OKC Zoo. Enrollment is now open for the Zoo’s award-winning Summer Camp program. Does your 13-17 year old want to be an animal caretaker? Explore the wild world of animal caretaking while working alongside the experts. Half-day camps run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. New camps opened up for the week of July 15-19 and 22-26. This week-long half-day camps is $500 ($450 for ZOOfriends members). Visit www.okczoo.org/summer-camps to learn more and sign up.

 

ONGOING: OUTREACH ZOO TO YOU!

Bring the OKC Zoo to your community this summer! Go beyond the classroom with Summer Outreach Programs, tailored to fit camp themes, community gatherings, and corporate events. These programs are created for all audiences. Discover the secret skills of animals, inventions inspired by nature, and what it means to be a conservationist! All programs include Biofacts, a structured curriculum, and Animal Ambassador Encounters. www.okczoo.org/zoobaru-outreach

 

ONGOING: OKC ZOO SUMMER ATTRACTION TIMES

  • NEW 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 18 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.  
  • Children’s Zoo Barnyard (Children’s Zoo) is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is free to enjoy.
  • 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 are free to attend and take place at Sanctuary Asia, elephant habitat at 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Memorial Day (May 27), Independence Day (July 4), and Labor Day (September 2). 
  • Endangered Species Carousel: Carousel rides are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 430 p.m. Cost is $4 per person. 
  • Explorikeet Feedings (Children’s Zoo): These feathered favorites are waiting to meet you! Feeding opportunities are available daily from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $4 per person. Participants under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. 
  • Gorilla Trek VR: Experience the life of gorillas in the jungle with this 360-degree live action virtual reality film with motion platform seating. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $8 per person. 
  • Rhino Feedings:  Discover this memorable experience with one of the most magical residents at the Zoo–an Indian rhino! Feeding opportunities available Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to noon. at Sanctuary Asia. Cost is $10 per person. 
  • Stingray Bay: Our stingrays will bring a smile to your face! Stingray Bay is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $4 per person to enter. Stingray feedings occur 10:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 2 p.m. daily, while supplies last, for an additional $3 per person.
  • Flamingo Mingle: Flock to the Flamingo Mingle feeding daily from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and 3:30 to 4 p.m. Cost is $5 per person.
  • Giraffe Feeding: Feed our tallest friends during the Giraffe Feeding from 2 to 3 p.m. daily and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to noon. Cost is $5 per person.
  • Camel Rides: Camel Rides are available the OKC Zoo daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $8 per person.

 

The Oklahoma City Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry no later than 4 p.m. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. Zoo admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Membership has its perks! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission all year-long, plus many 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 www.okczoo.org/membership. 

 

Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, X, Instagram, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. To learn more about Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.