July 14, 2026

Philadelphia Zoo Debuts Zoo360 Trail for Bears

July 14, 2026/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Guest User

Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to share that its new resident bears are now exploring the Zoo’s first Zoo360 trail for bears and spending time in a brand-new habitat built as a part of Francis J. Carey Bear Country. Gould & Potter Crossing, 60 feet long and 16 feet in the air, is the latest in the expansion of the Zoo360 trails at Philadelphia Zoo that began in 2011 and the first one that the Zoo’s resident bears can use. Carey Bear Country is a $25 million state-of-the-art facility built with the highest standards of animal care in mind, making it one of the best in the country for vulnerable bears. Not only does Carey Bear Country enhance the Zoo’s animal care program, it creates a dynamic, memorable and educational experience for guests of all ages and backgrounds, and supports the Zoo’s conservation programs to protect these species in zoos and in the wild. Carey Bear Country is currently home to Andean bears, Turbo and Alba, and sloth bear, Bhalu.

June 26, 2026

Philadelphia Zoo Announces Biggest Sale in 153 Years for America 250

June 26, 2026/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Guest User

Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first zoo, is offering locals and tourists to the region the chance to visit the Zoo at its best prices of the year to celebrate America 250 and the Zoo’s 153rd grand opening anniversary. For just five days, guests can enjoy 25% off all general admission tickets on Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5 with code 4JULY25. Ticket prices vary from $21-29.50 for adults and $17-24 for children. The sale starts Saturday, June 27.

June 18, 2026

Philly's Largest Beer Festival Returns to Philadelphia Zoo: Summer Ale Fest is Back

June 18, 2026/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Guest User

Get ready to go wild at Philadelphia Zoo’s favorite summer bash! Summer Ale Festival is back on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with over 100 beers, ciders, seltzers, meads, teas, spirits and non-alcoholic options, including 13 new vendors. This fan-favorite event is the only place in the region where you can sip with snow leopards, toast near tigers and cheers with Andean bears!

June 08, 2026

Philadelphia Zoo Announces Soccer Shop Debut, Fan Fest Parking and 60 World Cup Animals

June 08, 2026/ Aversa PR & Events/ Guest User

Philadelphia Zoo is ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of guests from around the globe as locals and tourists from across the city and region begin to celebrate the arrival of the FIFA World Cup and America 250. At the Zoo, guests can meet 60 species that are native to the nations playing at Lincoln Financial Field throughout the tournament: Brazil, Croatia, Curacao, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Haiti and Ivory Coast. Plus, the Zoo has opened a brand-new gift shop, Destination Philadelphia, that has everything needed to cheer on Team USA for the World Cup and celebrate America 250. And, the Zoo is offering parking to visitors looking to visit FIFA Fan Festival. Philadelpiha Zoo also is proud to present their Philly Pherris Wheel specially open for America 250 and World Cup visitors this spring at 110 feet / 10 stories tall with epic views of Philadelphia. Carey Bear Country just opened in time for World Cup visitors - and penguins and Zootopiaries have returned to the Zoo for FIFA and America 250.

February 08, 2026

Philadelphia Zoo Announces 250,000 Actions for Animals Initiative for America 250

February 08, 2026/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary and bring together its community, Philadelphia Zoo is issuing a challenge to help it complete 250,000 Actions for Animals before the end of 2026. This campaign will not just save animals, but create a cleaner and greener space for the humans that call Philadelphia and beyond home. Part of the Zoo’s mission is to share its passion for conservation to save wildlife, and this challenge is designed to get people thinking differently about the ways they can thrive alongside the natural world. Actions for Animals include activities like cleaning up litter, planting native plants, participating in wildlife surveys, and much more, including opportunities to partner with the Zoo on projects around its 42-acre campus. This challenge is a part of the hundreds of events celebrating America's 250th anniversary in Philadelphia throughout 2026.

August 14, 2024

Philadelphia Zoo Celebrates Public Debut of Baby Sumatran Orangutan

August 14, 2024/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to celebrate the public debut of its critically endangered Sumatran orangutan baby. The animal team has determined the baby is a boy and have named him Jambi after a city on the island of Sumatra where this species is native. Born to the Zoo’s 31-year-old female Tua and 28-year-old male, Sugi, on June 26, the infant continues to look strong, and Tua continues to be an excellent mother, nursing and holding the baby at all times.

April 09, 2024

Philadelphia Zoo and Craft Hospitality Announce Philly Wine Fest 2024

April 09, 2024/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo is partnering with Craft Hospitality to bring a fabulous selection of wines to the Zoo for Philly Wine Fest: Spring Edition on Saturday, May 18. More than two dozen wineries will be pouring a wide selection of specially curated seasonal reds, whites, rosés and more. The event will take place on the Zoo’s Impala Lawn with live entertainment performing throughout the day on Impala Stage. Guests are invited to choose from two sessions, 1:00-3:00pm or 4:30-6:30pm, with Early Access options available for admission an hour before the rest of the crowd. This adults-only event is limited to those 21 or older with valid identification. Tickets to the Philly Wine Fest also grant attendees complimentary access to visit the Philadelphia Zoo any time prior to their Philly Wine Fest session time.

February 17, 2023

Philadelphia Zoo Announces Birth of Two Sloth Bear Cubs

February 17, 2023/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of two threatened sloth bear cubs. The cubs were born January 2, 2023, at 3:53am and 4:16am to 10-year-old mom Kayla and 10-year-old dad Bhalu. This is the second successful birth of this species at the Zoo in the last four years, and marks the first successful pair of cubs of this species born in more than 30 years at the Zoo. Mom and cubs are doing well and the Zoo's animal team continues to monitor their health via camera in their behind-the-scenes den. Kayla is showing great maternal behavior and has been in constant physical contact with the infants since birth. The sex of the cubs has not yet been determined and names have not been chosen. They will NOT be visible to the public until April when mom decides it is time for them to venture out.

January 24, 2023

Airports and Armadillos: Philadelphia Zoo Teams Up with PHL International to Bring Animals to Airport

January 24, 2023/ Philadelphia International Airport/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo’s education team and animal ambassadors are connecting travelers to species from around the globe. The partnership, which started in 2019 and then was paused by the COVID-19 pandemic, is now back on a regular schedule to delight travelers and create joyful discovery of animals and habitats. Each month, the Philadelphia Zoo team will bring in ambassador animals to teach (and surprise) travelers as they wait for their flight, grab something to eat, or simply travel from security to their gate.

October 10, 2022

Philadelphia Zoo Lights Up Million Holiday Lights for LumiNature

October 10, 2022/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo’s dazzling winter light show experience is back! LumiNature returns for another season of breathtaking sights, sounds and surprises from Thursday, November 17, 2022 to Saturday, January 7, 2023. With more than a million twinkling lights across 14 one-of-a-kind artistically illuminated zones, LumiNature is sure to wow adults and children alike as they take a magical journey celebrating the wonder of wildlife and the beauty of our planet during the holiday season. Highlights will include a brand new Penguin Prismatic show featuring a 40 ft. tall penguin, plus a new coral and under the sea holiday tree, a new 15 foot tall glowing blue gorilla, 100 ft-long aquarium tunnel, enormous jellyfish, a 21-feet tall brilliant colored snake, hundreds of illuminated penguins, giant cat eyes glowing in the dark of night, a 22-feet-tall Butterfly Tree, a Wilderness Express Train, and a 25-foot tree made entirely of lit flamingo lawn ornaments. LumiNature is a nighttime experience, with timed entrance tickets available every half hour from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. All guests must pre-purchase timed-tickets at philadelphiazoo.org/luminature.