LumiNature Returns to Philadelphia Zoo Starting Nov. 19 with An All-New Holiday Story

/ Philadelphia Zoo/
LumiNature Returns to Philadelphia Zoo Starting Nov. 19 with An All-New Holiday Story

Forget toys, games, and the latest electronics. This holiday season, the wish lists at Philadelphia Zoo look a little different. LumiNature, presented by PNC Bank, returns Thursday, November 19, 2026 with an all-new interactive holiday adventure inspired by the animals who call the Zoo home. Throughout the Zoo, larger-than-life illuminated letters to Santa Claws reveal the animals’ holiday wishes, inspired by their unique personalities and favorite things. Guests can follow those wishes through 14 enchanting stops filled with one million dazzling lights, festive sounds, and interactive surprises. Upon arrival, guests will receive a Book of Wishes to reveal clues and capture discoveries throughout their journey as a holiday keepsake. LumiNature opens Thursday, November 19 and runs most nights through Saturday, January 9 from 5:00 to 9:00pm. Timed and anytime tickets are now on sale at philadelphiazoo.org. Philadelphia Zoo is located at the corner of 34th Street and Girard Avenue in Philadelphia’s historic Fairmount Park at 3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Read More

Boo at Philadelphia Zoo Expands: Five Weekends, Pumpkin Feedings, Fall Surprises, Costume Contests

/ Philadelphia Zoo/
Boo at Philadelphia Zoo Expands: Five Weekends, Pumpkin Feedings, Fall Surprises, Costume Contests

Philadelphia Zoo’s quintessential, family-friendly Halloween extravaganza, Boo at the Zoo, is back every weekend this October (plus Indigenous Peoples' Day) for the first time in its over 20-year history! These fun-filled weekends include incredible costumes, festive fall treats and fang-tastic fun. Bring a candy bag, come dressed in your favorite costume, trick-or-treat around the Zoo, enjoy seasonal décor, boo-tiful autumn weather, Howl-oween children's activities and have a spooktacular time. New for 2026, ride the Pherris Wheel for a fall view 10 stories up, visit Trick-or-Tree House, take a ride on the SEPTA PZ "Boo" Choo Train, check out Cryptic Creatures and Frightful Flora, visit early with new fall wildlife morning tours and enjoy the Teal Pumpkin Project for those with food allergies. For returning fall favorites, look for a full line-up of pumpkin feedings and animal enrichments, including hippos, big cats, aquatic turtles, orangutans, gorillas, birds, giant tortoises and Rodrigues fruit bats.

Read More

Philadelphia Zoo Will Host 1920s After-Hours Mystery Adventure

/ Philadelphia Zoo/
Philadelphia Zoo Will Host 1920s After-Hours Mystery Adventure

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of mystery and excitement at Philadelphia Zoo! The third annual “Zoo Done It?," in partnership with Without a Cue Productions, will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 5:30-8:30pm. New for this year, guests 16+ are welcome to this after-hours scavenger hunt and mystery experience that gives them the chance to uncover the secrets hidden within the Zoo’s enchanting grounds as they embark on a special quest. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their best 1920’s apparel (with comfortable shoes, of course!).  Participants will try to solve the mystery with one winning an exclusive chance to return to the Zoo for spooky season and enjoy a private guided tour of The Solitude, a famous American historic landmark which is believed to be haunted. 

Read More

Philadelphia Zoo Debuts Zoo360 Trail for Bears

/ Philadelphia Zoo/
Philadelphia Zoo Debuts Zoo360 Trail for Bears

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.

Read More

Philadelphia Zoo Announces Biggest Sale in 153 Years for America 250

/ Philadelphia Zoo/
Philadelphia Zoo Announces Biggest Sale in 153 Years for America 250

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.

Read More

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

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

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!

Read More

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

/ Aversa PR & Events/
Philadelphia Zoo Announces Soccer Shop Debut, Fan Fest Parking and 60 World Cup Animals

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.

Read More

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

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

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.

Read More

Philadelphia Zoo Celebrates Public Debut of Baby Sumatran Orangutan

/ Philadelphia Zoo/
Philadelphia Zoo Celebrates Public Debut of Baby Sumatran Orangutan

 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.

Read More