June 09, 2026

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

June 09, 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.

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.

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.

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.

April 18, 2022

Philadelphia Zoo Debuts NatureBlazer Adventures and Announces Mommy's 90th Anniversary

April 18, 2022/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

Spring is the perfect time to visit the Zoo! The weather is warmer, the animals are active and guests can stroll the beautiful campus and experience magnificent wildlife. “We are thrilled to welcome guests and launch the season,” says Amy Shearer, Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer. “It is a wonderful time to visit, the gardens are in bloom and there are so many new things to see. I really can’t think of a better day than being outdoors, enjoying nature, seeing amazing wildlife and making lifelong memories!” said Shearer.

October 10, 2021

Philadelphia Zoo Lights Up A Million Holiday Lights for Dazzling Return of LumiNature

October 10, 2021/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Guest User

Philadelphia Zoo (3400 W. Girard) announces the dazzling return of LumiNature Presented by Chase, from November 18th to January 9th. The giant-sized holiday extravaganza will transform the entire Zoo into a dazzling winter wonderland. Guests will experience a magical journey of lights, music, sounds and surprises. LumiNature will feature 14 illuminated experience zones that will feature lively themed displays, newly-enhanced installations and hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. Highlights will include a 100 ft-long aquarium tunnel, enormous jellyfish, a brand new octopus tree, 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 new Wilderness Express Train, and a 25-foot tree made entirely of lit flamingo lawn ornaments.

March 08, 2021

Philadelphia Zoo Announces Return of Cherished Zoo Keys Plus Unveils Limited Edition Dino-Key

March 08, 2021/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Guest User

Philadelphia Zoo (3400 W. Girard Avenue) announced today the return of the famous Zoo Key and talking story books, plus the addition of a new, limited-edition Dino-Key. Back by popular demand, the animal–shaped Zoo Keys will be able to be used at solar-powered audio boxes situated around the Zoo campus. Beginning March 25th, guests can use their Zoo Keys to unlock all new stories and secret tales about the magnificent creatures living at the Zoo. The new Dino-Key will unleash amazing stories of when dinosaurs and other massive creatures roamed the Earth in prehistoric times. Zoo-goers can listen to all audiobooks in both English and Spanish. Zoo Keys will retail for $3.00 and be available at any Zoo retail location and the Zoo shop.

June 22, 2020

Philadelphia Zoo Announces Reopening Date, Tickets Go on Sale This Week!

June 22, 2020/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Guest User

Philadelphia Zoo is set to reopen to the public on Thursday, July 9th. “We are thrilled to welcome our members and guests back to the Zoo,” says Vikram H. Dewan, the Zoo’s President and CEO. “On the first visit back, guests will find that some of the procedures look a bit different, but with more than 1300 rare and endangered animals in our care, and many visitors onsite, the enhanced procedures will help with maintaining a delightful, clean and safe experience,” says Dewan.

May 14, 2020

Philadelphia Zoo Launches Limited Edition Shirts for Spring Back Fund

May 14, 2020/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo wants to update your stay-at-home workday and home-school fashion with a colorful and eye-catching new collection of apparel that will fund the Zoo's Spring Back Fund. Show your support for Philadelphia Zoo on those Zoom and Skype calls while you social distance with a new limited edition t-shirt and hoodie line that will support the vital operations of Philadelphia Zoo. While the Zoo remains closed to the public, the new Spring Back Apparel Collection will support operations during this global crisis. Philadelphia Zoo partnered with local t-shirt company Printfly and website DSGNtree.com on the unique shirts that feature original Philly-centric designs with a fun Zoo twist. Shirts can be purchased at https://dsgntree.com/philadelphia-zoo. Join the Spring Back Campaign and help support America's first Zoo.

June 04, 2019

Lions, Tigers and Beers, Oh My! Philadelphia Zoo Announces Summer Ale Festival with 120+ Taps Pouring from Over 70 Breweries

June 04, 2019/ Guest User

Philadelphia Zoo’s legendary Summer Ale Festival returns on Saturday, June 22, 2019, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Festival-goers are invited to go wild for craft beer and cider with 120+ selections pouring from over 70 regional and national breweries. This exclusive night also features private Zoo access after-hours, live entertainment, delicious lite bites from Philly’s top food trucks (available for purchase) and, of course, the most majestic animals from around the globe.