Special Events
Events are free with paid admission unless otherwise noted.
APRIL
Earth Day: Party for the Planet
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 10AM-3PM
Celebrate Earth Day the Brandywine Zoo way by joining us for our annual Party for the Planet event! Hosted alongside the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and other AZA-accredited institutions, Party for the Planet is one of the largest combined Earth Day celebrations in North America.
This year, we’re focusing on how to make every day Earth Day by reducing, reusing, recycling, and rethinking the plastics in your life. Partake in fun Earth Day themed activities, keeper talks, and more! Party for the Planet is included with regular zoo admission price.
MEMBERS ONLY EVENT – TACO TUESDAY
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 5-7PM
Join us for our exclusive Members Only Event – Taco Tuesday – featuring tacos from The Stand Food Truck! We’ll also have Special Keeper Talks, crafts and activities, soft drinks, hot dogs and churros from our Snack Bar, and Encanto characters from All That Shimmers. Plus, face painting by Over the Rainbow will be available to a limited number of guests. The Wilmington Fire Department will be here with their fire truck – kids can take a tour! Pre-registration required.
SPECIAL KEEPER TALKS
5:30pm at Madagascar
6:00pm at Red Pandas
Stuff Animal Vet Clinic
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 10AM-12PM
Is your stuffed animal under the weather? Bring your favorite from home, or adopt one from the gift shop, to get a checkup with our zoo veterinary staff. Your stuffie will be examined, bandaged or given ‘medicine’ to make sure they have a clean bill of health! Free with Zoo admission.
MAY
Brandywine Zoo Online Auction
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 8AM – WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 9PM
The Delaware Zoological Society is a dedicated partner of the Brandywine Zoo and supports its mission to engage in, and inspire wildlife conservation. Our Vision is simple: Play, Learn, Conserve, Explore, and Enjoy! But we can’t do that without your help!
GUEST BARTENDING EVENT AT BBC TAVERN
AND GRILL
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 6-9PM
We invite you to join us and our guest bartenders for an evening of drinks and fun in supporting the Brandywine Zoo! This guest bartending event will be held at BBC Tavern and Grill located at 4019 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE 19807.
NATIVE PLANT SALE
SATURDAY, MAY 25-MONDAY, MAY 27, 10AM–2PM
Buying native plants is a great way to support the pollinators that visit your home! Luckily, we will be having a plant sale for that very reason.
Stop by the zoo front gate (zoo admission is not required) to purchase a 6-pack of pollinator plants for $30. Plus, rain barrels and natural garden sprays made by students from our Conservation Leadership Academy will also be on sale. Bees, butterflies, and songbirds will benefit from the new additions to your yard, porch, or balcony.
STORYTIME AT THE ZOO WITH SMOKEY BEAR
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 11:30AM
Join us as we kick-off our summer Storytime series with a bear-y special birthday celebration.
Learn about Smokey Bear at this special Storytime event with the Delaware Forest Service. Only you can wish Smokey a happy 80th birthday by starting the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge at the zoo’s Little Free Library!
BREW AT THE ZOO 21+
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 5:30-8:30PM
LIVELY, AFTER HOURS FUNDRAISER AT THE BRANDYWINE ZOO!
Visit the zoo after hours for this outdoor FUNdraiser event which includes a variety of beer, wine and spirit tastings from numerous vendors, light fare from local restaurants, and ice cream from Hy-Point. Plus live music by Green Eggs and Jam and animal encounters from Animal Behavior and Conservation Connections. Food and beverages are included in admission ticket. Don’t miss the 50/50 Raffle and Raffle items.
Brew at the Zoo is a fundraiser for the Delaware Zoological Society. Your ticket purchase helps further the zoo’s mission of conservation and education. Advanced tickets are available online. Must be 21+ to attend. Rain or shine. Pre-registration recommended. Tickets sell out quickly.
MEMBERS: $45
NON-MEMBERS: $55
ALCOHOL-FREE TICKET: $35
JUNE
WORLD OCEAN’S DAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 10AM-3PM
Swim on over to the zoo for a celebration of our blue planet on World Ocean’s Day! This event aims to increase awareness of the pivotal role the ocean plays and encourages individuals to take action to protect it, beginning right in our local communities. Take part in ocean themed activities, a scavenger hunt, and don’t miss a very special performance by The Chesapeake Mermaid at 12:00pm!
The Chesapeake Mermaid’s visit will include an interactive storytime with movement, song, bay creature sign language, and delightful encounters with the mermaid’s wildlife friends! This event is included with regular zoo admission.
This performance is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com
SIP & STROLL
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 5-7:30PM
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT FOR ALL AGES!
Sip & Stroll through the zoo and enjoy a laid-back evening at our Thursday night happy hour series. Craft beer will be available from Bellefonte Brewing, in addition to wine, and hard cider/seltzer. Each Sip will feature a local food vendor, and unique table vendors for browsing. Plus, our concession stand will have snacks and non-alcoholic beverage options.
This family friendly event will have animal encounters, live music, and fun for all ages! Limited number of tickets will be sold. Drink and food purchases sold separately. Drink tickets can be purchased at the ticket window or snack bar for $6.
MEMBERS: Adult $5, Children $3, Children under 3 FREE
NON-MEMBERS: Adults $10, Children $7, Children under 3 FREE
Pride Day
Saturday, June 22, 10am-3pm
The Brandywine Zoo proudly celebrates the diversity of our plants & animals, staff, visitors, and community with our fourth annual Pride Day event! Wear your pride gear to the zoo for a fun day of education programming, a scavenger hunt, storytime, and more!
Event is included with regular zoo admission.
JULY
SIP & STROLL
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 5-7:30PM
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT FOR ALL AGES!
Sip & Stroll through the zoo and enjoy a laid-back evening at our Thursday night happy hour series. Craft beer will be available from Bellefonte Brewing, in addition to wine, and hard cider/seltzer. Each Sip will feature a local food vendor, and unique table vendors for browsing. Plus, our concession stand will have snacks and non-alcoholic beverage options.
This family friendly event will have animal encounters, live music, and fun for all ages! Limited number of tickets will be sold. Drink and food purchases sold separately. Drink tickets can be purchased at the ticket window or snack bar for $6.
MEMBERS: Adult $5, Children $3, Children under 3 FREE
NON-MEMBERS: Adults $10, Children $7, Children under 3 FREE
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 5-7PM
Special evening hours with a reduced admission fee of $2. Enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 soft drinks.
MEMBERS: Free
NON-MEMBERS: $2, Children under 3 FREE
TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED AT THE GATE FOR THIS EVENT!
AUGUST
SIP & STROLL
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 5-7:30PM
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT FOR ALL AGES!
Sip & Stroll through the zoo and enjoy a laid-back evening at our Thursday night happy hour series. Craft beer will be available from Bellefonte Brewing, in addition to wine, and hard cider/seltzer. Each Sip will feature a local food vendor, and unique table vendors for browsing. Plus, our concession stand will have snacks and non-alcoholic beverage options.
This family friendly event will have animal encounters, live music, and fun for all ages! Limited number of tickets will be sold. Drink and food purchases sold separately. Drink tickets can be purchased at the ticket window or snack bar for $6.
MEMBERS: Adult $5, Children $3, Children under 3 FREE
NON-MEMBERS: Adults $10, Children $7, Children under 3 FREE
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 5-7PM
Special evening hours with a reduced admission fee of $2. Enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 soft drinks.
MEMBERS: Free
NON-MEMBERS: $2, Children under 3 FREE
TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED AT THE GATE FOR THIS EVENT!
SEPTEMBER
SIP & STROLL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 5-7:30PM
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT FOR ALL AGES!
Sip & Stroll through the zoo and enjoy a laid-back evening at our Thursday night happy hour series. Craft beer will be available from Bellefonte Brewing, in addition to wine, and hard cider/seltzer. Each Sip will feature a local food vendor, and unique table vendors for browsing. Plus, our concession stand will have snacks and non-alcoholic beverage options.
This family friendly event will have animal encounters, live music, and fun for all ages! Limited number of tickets will be sold. Drink and food purchases sold separately. Drink tickets can be purchased at the ticket window or snack bar for $6.
MEMBERS: Adult $5, Children $3, Children under 3 FREE
NON-MEMBERS: Adults $10, Children $7, Children under 3 FREE
OCTOBER
Boo at the Zoo
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 10AM-3PM
CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN ZOO-STYLE WITH THIS MERRY, NOT SCARY EVENT.
All are invited to wear costumes while visiting the zoo animals. Plenty of treats and activities. Brandywine Zoo members receive a discount for this event! Tickets available at door and online. Online purchase recommended.
Members: $4 | Non-members: $8 | Children 2 and under: Free
Spirits at the Zoo
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 5:30-8:30PM
CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN AT THE ZOO FOR AN EVENING OF HOLIDAY REVELRY.
Enjoy spooky cocktails and liquid libations, light nibbles, animal encounters, and bewitching entertainment after dark. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets include admission and entertainment. Drink and food purchases sold separately. Drink tickets are $6. Proceeds from the event benefit the Delaware Zoological Society of the Brandywine Zoo. The event will be held rain or moonshine. Strictly 21+ with valid ID required.
Members: $5 | Non-members: $10