HEADS UP! It's really cold outside which means many of our animal ambassadors may not be available for viewing. However, we have loads of indoor spaces to hang out and warm up! Come visit!
DOCENT ACADEMY
🐒 Love animals and talking to people? 🦒 Join the Topeka Zoo as a Docent! 🐘 Docents are volunteer educators who create engaging experiences for guests while supporting conservation and education efforts. 🦓 Applicants must be at least 18 years years of age and finished with high school.
The next Docent Training Academy runs 🐅 March 24-28, 2025. 🦜 To apply, visit the zoo's website under “Get Involved” > “Volunteer,” or contact Dennis Dinwiddie at ddinwiddie@topekazoo.org or 785-368-9134. 🐢
JOIN US...
for the exciting launch of Grandma Gummy’s Garden!
DATE: March 20, 2025
TIME:11:45 AM – 1:30 PM
LOCATION: Kay McFarland Japanese Garden, Topeka, KS
COST: FREE! Lunch included
Hosted by the Kay McFarland Charitable Trust, Lasting Legacy Online, and the Rotary Club of Topeka. is special event will celebrate the release of a heartwarming children’s book that nurtures the love of gardening, community and storytelling, and is about the Trustee and her friend. is book will be featured in the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden Gallery and will be free to the public.
RSVP now at www.lastinglegacyonline.com
🐘 SLAP IT ON YOUR TRUNK 🐘
Show your love for wildlife and the Topeka Zoo with a custom Kansas license plate! For just a $50 annual donation, you can support conservation efforts, provide top-notch care for our animals, and inspire education programs. Plus, your donation is tax-deductible!
Every time you drive, you’ll be spreading awareness and helping the Topeka Zoo thrive.
WHY ZOO'S MATTER
Why Zoos Matter is a program offered to the public by the Topeka Zoo, at no cost, to explore the many ways in which today’s modern zoos impact on today’s world.
This 45-minute power point presentation is available to organizations through a zoo visit or at their site to learn why zoos have become so necessary to today’s world.
For questions or to schedule this event for your group, contact the Topeka Zoo at 785-368-9134 or ddinwiddie@topekazoo.org.
🦖 Dinosaurs Alive – Coming May 23rd to YOUR Topeka Zoo! 🦕
Dinosaurs Alive Presented by the KBS Constructors Foundation is roaring back into the Topeka Zoo, bringing you face-to-face with life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs that move, roar, and transport you back in time.
Explore an immersive experience featuring the towering T. Rex, swift raptors, and other incredible creatures from millions of years ago. Perfect for dino lovers of all ages, this limited-time exhibit will be an unforgettable journey into the past!
Early Bird Tickets for Roar and Pour Wine Fest Presented by Kaw Valley Bank go on sale ONE WEEK from today! 🎉 Mark your calendars and get ready to save $5 per ticket when you snag yours early!
This is shaping up to be our best Roar and Pour yet—with amazing wineries, delicious food, live entertainment, and unforgettable experiences all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Topeka Zoo! 🦁✨
Check out all the fantastic food, wine, and entertainment we have planned ➡️ https://topekazoo.org/roarandpour/
🎟️ Don't miss out—set your reminder and grab your tickets early! We can't wait to cheers with you at Roar and Pour! 🥂
#roarandpour #SipSavorSupport #topekazoo #EarlyBirdTickets
During your walk around our tropical rainforest- you may notice our flying foxes huddled together at the top of the dome. These large bats love to hang out with their wings outstretched, catching the sun’s rays. This warms up the blood in veins that go across their wingspan, which then travels throughout their body to spread the warmth. 🌡️
They can also flap their wings for the opposite effect- fanning themselves to help cool down.
#bats #bat #fruitbat #flyingfox #flyingfoxes #bigstretch #warmup
Great news! Our amazing maintenance and horticulture teams have cleared most of the paths at the Topeka Zoo! Be safe if you're headed out today!
The Topeka Zoo will be open tomorrow, but our amazing maintenance team will need some time to clear sidewalks and walkways. We expect pathways to be fully cleared by noon.
If you're planning a visit, please bundle up, stay safe, and watch your step! ❄️🐾 We appreciate your patience and can’t wait to see you.
#StayWarm #TopekaZoo #WinterAtTheZoo
Has someone o-fish-ally put a ring on it? 💍Are you looking for your dream wedding venue for your bam-boo and you? Don't be koi, book a showing of Kay's Japanese Garden & Venue located inside the Topeka Zoo!
In honor of the increase of engagements during Valentine's Day, we want to give you a 14% discount on your wedding rental rate if you sign your wedding rental contract between now and March 14th. For more information and to schedule a venue showing, reach out to our Events Coordinators at privateevents@topekazoo.org
*Date of wedding has no effect on discount
See news on our facebook page here.
2025 DATES
•Membership Only Events are in orange.
FREE DAYS:
- July 18th- 5pm-8pm.
- August 30th from 9am-3pm
January
- The zoo is open! 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with last admission at 4:30 pm
- Spring break camp enrollment opens - 20th
February
- The zoo is open!
- Friends Giving Society Brunch: Saturday, February 22
March
- Annual meeting for members - March 8th The meeting is in the Kay's Garden venue. We will meet at 1:00pm. Members can enter through the turtle gate to have direct access to the venue.
- Spring break camp March - 10-14
- Docent training March - 19-22
- World Water Day - March 22
- Members Only Giraffe feeding: Saturday, March 8 (1:30 p.m.)
- Wake & Learn- Animal Personalities at the Zoo: Friday, March 21 (8 – 9 a.m.)
April
- Kansas Ballet Performance - April 4-6
- Eggstravaganza - April 12
- Earth Day - April 19
- Roar and Pour - April 26
May
- KS Safe Kids - May 3
- Pollinator Palooza- Wildflower sale - May 10
- Endangered Species Day - May 17
- World Turtle Day - May 24
- Membership drive month – offer 10% off for new memberships
- Member Preview for Dinosaurs Alive! – Friday, May 23 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
- Wake & Learn - Dinos and their Topeka Zoo Relatives: Thursday, May 29 (8 – 9 a.m.)
June
- Oceans Day - June 7
- Rainforests Awareness Day - June 14
- Joel Sartore/Tiger Fundraiser - Day presentation + Evening Event - June 14
- Giraffe Day - June 21
- Member Morning – Saturday, June 14 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Morning – Saturday, June 28 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
July
- Global Tiger Day - July 26th
- Member Morning – Saturday, July 12 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Morning – Saturday, July 26 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Appreciation Night – Thursday, July 31 (5 – 7:30 p.m.)
August
- World Lion Day - Aug 2
- World Elephant Day - Aug 9
- World Orangutan Day - Aug 16
- World Painted Dog Day - Aug 23
- Gage Park Founder's Fest/Free Day - Aug 30*
*Admission is free with suggested non perishable food item. - Ballet Midwest - Wildly Creative Event - Aug 30
- Wake & Learn: Growing Green in the Heart of the Zoo: Saturday, August 9 (8 – 9 a.m.)
September
- Brew at the Zoo - Sept 13
- World Rivers Day - Sept 20
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
October
- Chalktoberfest Event - Oct 11
- Chalk and Cheers - Oct 11 at 6 p.m.
- Boo at the Zoo - Oct - 18
- Boo at the zoo - Oct -25
- Boo at the Zoo (Member Only Lane) – Saturday, October 18 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Boo at the Zoo: (Member Only Lane) – Saturday, October 25 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
November
- Zoo Lights Begins - Nov 20
- Wake & Learn – Behind the Scenes of Zoo Lights: Tuesday, November 11 (8 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
December
- Cookies with Claus - Dec 6
- Zoo Lights Closes - Dec 28
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
- Cookies with Claus (Member Discount): Saturday, December 6 (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
- Gift Membership Drive – Purchase the gift of year-round Zoo Membership!
Our Mission is to enrich our community through wildlife conservation and education.
BE THE DIFFERENCE.
When you become a business partner, you become a huge part of the success of the zoo AND the community! Join us today!