Make your Zoo Lights visit extra special with a private igloo rental! Enjoy cozy seating, festive décor, and exclusive perks as you sip, snack, and soak in the sparkle of the season.
Recycle your old or broken holiday lights at the Topeka Zoo! Drop off any string lights between Dec. 1–Jan. 15 in the labeled bin in the main parking lot and help keep the season, and our planet, bright.
Adventure, learning, and wild memories await! Sign up for Topeka Zoo Adventure Camps — with sessions offered in spring, summer, and fall/winter. Click through for details and registration links!
Ring in the Holiday season with Zoo Lights Presented by Evergy, one of Topeka’s treasured holiday traditions returning for its sixth season.
The Topeka Zoo is accepting clean, live Christmas trees December 26–January 8! Drop trees inside Gage Park near the horseshoe courts—no appointment needed. Trees free of decorations become enrichment for zoo animals and are later mulched for reuse.
Celebrate the New Year in style at the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center with Toast at Ten, an exclusive cocktail event presented by SDG Architecture + Interiors, featuring a special plated dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, and a sparkling champagne toast at 10 PM.
Santa is stopping by the Topeka Zoo for a SWEET Holiday visit - before his big night!
It's no secret - ZOO LIGHTS takes a LOT of power (big thank you to presenting sponsor, Evergy). All of that power comes from intricate control boxes & electrical pathways - which is where Charlie comes in!
Charlie's role as a Zoo Lights Team Member this year heavily centered around designing the layout of the control boxes for this year's production, as well as connect them to various lights & displays. We're very appreciative of Charlie & his help in powering Zoo Lights!
Come see Charlie's work in person! ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World runs until December 31. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://topekazoo.org/zoo-events/topeka-zoo-lights-around-the-world/
When Gaby's not working inside the Zoo Gift Shop as a Guest Engagement Team Member, she's working as a ZOO LIGHTS frame master! Over the past 3 years of ZOO LIGHTS, Gaby has worked on many frames - applying rope lights to new frames or swapping out broken lights/revamping the classics. A few examples of the frames Gaby helped bring to life are the 3-D African Elephant, the Sugar Skulls, and the tree frames at the South Entrance.
"I've lost count of the number of frames that I've helped with throughout the years," Gaby comments. "Over a hundred, certainly."
Come see Gaby's work in person! ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World runs until December 31. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://topekazoo.org/zoo-events/topeka-zoo-lights-around-the-world/
Zoo Lights (presented by Evergy) is ready for EXTENDED hours and holiday magic!
From 12/21 - 12/28 hours will be 5 pm - 10 pm every night with the exception of Christmas (open 6 pm - 9 pm).
❄️ Christmas Eve falls on a Wild Wednesday - each admission is $9, the regular price for children's admission. Visit & unlock your inner child!
🌲 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - anyone purchasing tickets at the gate receives $2 off each ticket (not applicable online due to technology limitations).
🎅🤶 REMINDER - Mr. & Mrs. Claus are visiting Zoo Lights nightly until DECEMBER 23, before they have to rush back to the North Pole to make deliveries Christmas Eve. Visit & take pictures inside Santa's Workshop, built in the Big Gage Shelterhouse!
Lights, more lights, and action! Bryce may have been new this year, but his technical work in the theatre world brought some desirable knowledge when it came to programming lights and displays this year.
Besides getting to see his designs come to life, he's really enjoyed seeing the public's reactions to his hard work.
ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy, runs until December 31. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights
Another first-timer for this year was John, Special Events Manager. John's role is highlighted below- he was extraordinarily helpful in pinches or when there were less-than-ideal weather conditions. (Lights do NOT work well with snow & rain!).
Being the team player that he is, John always wants to give others credit before taking any of his own! Read below to see the nice things he had to say regarding his coworkers at the Zoo.
ZOO LIGHTS presented by Evergy runs until December 31. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights
See news on our facebook page here.
2025 DATES
•Membership Only Events are in orange.
September
- Brew at the Zoo - Sept 13
- World Rivers Day - Sept 27
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
October
- 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 21
- 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 31
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
- Cookies with Claus (Member Discount): Saturday, December 6 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
- Gift Membership Drive – Purchase the gift of year-round Zoo Membership!
The last two weekends in October are all set for spooky, family fun! Visit vendors, collect candy, giveaways, and more! Dress up as your favorite characters, goblins, witches, and ghosts and we will see you SOON!
Ring in the Holiday season with Zoo Lights Presented by Evergy, one of Topeka’s treasured holiday traditions returning for its sixth season.
Enjoy a memorable night tucked away from the cold at the 2025 Topeka Zoo Lights! Our Igloos provide a cozy, secluded space to enjoy this Winter Wonderland all evening long. Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary or having a night out with friends or coworkers. Elevate your experience with your very own private igloo!
Santa is stopping by the Topeka Zoo for a sweet holiday visit—before his big night! Come enjoy a magical morning filled with: Cookie decorating & hot cocoa, A festive holiday craft, Giraffe feeding, Storytime & music, A photo opportunity with Santa, and a candy cane hunt!
Our Mission is to enrich our community through wildlife conservation and education.
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When you become a business partner, you become a huge part of the success of the zoo AND the community! Join us today!
