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.
Ring in the Holiday season with Zoo Lights Presented by Evergy, one of Topeka’s treasured holiday traditions returning for its sixth season.
Santa is stopping by the Topeka Zoo for a SWEET Holiday visit - before his big night!
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!
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.
(We’re OPEN snow or shine, 9 am to 4 pm. Zoo Lights will also be OPEN tomorrow 5 pm - 9 pm)
📸: Keeper Melissa
Give your loved ones an unforgettable experience this holiday season with a private Zoo Lights igloo.
Warm, festive, and filled with cheer — just add friends and cocoa! ☕
Reserve now while dates last: https://topekazoo.org/events/topeka-zoo-lights-around-the-world/private-igloo-rental/
The Topeka Zoo is once again collecting broken, unwanted, or unused holiday lights to keep them out of the landfill and put them to better use.
Drop-off begins December 1 and runs through January 15, 2026.
Collection boxes are located in the parking lot behind the Concessions Stand—you do not need to enter the zoo to drop them off.
Do some good for the planet this holiday season and recycle your old lights with us!🎄
Come enjoy a magical morning filled with:
🎄 Cookie decorating & hot cocoa
🎄 A festive holiday craft
🎄 Giraffe feeding
🎄 Story time & music
🎄 A photo opportunity with Santa
🎄 A candy cane hunt
Learn more and get tickets here! 👉 https://topekazoo.org/events/cookies-with-claus/
Experience the Zoo after hours and support wildlife conservation with every ticket.
✨ Because even the wild ones don’t wait until midnight.
Reserve your seat for this wildly elegant celebration: https://topekazoo.org/zoo-events/toast-at-ten/
Black bear cubs Taz & Kiona enjoyed specially prepped diets & sunshine before the rain snuck in! You can sometimes catch a peek 👀 of the cubs when looking down from the ranger station at Hill’s Black Bear Woods, into their reserve yard. Our hope is the two will be grown enough to explore the main yard come spring! 🌷
🤎 A note: We’re beary thankful for the staff that come in over holidays to care for the animals, maintain our facilities, and keep the Zoo operating so we can be open to visitors.
📸s: Carnivore Team
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.
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!
