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.
Ring in the Holiday season with Zoo Lights Presented by Evergy, one of Topeka’s treasured holiday traditions returning for its sixth season.
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.
Santa is stopping by the Topeka Zoo for a SWEET Holiday visit - before his big night!
Each year, the Colley family generously donate their time & dedication to one of the most MAGICAL areas of ZOO LIGHTS - Santa's Workshop & Forest. The detailed, intricate setup makes for wonderful photo opportunities. It's not just a one-person job - the whole family participates in the collaborative effort of designing, building, and decorating the space!
"Our favorite part is watching an idea turn into a real, immersive space — seeing families walk in, slow down, and really take it all in. That moment when kids’ and adults’ faces light up makes every late night and detail worth it. Santa’s Vintage Toy Shoppe, the Gingerbread Village, and the Christmas Tree Farm are prime examples of the thoughtful design and creativity we like to incorporate that make ZOO LIGHTS so special.
One of our favorite things about ZOO LIGHTS as a whole is how it brings the community together. Santa’s Magical Forest is built almost entirely by volunteers and family members, and it’s designed with layers of tiny details so the longer you look, the more you discover - which even inspired our scavenger hunt." - Pat Colley
ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy runs until December 31. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights
This season, the Zoo extended its partnership with Squeegee Squad Kansas Central to new heights! Squeegee Squad's team (led by Melissa, Mike & Andrew) made certain trees were wrapped higher than ever before, and with a level of precision that brings out the elegance of the whole display. Read each leader's role in the graphic below!
Andrew's favorite section is the 'Day of the Dead', and one of his favorite things about Zoo Lights is learning about all of the animals and their tolerances to light. It's amazing the Zoo takes their needs into consideration for the event!
Mike's favorite area is the Japanese Garden. One unique challenge about ZOO LIGHTS he found is the amount of power the tradition takes. This year, we could drawl a circle around Topeka with the 28 miles of lights in the trees and along the pathways (62 houses worth of power)!
Finally, Melissa's favorite section was China. The lanterns mixed with the soft white & red lights are just stunning. Her favorite learning experience this year was managing over 900 hours of volunteer activities for over 215 people. Careful management of these activities made powering more efficient, and allowed us to hit our project timelines with a little more ease this year!
One thing everyone on Squeegee Squad agreed on? Squirrels create lots of road bumps, and a great accomplishment was finding (humane!) ways to deter them.
❄️ ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy runs until December 31. Purchase tickets at: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights
This year was David's first year as our Seasonal Exhibits Manager! The task of leading the Zoo Lights crew is no easy one - but David was sure up to the challenge. See below to learn more about his specific role in this year's cultural twist to the production!
When asked, David was hung up on which section of lights is his favorite. "There are so many parts of the Zoo Lights design that I enjoy, so picking a favorite is hard," David began. "If I had to choose, I would say the Day of the Dead section. The color combinations, the meaning behind the Ofrenda, and the way the design came to life all stand out to me."
ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy runs until Dec. 31 PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEvents/Zoolights
Thursday, Dec 25 · 6–9 PM
End your holiday with a magical stroll under the lights.
👉 👉 👉 $2 off each ticket at the gate.
(Due to tech restrictions, discount only applicable for in-person purchases)
MORE INFO ON ZOO LIGHTS HERE: https://topekazoo.org/events/topeka-zoo-lights-around-the-world/
📸: Keeper Ashley
#babyorangutan #orangutan #borneanorangutan #topekazoo
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!
