Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue
All rentals include: Up to 3 venue coordinator meetings, setup of agreed upon layout by staff, tables and chairs, and Zoo Access for up to 230 guests.**
Venue Capacity: Indoor 230. Must be booked a minimum of 8 weeks in advance.
CLICK HERE for a downloadable rate sheet.
Saturday Rental.......................................................................................................$4,000
Friday Rental..............................................................................................................$3,500
Sunday Rental...........................................................................................................$3,000
Monday-Wednesday Rental...........................................................................$2,500
All one day rentals are from 9:00am-11:00pm, must be cleaned up and departed from the Venue by 11:00pm. Includes 1-hour rehearsal on Thursday.
Set Up Package........................................................................................................$5,500
Rental includes access to the Venue from 2:00-9:00pm the day before and 9:00am-11:00pm on your wedding day, must be cleaned up and departed by 11:00pm.
Clean Up Package.................................................................................................$5,000
Rental includes access to the Venue from 9:00am-11:00pm on your wedding day and 9:00am-2:00pm the day after, must be cleaned up and departed from by 11:00pm.
Event Rental Rates
All rentals include: Up to 3 venue coordinator meetings, setup of agreed upon layout by staff, tables and chairs.
CLICK HERE for a downloadable rate sheet.
Beautiful indoor location built in 2020, located at the south end of the main Zoo parking lot. Maximum indoor capacity is 230 people.
Monday-Wednesday Rental (4 Hours)...……................................................$400
Additional Monday-Wednesday Hours.........…….........$150 per hour
Friday-Sunday Rental (4 Hours)........................................................................$500
Additional Friday-Sunday Hours...................................$200 per hour
Please Note: Must be booked a minimum of 3 weeks in advance. All rental times must include client and vendor setup and tear down.
Indoor and outdoor space in the heart of the Topeka Zoo with potential viewing of African animals. Maximum capacity is 300 people in both indoor and outdoor space.
After Hours Rental
Setup: 4:00-5:00pm
Event: 5:00-8:00pm
Clean Up/Exit: 8:00-9:00pm
Monday-Thursday (5 Hours)..............................................................................$1,500
Friday-Sunday (5 Hours )...................................................................................$2,000
Small Party Package
Up to 50 Guests. Zoo admission for up to 50 people. Cupcake cake. Tables and chairs.
Indoor Patas Monkey Viewing Area (4 Hours)...........................…………..........$500
Ross Family Pavilion (4 Hours)...............................................................….........$500
Please Note: Must be booked a minimum of 3 weeks in advance. All rental times must include client and vendor setup and tear down.
Enjoy all the Topeka Zoo has to offer, including access to one indoor space for guest seating, food service, etc. Includes Zoo admission for up to 500 people, additional admissions available for purchase.
Daytime, Non-Exclusive Zoo Rental
Zoo is open to the public, along with client’s guests. Available during Zoo hours (9:00am-5:00pm) only. Includes Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue for indoor space option.
Monday-Thursday (4 Hours)...........................................................................$2,500
Additional Monday-Thursday Hours..........................$500 per hour
Friday-Sunday Rental (4 Hours)...........….......................................................$3,500
Additional Friday-Sunday Hours................................$750 per hour
Evening Exclusive Zoo Rental
After-hours event, Zoo is only open to client’s guests.
Includes choice of Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue or Camp Cowabunga for indoor space option. Setup: 4:00-5:00pm, Event: 5:00-8:00pm, Clean Up/Exit: 8:00-9:00pm. Additional hours of event access are not available for After-Hours rentals.
Monday-Thursday (5 Hours)...........................................................................$5,000
Friday-Sunday Rental (5 Hours)............................................…......................$7,500
Please note: Must be booked a minimum of 8 weeks in advance. All rental times must include client and vendor setup and tear down.
Animal Experiences
Come join us for a memorable experience at the Topeka Zoo! Elevate your wedding or private event with an Animal Experience! Each adventure offers a unique opportunity to connect with our diverse animal residents.
Please Note
- All Animal Experiences must be booked a minimum of 8 weeks in advance.
- The best timeframe for Animal Experiences is early-mid afternoon, dependent on the availability of our dedicated zoo staff, specific schedules, and overall availability. We strive to offer these experiences whenever possible, but variations may occur.
- Dress appropriately for your Animal Experience.
- Animal Experiences may not always be available. Our priority is the well-being of our animals, and unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather or the need for animal care may impact these activities.
- It's important to note that animals, like humans, have their own personalities and may not always choose to participate in specific activities.
Immerse yourself in a unique opportunity to give our Asian elephant, Cora, a refreshing bath. Help the keepers soap, scrub and rinse Cora.
*You will get wet and dirty, so come prepared!
$500
Our Horticulture Team will build a gorgeous bouquet of local, edible flowers and greenery for you to feed to our
Hippo, often affectionately called "Tank!”
*We do not allow outside bouquets to be fed to Tank, as some flowers and greenery are not edible. Only available mid-April to mid-October.
$300
Take off on an unforgettable adventure as you join an exclusive meet and greet with our elephants - Cora and Tembo! Includes the opportunity to feed Tembo, our African elephant or Cora, our Asian Elephant.
*This experience is available year round but location may vary between habitat and barn.
$200
Seize the chance to feed our majestic giraffes, extending your hand to these graceful creatures and sharing an unforgettable moment in their towering presence.
*Please be sure no one in your party is wearing loose jewelry.
$200
Embark on an exhilarating behind-the-scenes tour of
the lion's home, where you'll witness an awe-inspiring
training session or feeding session.
*We do not allow guests to touch, feed, or directly interact with our carnivores for safety reasons.
$200
Take a journey behind the scenes of the painted dogs' home, gaining a captivating glimpse into the lives of these charismatic and endangered creatures, and witnessing firsthand the dedicated conservation efforts
aimed at their protection.
*We do not allow guests to touch, feed, or directly interact with our carnivores for safety reasons.
$200
Venture into the heart of the tiger's domain with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sumatran tiger's home and gain a deeper understanding of their conservation needs.
*We do not allow guests to touch, feed, or directly interact with our carnivores for safety reasons.
$200
(Up to 6 Guests)
The highlight of this private tour is feeding our hippopotamus a selection of his favorite fruits and vegetables prepared by our keepers. You'll have the unique opportunity to toss these treats to Tank as he emerges from the water.
$150
(Up to 15-20 Guests)
Experience the grace and agility of our pronghorn in a captivating meet and greet, where you'll join the heard in their habitat and connect with these remarkable creatures up close.
*Appropriate footwear required.
$150
(Up to 6 Guests)
Delight in a keeper-led, otter feeding experience, immersing yourself in the playful antics and incredible agility of our otters.
$150
Topeka Zoo’s horticulturist takes you through Kay McFarland's Japanese Garden with its meticulous landscaping and design, mimicking an authentic Japanese garden. As you walk along the path, you'll see traditional stone lanterns scattered throughout the garden and the classic Japanese architecture complementing the Garden's design.
$150
(Group of 10)
We take pride in preserving and showcasing the native flora of the region, from colorful wildflowers to majestic trees, these plants are not only beautiful but also play a vital role in supporting local ecosystems. The Topeka Zoo has a storied past that dates back almost a century with the vision of creating unique spaces that combines education with the wonder of a zoo.
$150
Tour the Children's Zoo and interact with the Nubian goats, known for their friendly and affectionate nature. Visitors are provided with specially formulated goat food or appropriate fruits and vegetables to offer to the goats.
*Only available during normal Children's Zoo hours.
$100
This tour includes the chance to interact with the domesticated ferrets up close and observe their playful and curious behavior.
$100
Guests learn about the complexities of creating balanced and species-specific diets for the animals in the Zoo. This tour includes the opportunity to observe zookeepers and nutritionists preparing the animals' meals with a visit to the food storage areas where fresh produce, meat, and other food items are kept.
$100
A bug zoo experience can be an exciting and educational adventure that can help visitors overcome any fears they may have of insects and appreciate their importance in the ecosystem. Trained invertebrate specialists guide visitors through the bug zoo, providing information about their behaviors, life cycles, and ecological importance.
$100
Lorikeets are small, colorful parrots known for their vibrant plumage and friendly, social nature making this encounter a popular and enjoyable experience for guests of all ages. This supervised lorikeet feeding allows visitors to interact with these beautiful birds up close, so they may land on your arms, shoulders, or even your head!
$100
Learn about black bear enrichment activities from Zoo staff, this could involve hiding food in the bear habitat or offering toys that encourage natural behaviors.
* Not wheelchair accessible, not available during winter months
** We do not allow guests to touch, feed, or directly interact with our carnivores for safety reasons!
$100
Tour behind the scenes of the mountain lion enclosure and learn about the mountain lion's natural habitats, behavior, and conservation efforts.
*We do not allow guests to touch, feed, or directly interact with our carnivores for safety reasons!
$100
Beverage Packages
Please Note: Open/Beer & Wine packages include one bartender. For all other packages, bartenders are $100 each.
Water and lemonade are included in wedding rentals. Water included in all venue rentals.
CLICK HERE for a downloadable rate sheet.
Wine
House White
House Red
BEER
Coors Light
Michelob Ultra
Yuengling Lager
Assorted Quirk Seltzers
Liquor
Rum
Vodka
Whiskey
Bourbon
Gin
Tequila
Juices & Mixers
Pineapple
Cranberry
Assorted Pepsi Products
Margarita Mix
Bloody Mary Mix
Club Soda
Tonic
Includes all of the above beverage options.
$22 per person
Includes beer and wine listed above.
$12 per person
Each ticket purchases one: mixed drink, can of beer, glass of wine, or can of soda. After all tickets are used, can transition to cash bar upon request.
$7 per ticket
Guests can purchase their own beverages for $5.50 per alcoholic beverage (includes tax), or $1 per can of soda.
$7.50 per drink
Includes champagne and juice (orange juice, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice).
$4 per person
A 5oz serving of house champagne. Bottle serves 5.
$2 per person
Assorted Pepsi Products, Water, and Lemonade (Tea and coffee included by request.)
$4 per person
Includes bartender, serving troughs, ice, and staff to restock from your provided supply. Clients provide their own alcoholic beverages, must also provide mixers, cups, napkins, etc.
$500
Need Help Planning?
The Topeka Zoo can accommodate corporate groups from 10 to 10,000 people in a variety of settings ranging from casual to formal. Fun activities can be added to entertain your staff and their families. Wild photos, live animal presentations, face painters and caricature artists add to the festive atmosphere. We handle the planning so you can focus on your guests.
Andrea Jones
Erin Grenitz
Book your Event
at the zoo today!
Our calendar is open two years in advance. Don't wait - reserve your venue today!