Fall festivities at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is set for fun-filled festivities with a packed lineup of can’t-miss fall and winter events for guests of all ages. This year’s festivities are expected to be bigger and brighter than ever, with something for everyone—from community events to Halloween thrills and holiday celebrations.
The zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends until the start of Holiday Magic on November 21, with exclusive after-hours access available through select events below. All the information guests need to plan a visit today, including open attractions and habitats, is available at brookfieldzoo.org/visit.
Sept. 20: Zoo After Dark: Animal Adoption Adventure
Experience the Zoo like never before with an unforgettable after-dark experience where conservation meets celebration. Animal Adoption supporters and guests who purchase event tickets will have exclusive access to make memories under the moonlight with evening animal viewing, Zoo Chats, Vet Talks, a scavenger hunt, live music and more from 4-8 p.m. Event admission includes free parking, free carousel and motor safari rides, and discounts on both food and merchandise purchases.
Sept. 27: Hispanic Heritage Fest
Hispanic Heritage Fest returns to Brookfield Zoo Chicago, where guests are invited to delight in live music by Trabuco Salsa Band, delectable cuisine, cultural performances and more! This event is included with Zoo admission and features programming throughout the Zoo—including bilingual story times and a bilingual dolphin presentation at 2:30 p.m. as well as Zoo Chats featuring animals native to Latin America.
Sept. 28: Oktoberfest
Prost! to Oktoberfest at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, where the Carousel Plaza will feature family-friendly fun with polka music, dancing, games, giveaways and more. This German-style event sponsored by Leinenkugel’s, Revolution Brewing and the Yuengling Company is included with Zoo admission and will feature a special seasonal menu with bratwurst, specialty beers, pretzels with cheese and more available for purchase.
Oct. 4 – 31: Boo! at the Zoo
Get ready for a fang-tastic time at Boo! at the Zoo. This family-friendly Halloween celebration is packed with not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations, Halloween-themed photo opps and animal enrichment plus more fun all month long for ghosts and goblins of all ages. The event includes special weekend programming, featuring Boo-tastic costume parades, trick-or-treating stations on the East Mall, a magic show , haunted tram rides and more memorable experiences. On Sundays throughout October, guests can enjoy Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s first-ever Boo! at the Zoo art fair featuring local artisans and small businesses. Applications remain open for a limited time for interested creators of artwork that celebrate themes of animals, conservation, education and the natural world by visiting //brookfieldzoo.org/booatthezoo.
Oct. 7: Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner
Brookfield Zoo Chicago Trustees and Women’s Board continue its long-standing tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations for their collective impact on conservation efforts. Tickets are now available for this annual dinner, which returns to the Four Seasons Hotel for an evening celebrating transformative efforts to inspire conservation action, engage our communities and restore wildlife populations.
Oct. 18: Wines in the Wild
The Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board invites civic and philanthropic leaders to the Wines in the Wild Sip & Safari. Held from 6-10 p.m. at the Zoo’s Discovery Center, this annual elevated event invites guests to delight in wine and spirit tastings, a silent auction, raffle and more. All proceeds from the evening support the efforts by the Women’s Board to support conservation, education and scholarship initiatives that uplift the Zoo’s mission to inspire conservation leadership and connect people to wildlife and nature.
Oct. 19: Boo! Brunch
Show off your spook-tacular costumes at Boo! Brunch in the Zoo’s Pavilions. Guests are invited to enjoy a Halloween-themed buffet featuring classic brunch favorites with a hauntingly good twist and a signature witches’ brew lemonade. Tickets include access to explore Zoo grounds coupled with a DJ spinning spooky tunes, spine-tingling photo opps and free facing painting for all kids. Reservations must be made in advance for this one-day-only event with seatings at 10 a.m. or noon. Zoo members receive a discount on Boo! Brunch tickets.
Oct. 25: Zoo After Dark: BOOs & Brews
An unforgettable evening of thrills, chills and specialty drinks awaits for guests ages 21 and over at Zoo After Dark: BOOs & Brews. From 6-9:30 p.m., this adults-only evening features seasonal brews and cocktails, a costume contest with coveted prizes, music by DJ Nurotic, up-close encounters with Animal Ambassadors and more.
Nov. 1 – 2: Community Ofrenda for Día de los Muertos
Brookfield Zoo Chicago honors Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, with a community ofrenda recognizing beloved pets that have passed on. Guests can submit their pet’s name, photo and a special story to be featured in the Zoo’s Beloved Pets Community Ofrenda on Nov. 1–2 at the Hamill Family Nature Plaza. Access to the ofrenda is included with Zoo admission. Details, including how community members can make an offering or donation to support the Zoo’s mission or local shelters, will be available soon at //brookfieldzoo.org/events.
Nov. 8 – 9: Tree Trim
Help decorate for the Zoo for Chicagoland’s longest-running light festival during Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s annual Tree Trim! Beginning Sept. 2, guests will have an opportunity to purchase a tree to decorate and help bring the magic of the holidays to life as part of its beloved Holiday Magic lights festival. Each tree purchase includes 20 complimentary Zoo tickets. Registration details and tree decorating guidelines are available on the event website. Interested community members are encouraged to act quickly before trees sell out and to place advanced food orders for convenient delivery to tree sites.
Nov. 11: Veterans Day Celebration
To honor those who have proudly served our country, Brookfield Zoo Chicago invites the public to a special Veterans Day event from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Zoo’s Discovery Center. The celebration will include a display of military memorabilia, veteran organizations like Honor Flight and Tails of Redemption, a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers and more. Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers free admission to all active, reservist and retired members of the military every day with the presentation of a valid ID at the Zoo’s admission booths.
Nov. 15: Reindeer Run
Dash through the Zoo this holiday season with Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s annual Reindeer Run!Whether you’re running or walking, this after-hours event is the perfect way for community members of all running levels to get in the holiday spirit while getting both their steps in and the first look at this year’s Holiday Magic light displays.
Nov. 20: Zoo After Dark: Holiday Sip & Stroll
Looking for a festive mix of holiday cheer, warm drinks and seasonal cocktails while exploring the Zoo’s dazzling lights? Guests ages 21 and over are invited to Holiday Sip & Stroll, offering an adults-only preview before Holiday Magic officially opens. It includes an evening of music, specialty-crafted cocktails and lots of holiday cheer from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Nov. 22: Celebration of Native American Heritage
Brookfield Zoo Chicago recognizes that its commitment to conserve and protect the natural world emulates the fundamental teachings of the original stewards of the land on which the Zoo resides. On Nov. 22, the Zoo shares its history and appreciation with the Celebration of Native American Heritage. This celebration is included with Zoo admission and features programming recognizing Native American traditions and species that hold significance to this community.
Select Dates Nov. 21 – Jan. 4: Holiday Magic
Chicagoland’s longest-running holiday lights festival returns bigger and brighter than ever! Holiday Magic, presented by ComEd and Meijer, is a spectacular display that transforms the Zoo into a dazzling winter wonderland with more than two million lights and festive decorations throughout Zoo grounds. This year’s event returns on select dates Nov. through Jan. with holiday fun for guests of all ages, including photos with Santa, holiday-themed treats and merchandise plus the Zoo’s Senior Holiday Light Tours. More information about what guests can expect—including new features and fun—will be shared this fall.
Dec. 6: Holly Jolly Gingerbread Party
The Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Women’s Board invites guests to the Holly Jolly Gingerbread Party! Family and friends are invited to bring gingerbread house making traditions to the Zoo during a delicious brunch. The event, which directly supports the Zoo’s mission, also includes a visit from Santa, photo opps with Animal Ambassadors and more.
Dec. 19 – 21: Dinner with Santa
The most sought-after experience with Santa returns to Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Dinner with Santa includes access to explore the Zoo’s illuminated grounds coupled with lasting memories with loved ones and a delicious holiday buffet—including a carving station, vegetarian options and an assortment of tempting treats. Reservations must be made in advance for 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. seatings at the Zoo’s Discovery Center.