Fun continues throughout the fall at Woodland Park Zoo including animal keeper talks on snow leopards and Komodo dragons. Visit zoo.org for a daily schedule of programs. (Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)
Information from Woodland Park Zoo
Pumpkin Bash presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers: Saturday and Sunday, October 26–27, 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a weekend of trick-or-treating around the zoo, pumpkin displays, and more fun for little goblins and ghosts while “ferocious” animals such as otters, red panda, penguins, bears, and more gobble, smash, and play with pumpkins and other autumn-themed treats. Boomazium will feature a not-so-scary puppet show and activities for the youngest of guests. Pumpkin Bash is free with zoo admission or membership and kids are encouraged to come in costume. One free child ticket per each full-priced adult ticket. Available for purchase now at www.tickets.zoo.org or at any zoo ticket window.
WildLanterns presented by BECU: November 15, 2024 through January 19, 2025, 4:00–9:00 p.m.
WildLanterns presented by BECU is back in spectacular fashion this winter with an all-new, immersive, wild wonder that promises a magical holiday experience for all! Visit www.zoo.org/wildlanterns for information and ticket prices. Closed Mondays (except December 16, 23 and 30), Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Open New Year’s Day. Beginning in January, WildLanterns will change to a Thursday – Sunday weekly opening and will be closed Mondays through Wednesdays.
Historic Carousel: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily
Take a whirl on Woodland Park Zoo’s Historic Carousel of classic, hand-carved wooden carousel horses. Cost: $3 a ride, in addition to zoo admission.
Animal keeper talks and guest experiences
Programs are offered through fall 2024 and are free with zoo admission except as noted. Daily schedules and locations are posted at the zoo’s South Entrance (N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N.), West Entrance (Phinney Ave. N. between N. 55th & N. 56th Sts.) and www.zoo.org. All programs are subject to cancellation due to weather, animal availability or staff availability.
Sundays
10:30 Flamingo Keeper Talk
11:30 Tiger Training Demonstration
1:00 Gorilla Talk
1:30 Rhino Keeper Talk
2:00 Ambassador Animals Training Demonstration
2:30 Penguin Snack Time
Mondays
11:00 Snow Leopard Keeper Talk
12:00 Komodo Dragon Keeper Talk
1:00 Jaguar Keeper Talk
2:30 Tropical Rain Forest Dome Keeper Talk
Tuesdays
11:00 Brown Bear Keeper Talk
1:00 Sloth Bear Keeper Talk
1:30 Gardener Talk – Tropical Rain Forest
2:00 Red Panda Keeper Talk
2:30 Komodo Dragon Keeper Talk
Wednesdays
10:30 Look Listen Feel Storytime
11:00 Snow Leopard Keeper Talk
12:00 Kea Keeper Talk
2:30 Little Monkeys Keeper Talk
Thursdays
11:00 Brown Bear Keeper Talk
12:45 Make Enrichment for Kea
1:00 Sloth Bear Talk
1:30 Kea Keeper Talk
2:00 Crane Keeper Talk
2:30 Komodo Dragon Keeper Talk
Fridays
10:30 Look Listen Feel Storytime
11:00 Warthog Keeper Talk
12:00 Komodo Dragon Keeper Talk
1:00 Lynx Keeper Talk
2:30 Asian Small-clawed Otter Keeper Talk
Saturdays
10:30 Flamingo Keeper Talk
11:30 Tiger Training Demonstration
1:00 Red Panda Keeper Talk
1:30 Rhino Keeper Talk
2:00 Ambassador Animals Training Demonstration
2:30 Penguin Snack Time
Experience highlights
Penguin Snack Time: 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays
The zoo’s Humboldt penguin colony has more than 40 individuals all with different “penguinalities.” Come and hear about all the recent action, drama, and comedy happening
between the penguins while watching them receive their afternoon snacks.
Tiger Training Demonstration: 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Sundays
How do animal keepers safely work with large powerful predators? Learn how training allows tigers to participate in their health care and discover what Woodland Park Zoo is doing to protect these iconic cats.
Make Enrichment for Animals – Kea: 12:45 p.m. Thursdays
Animals like to solve puzzles, explore, sniff, play and tear apart. Learn what it takes to provide fun opportunities for animals to show off their natural skills and build enrichment for the zoo’s keas. Head to Zoomazium for this hands-on building experience.
Animal Training Demonstration 2:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays
Swing by the Wildlife Theater to observe a training demonstration and learn how animal keepers use training to care for many of the animals. By building trust and personal connections with the animals, keepers can work alongside them to check their health, provide enrichment and learn everyone’s personality.
Senior Zoo Walkers (fee based)
Join the zoo for programs designed especially for seniors! The self-guided social walking program promotes fitness and well-being among adults ages 55 and up. Participants spend time socializing with peers in a beautiful natural setting while being active and learning more about wildlife. For more information and to register, visit https://www.zoo.org/seniorzoowalkers
Indoor children’s experiences
Zoomazium: 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. daily
With different play areas for children birth to 8, Zoomazium is an indoor place to explore, learn and have fun! What could be more fun than exploring a mountain cave, crossing a rope bridge in the tree canopy, discovering what lies beneath a savanna water hole or even climbing a 20-foot tree?! All this and more are awaiting discovery for young children developing their interest in nature. Join the zoo every Friday for a sensory conscious experience on Low-sensory Friday.
Shake, Rattle, Roar: 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays in Zoomazium
Toddlers and caregivers are invited to sing, dance, and play instruments to animal and nature-themed music.
Look Listen Feel Storytime: 10:30. a.m. Wednesdays, Fridays
Come hear a story with hands-on elements in Cathy Herzig Basecamp Northwest. Designed for young guests, this story time experience is designed to be multisensory and themed to each season.
General information
Fall/winter zoo hours: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily. For admission prices and tickets, visit www.zoo.org/visit.
Accessibility: Information about accessibility and resources, one-to-one aides, sighted guides, mobility equipment rentals, and a sensory map and tools can be found at www.zoo.org/access. For questions or to request disability accommodations for zoo programs or events, contact zooinfo@zoo.org.
Gifts/food: Explore the ZooStores for extraordinary gifts and zoo souvenirs. Stop by 1899 Grove or other concessionaire locations to quench your thirst or appetite and look for vegan options including black bean burger, salads with vegan dressings, cauliflower chickpea tacos and NEW Rebellyous plant-based nuggets.
Enter Woodland Park Zoo through the West Entrance at Phinney Ave. N. between N. 55th & N. 56th Sts. or South Entrance at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N.
For more information or to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500. Follow the zoo on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
For more information, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500. Follow the zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.