Special Events are FREE with Zoo Admission, unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, April 11, 10am – 12pm

Join us for an “egg-cellent” day! Enjoy a special story time with the most popular bunny of spring- a real-life, giant bunny from the Zoo! Get your bunny whiskers painted on, make a bunny-ear craft, and take part in a scavenger hunt-with a special prize egg for the first 100 families to complete the hunt!

Sunday, April 26, 9:30am – 3pm

Ages 14-22

This conference is for young adults interested in pursuing an animal-based career, but are not sure in what direction to go. Presenters from diverse and varied animal careers will present on their personal journeys, their jobs, and their field. Participants should bring their own packed lunch, or may purchase at the Concessions Stand.

Members: $25 per participant | Non-members: $30 per participant

Saturday, April 25, 10am – 2pm

Celebrate the 50th Earth Day with the Zoo! Join the Brandywine Zoo and Waste Management in opting out of single use consumer plastics this year by joining our Reduce Plastic Pollution campaign-where we are asking Delaware residents and businesses to say “No Thanks” to disposable products and instead bring their own! A limited number of reusable drinking straws and travel cutlery sets will be available to our guests joining us to Party for the Planet. Plus, help us start our new Monarch Waystation by planting milkweed on Zoo grounds, and even take home your own plant (while supplies last)!

Saturday, May 9, 10am – 2pm

“Migrate” through the zoo and join us for special talks and activities where we will learn about spring bird migrations and how you can help birds in your backyard! Meet our American Kestrel Monitoring program researcher, make observations at our bird blind, and learn about different bird feeders to attract a variety of birds to your home!

Saturday, May 16, 10am – 2pm

What you can do to help protect endangered species around the world and right here in Delaware? Join the Brandywine Zoo and Waste Management in opting out of single use consumer plastics this year by joining our Reduce Plastic Pollution campaign-where we are asking Delaware residents and businesses to say “No Thanks” to disposable products and bring instead their own! A limited number of reusable drinking straws and travel cutlery sets will be available to our guests joining us to End Extinction, starting at home and in our community. Plus, we will continue installation of our new Monarch Waystation by planting milkweed and other pollinator plants on Zoo grounds. Guests can help us plant and even take home their own plant (while supplies last)!

Sunday, June 14, 11am – 3pm

Oysters. The Ocean. Beer. And You! Learn about what YOU can do to help the oceans, starting right here in Delaware. The Chesapeake Mermaid will be here to tell her tales from the bay and introduce you to her wildlife friends. Come for story time and stay for meet and greets with photo opportunities. Additionally, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will join us as we focus on oyster conservation! Partners of PDE’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program will be on hand for oyster tasting. Beer stations will also be open during the event.

Thursday, June 18, 6 – 8pm

Special evening hours hosted by 93.7 WSTW. Meet radio personalities and enjoy special games, activities, and of course, live animals! $1 hot dogs and soft drinks, too! Free parking.

Members: Free | Non-members: $1

Saturday, June 20, 9 – 10am

Enjoy a hot pancake, egg, and sausage breakfast, provided by Janssen’s Market, in the zoo as the animals wake up and start their day! Breakfast served in the zoo (weather permitting) before the zoo opens to the general public, with special animal encounters and keeper talks. All participants ages 18 months and up must pay program fee. Pre-registration required, as space is extremely limited. Due to space constraints, if your child under 18 months requires a seat (high chairs are not available), we ask that you purchase a ticket for them.

Members: $12 | Non-members: $15

Saturday, July 11, 10am – 12pm

Is your stuffed animal under the weather? Teddy feeling a bit blue? Bring your favorite stuffed animal, or adopt one from the gift shop, to get a checkup with our Zoo Veterinarian. Stuffed animals might get their vitals checked, bandaged or given “medicine” to make sure they have a clean bill of health before heading home with you!

Wednesday, July 15, 6 – 8pm

Special evening hours hosted by 93.7 WSTW. Meet radio personalities and enjoy special games, activities, and of course, live animals! $1 hot dogs and soft drinks, too! Free parking.

Members: Free | Non-members: $1

Saturday, July 18, 9 – 10am

Enjoy a hot pancake, egg, and sausage breakfast, provided by Janssen’s Market, in the zoo as the animals wake up and start their day! Breakfast served in the zoo (weather permitting) before the zoo opens to the general public, with special animal encounters and keeper talks. All participants ages 18 months and up must pay program fee. Pre-registration required, as space is extremely limited. Due to space constraints, if your child under 18 months requires a seat (high chairs are not available), we ask that you purchase a ticket for them.

Members: $12 | Non-members: $15

Saturday, July 25, 10am – 2pm

Wizards, welcome! Learn from our magical game keepers about caring for fantastic beasts here at the Zoo! Fans young and old are encouraged to to dress in their favorite wizard robes, pick out a wand (first 200 people), and visit the hat sorting station. Stop by our herbology lesson, meet some of fantastic creatures throughout the day, see our keepers demonstrate their skills using potions and enrichment, and attend a class on magical beasts!

Tuesday, August 11, 6 – 8pm

Special evening hours hosted by 93.7 WSTW. Meet radio personalities and enjoy special games, activities, and of course, live animals! $1 hot dogs and soft drinks, too! Free parking.

Members: Free | Non-members: $1

Saturday, August 15, 10am – 2pm

It’s National Honeybee Day! Today we celebrate bees and all their hard work with special talks and activities!

Saturday, August 22, 9 – 10am

Enjoy a hot pancake, egg, and sausage breakfast, provided by Janssen’s Market, in the zoo as the animals wake up and start their day! Breakfast served in the zoo (weather permitting) before the zoo opens to the general public, with special animal encounters and keeper talks. All participants ages 18 months and up must pay program fee. Pre-registration required, as space is extremely limited. Due to space constraints, if your child under 18 months requires a seat (high chairs are not available), we ask that you purchase a ticket for them.

Members: $12 | Non-members: $15

Saturday, September 5, 10 – 2pm

Vultures are the most threatened group of birds, with over 2/3 facing extinction. Today, dress up like a vulture to learn how they’re adapted, complete a “Scavenger” hunt throughout the zoo, learn about the African Vulture SAFE program and the Vulture Crisis, and celebrate all things “vulture!”

Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13, 10 – 3:30pm

During Arts Festival. Enjoy a special weekend at the Zoo during the Brandywine Festival of Arts!

Members: Free | Non-members: Special admission rate during Arts Festival of $1/person

Friday, September 25, 5:30 – 9pm

Ages 21+ Please note the Zoo will close at 1pm for setup. Join the Delaware Zoological Society, which supports the Brandywine Zoo, in its annual fundraiser, Brew at the Zoo! Visit the zoo after hours in this fun, outdoor event which includes tastings of beer in a keepsake souvenir cup. Light fare provided by local restaurants. Plus, a variety of unique items are available under our Silent Auction tent with proceeds benefiting the Zoo. Brew t-shirts are available for purchase and the gift shop is open for shopping! Must be 21 or older to attend, no children at the event. Rain or shine. Purchase tickets early, as this event usually sells out.

Members: $40 | Non-members: $50 | Designated Driver: $25

Thursday, October 15, Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17, 5 – 7pm

Trick-or-Treat at the Brandywine Zoo! Celebrate Halloween Brandywine Zoo-style with this merry, not scary, event. Kids can trick-or-treat through the zoo as it gets dark in their Halloween costumes!

Members: Free | Non-members: $6

Saturday, October 24, 9:30am – 3pm

Ages 14-22

This conference is for young adults interested in pursuing an animal-based career, but are not sure in what direction to go. Presenters from diverse and varied animal careers will present on their personal journeys, their jobs, and their field. Participants should bring their own packed lunch, or may purchase at the Concessions Stand.

Members: $25 per participant | Non-members: $30 per participant

Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December, 13, 9 – 10am

Share your holiday wishes with Santa, bring your camera to take photos with him and some animal friends, make decorations and enjoy a few up-close animal encounters all before the zoo opens. Plus, watch a few animals get their breakfast while you eat your pancake breakfast!  Space is very limited for this event, so please register early. Breakfast is provided by Janssen’s Market. All participants ages 18 months and up must pay program fee. All participants ages 18 months and up must pay program fee. Pre-registration required, as space is extremely limited. Due to space constraints, if your child under 18 months requires a seat (high chairs are not available), we ask that you purchase a ticket for them. Pre-registration required as space is very limited for this event. 

Members: $19 | Non-members: $22

Thursday, December31, 11am – 12:15pm

Program fees will begin charging at Admission Gates starting at 10 am. Celebrate the New Year Zoo-style by ringing in the New Year at NOON! We’ll have games, crafts, and a celebratory atmosphere and of course a sparkling cider toast as the clock strikes 12 (Noon that is!) Program takes place in the zoo so dress for the weather!

Members: Free | Non-members: $5 per person advanced registration