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October 2019
BOO! at the Zoo
Join us for a free, family-friendly Halloween event! Enjoy 15 candy stations throughout the zoo. Face-painting available 9:30am - 3:30pm. Costume parade at noon from the Education Pavilion. Who will have the best costume? And of course - animals with pumpkins!
Find out more »November 2019
Paintings for Penguins
Stroll around the zoo after hours and view art created by zoo residents and Madison artists.
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Zoo Lights
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with one of Madison's most unique events!
Find out more »December 2019
BREW LIGHTS 2019
Join us for our annual 21+ beer tasting event! Sample beers from local and regional breweries as you marvel at the spectacle of over 800,000 lights throughout the zoo! Tickets: VIP Tickets ($85) Enjoy early access to the zoo for an exclusive polar bear encounter, plus all the benefits of General Admission! General Admission ($45 in advance/$60 at the gate) Fill your commemorative glass with unlimited tastings from breweries, enjoy a live DJ, unlimited carousel rides, and a photo booth…
Find out more »February 2020
International Polar Bear Day
Join our polar bears, Nuniq and Berit, and learn about ways you can take action to protect their habitat in the wild! Activities happening in the Discovery Center from 11am-3pm, including games and crafts. 11am - Keeper Chat - Bear Exhibit Noon - Story time - Discovery Center 1pm - Story time - Discovery Center 2pm - Keeper Chat - Bear Exhibit
Find out more »April 2020
POSTPONED – Party for the Planet
Note: This event has been postponed. Please check back soon for further information. Click here for: Español or Hmoob We are throwing a Party for the Planet, and you’re invited! You can participate in activities and actions to make a positive impact on the many challenges facing our planet, starting right here in the Zoo’s local watershed. Over one billion people around the globe are expected to step up to make the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day an inspiring…
Find out more »September 2020
RUN WILD 2020
We have made the decision to hold our RUN WILD 5/10k race virtually this year. RUN WILD is one of our most successful events of the year and we always look forward to seeing everyone come out to support the Zoo, and we hope that you will consider racing with us virtually this year! Sign up for the 5k or 10k distance and run your course any time between September 20 and October 4. Run near your home or on…
Find out more »September 2021
2021 Run Wild
Join us in-person for this year's RUN WILD! This year is all about pollinators! Bats, bees, butterflies, and other small mammals who pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food. They also sustain our ecosystems and produce natural resources by helping plants reproduce. Help us raise awareness about the importance of pollinators. Everyone who runs or walks will receive a Run Wild t-shirt. This year, instead of medals all adult participants will be…
Find out more »October 2021
Adult Trivia Night
Are you smarter than a zookeeper? Join us for a fun-filled evening of animal and Halloween-themed trivia at Henry Vilas Zoo! Show off your animal knowledge and learn new trivia to impress your friends and family! In between trivia sets, meet and learn about some of our spooky (and not so spooky) education animals. Snacks provided. Please eat dinner before you arrive. Costumes welcome! This is a non-alcoholic event for adults age 18+. Pre-registration required. Registration is closed for this event.
Find out more »November 2021
Zoo Lights 2021
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!! Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with one of the most unique events in Madison! This one-of-a-kind festival of lights begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs Fridays-Sundays from 5:30pm – 9pm until December 30th. Buy hot chocolate or hot apple cider and stroll through the zoo at night while seeing almost 1 million holiday lights! Adults 21+ can also purchase boozy hot chocolate during Zoo Lights! Come see the zoo like you’ve never…
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