At The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, we spring into Spring on Saturday, March 1 when we resume seven-day-a-week operations. There are a variety of events planned for the year, so start planning your visits to The Maryland Zoo. Most events are free with paid Zoo admission (or FREE if you are a Zoo member) unless noted by the ($) symbol. For tickets and event information, please visit the Zoo’s event pages.
International Polar Bear Day
March 2 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Polar bears are in danger and it’s important to be aware! Join our keepers and Educators as they talk about the impacts of climate change on polar bears. Learn about what easy steps can be taken to reduce your own carbon footprint, all while enjoying a day at the Zoo!
Mardi Gras Enrichment Day
March 8 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Zoo grounds
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Watch as the Zoo’s animals receive special Mardi Gras treats decorated in bright New Orleans colors and listen as zookeepers explain the importance of enrichment activities.
Zoo Bloom
March 15 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Come celebrate the start of another wild Zoo season at our newest event! Time to escape your indoor hibernation and enjoy the first signs of spring at The Maryland Zoo. Join us as we kick off another season of fun and family memories with special spring treats, activities and giveaways.
Maryland Farm Awareness Day
March 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Guests will learn about the role that domesticated animals play on farms in Maryland and the conservation benefits and concerns that stem from small and large scale agriculture. Education stations will run between 11-1pm; training demos, sheep shearing and enrichment activities will run throughout the day in the Farmyard.
Mary Sue® Candies Bunny Bonanzoo
April 18-20 | 10.00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | Waterfowl Lake Pavilion
The Easter Bunny has left some eggs behind at the Zoo! Join the Zoo family as we celebrate the holiday with this annual festival, complete with games, crafts, live entertainment, food and free egg hunts. Each child that participates in an egg hunt can redeem their found eggs for Mary Sue chocolate eggs!
Breakfast With Bunny ($)
April 19 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Mansion House Porch
Enjoy a delicious family breakfast, get your photo with the Easter Bunny, visit with some of our Animal Ambassadors, stop by the arts and crafts stations, and spend the rest of you day touring the Zoo.(Ticket includes same-day admission).
Party For The Planet
April 26 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
During Earth Week, our on-grounds Education programming will be themed as a “Party for the Planet.” Visit during the week and celebrate Earth Day by learning how you can make the world a greener place.
International Migratory Bird Day
May 10 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Come visit the Zoo during prime bird migration season! Our on-grounds Education programming will focus on the birds that migrate to and through the area. Learn what the birds are up to when they journey north for the summer!
Endangered Species Day
May 17 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Come and join the Zoo in bringing awareness to the endangered species exhibited on grounds, learn about how important zoos are in helping endangered species and have a chat with some of the animal keepers about the Zoo’s ongoing conservation efforts.
Brew At The Zoo ($)
May 24 & 25 | 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Waterfowl Lake pavilion
Raise your glass and come celebrate Brew at the Zoo! As the largest fundraiser of the year, this event couples food and beverage with live music and fun. Tickets are required and include unlimited beer samplings, a commemorative tasting glass, live bands, access to food and artisan vendors, and admission to the Zoo. VIP packages are available and will sell out quickly.
International Ungulate Day
June 7 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
What’s an ungulate you ask? The term ungulate applies to a wide variety of hoofed mammals like rhino, zebra, okapi and antelope. Visit to learn about the wide variety of graceful grazers here at the Zoo! Guests will have the chance to see enrichment demos, ask the keepers questions and participate in themed activities.
World Giraffe Day
June 21 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Who doesn’t love giraffes? Come and learn all about these tall gentle creatures. Guests will have the chance to see enrichment demos, ask the keepers questions and participate in themed activities.
Red, White & Zoo Enrichment Day
July 4 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Zoo grounds
Come to the Zoo for a day of special animal enrichment! Watch as the Zoo’s animals receive special Fourth of July treats, including “fishsicles” and paper mache toys, and listen as zookeepers explain the importance of enrichment activities.
World Snake Day
July 16 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Don’t be sssssilly, ssssnakes are a valuable part of our environment! Zoo staff will debunk the mythsss about sssnakes and you may just discover a whole new sssside to these sssslithering herps! Ask the keepers questions and participate in some fun, themed activities.
World Lion Day
August 10 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Roar, meow, and growl – the Zoo’s lions are on the prowl! From conservation efforts to daily husbandry practices, learn all about the Zoo’s lions as they engage in special enrichment activities.
Panamanian Golden Frog Awareness Day
August 14 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
These tiny gold-and-black frogs are almost completely extinct in the wild, yet they are thriving under the care of zoos and aquariums in the United States. Join us to learn about the threats Panamanian golden frogs face in the wild, as well as what the Zoo is doing to help them survive. Guests will be able to attend keeper chats and learn about these amazing frogs from Educators throughout the day!
Elephant Awareness Day
September 21 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Earth’s largest land mammals are some of the most fascinating animals in the Zoo. Please join us for Elephant Awareness Day and learn about challenges facing elephants in the wild and what you can do to help them! Bring all your elephant questions and talk to our Zoo experts about the daily care they provide for the elephants here at the Zoo.
World Rhino Day
September 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Rhino species are facing the threat of extinction and this international day was created in efforts to keep five rhino species forever! This themed day at the Zoo is filled with educational rhino fun where guests can attend keeper chats, ask the keepers themselves questions and participate in raffles and activities.
Animal Enrichment Day
October 5 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Zoo grounds
Come to the Zoo for a day of special animal enrichment! Watch as the Zoo’s animals receive special treats, such as bags filled with hay and produce, icy fish and fruit treats, as well as paper mache toys filled with fruits and nuts, and listen as zookeepers explain the importance of enrichment activities.
Penguin Awareness Day
October 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Rock Island
Did you know that the Zoo’s penguins are from South Africa and actually enjoy warm weather? From conservation efforts to daily husbandry practices, learn all about the Zoo’s amazing penguin colony. We have it on the best authority that penguin gazing is good for your health!
OktoBEARfest
October [date tbd] | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Waterfowl Lake Pavilion
Get out your lederhosen, polish up your Polka steps and join us for OktoBEARfest, a fall beer festival being held in conjunction with Baltimore Beer Week. The event is held in the Zoo’s Waterfowl Lake Pavilion area and will feature a host of seasonal ales, Oktoberfest inspired foods and live music.
ZooBooo!
October 24-26 | 10:00a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Waterfowl Lake Pavilion
Calling all ghosts, goblins, and friendly monsters! Come to the Zoo dressed to impress and enjoy free trick-or-treating, costume contests, fun carnival games, crafts, live entertainment, delicious food and more! Don’t miss out on the most spooktacular festival of the year!
Zoo Zoom
November 23 | 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
It’s back… Zoo Zoom, the wildly popular 8K race that winds its way through Druid Hill Park and the Zoo. This year, Zoo Zoom will take place at 8:30 am, followed by a Family Fun Run at 9:30 am.
Breakfast With Santa & Friends ($)
December 14 & 20 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00a.m. | Mansion House Porch
Join us for holiday cheer and celebration while enjoying a buffet breakfast on the Zoo’s Mansion House Porch, creating unique seasonal crafts, and meeting with some of Santa’s feathered friends (think penguins!) When you hear the jingle bells begin to jingle, Kris Kringle is on his way! Visit Santa and tell him your wishes for the holiday season.
Stay up to date on Zoo events and information. For tickets and information about each event, please visit the Zoo’s events section or e-mail events@marylandzoo.org, or call 443-552-5276.
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