Brookfield Zoo Chicago unveils summer BOGO offer before launching fall and holiday lineup
New Member Appreciation Month joins Boo! at the Zoo, Holiday Magic, cultural celebrations and festive fun for all ages as part of the Zoo's seasonal traditions and new experiences offered through January
Brookfield, IL—Wildlife, wonder and seasonal traditions come together at Brookfield Zoo Chicago for can’t-miss festive fun this fall and winter, but there’s still time to enjoy summer at the Zoo with a new buy-one-get-one-free summer special! From fall festivals and Halloween fun to dazzling holiday traditions and opportunities to discover new wildlife, guests can fill the cooler months ahead with special experiences for every generation. The lineup now through January includes returning favorites, new celebrations and plenty of reasons to make a day at the Zoo top of your list!
Brookfield Zoo Chicago's summer hours (9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) continue until Sept. 8, when the Zoo's hours shift to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Hours and must-know information for your next visit are available at brookfieldzoo.org/visit.
NEW! Aug. 24 – Sept. 4: BOGO Summer Special for Zoo Admission*
School might be back, but summer isn’t over yet! Guests can squeeze in one more wild adventure at Brookfield Zoo Chicago before summer ends with a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) general admission ticket of equal or lesser value. This summer special is available on site at the Zoo’s North Gate entrance only.
Through Oct. 25: Dinos!
Don’t miss your last chance to see the dinosaurs before they go extinct at Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Guests can dig for fossils, journey through a massive rib-cage tunnel and come face-to-face with life size dinosaurs all around the Zoo.
NEW! September: Member Appreciation Month
Brookfield Zoo Chicago celebrates its members throughout September! Each week, Zoo members will receive special offers, giveaways, discounts and more as a thank you for their support of the Zoo. The month-long celebration will conclude with opportunities to meet Animal Ambassadors and a raffle, with each visit in September earning a raffle entry for the chance to win a one-year membership, a Wild Connections experience or free admission for 10 guests.
Sept. 13: Seventh Annual First Responders Day
Guests are invited to show appreciation for firefighters, police officers, Emergency Medical Services workers and other first responders during this seventh annual event. It includes a ceremonial parade at 11 a.m., meet and greets with local K-9 units, “touch a truck” experiences and the opportunity to interact with representatives from up to 50 local agencies and organizations.
NEW! Sept. 13: Grandparents Day Launches Senior Sundays powered by Uber*
For more than 90 years, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has welcomed generations of families to create shared experiences that become lasting traditions. On Grandparents Day, guests can celebrate those special connections while enjoying a day at the Zoo with the launch of Senior Sundays powered by Uber, a new discount offered on site for buy-one-get-one senior admission on Sundays through Nov. 22.
Sept. 19 – 20: Oktoberfest presented by Leinenkugel
Prost! to Oktoberfest at Brookfield Zoo Chicago with family-friendly fun music, games, giveaways and more. This German-style event will feature a special seasonal menu with bratwursts, specialty beers, pretzels with cheese and more available for purchase.
Sept. 26: Hispanic Heritage Fest
Hispanic Heritage Fest returns to Brookfield Zoo Chicago with live music, delectable cuisine, cultural performances, bilingual experiences, Zoo Chats featuring animals native to Latin America and more! The full program schedule will be available on the event page soon.
Oct. 3 – 25: 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, animal enrichment and more fun for ghosts and goblins of all ages. Weekend programming includes Boo-tastic costume parades, trick-or-treating stations on the East Mall, inflatables, purchasable pumpkin decorating experience and more.
Select Dates Oct. 4 – 31: Haunted Walking Tours*
As twilight falls, discover a different side of Brookfield Zoo Chicago during the return of Haunted Walking Tours. Recommended for guests ages 13 and older, these 4 p.m. guided tours explore the Zoo’s southwest corridor while sharing stories of common phobias and the ways science and nature can help explain the seemingly supernatural. Tickets available soon at brookfieldzoo.org/attractions.
Oct. 5: Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner*
Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Board of Trustees and Women’s Board invite guests to the Four Seasons Chicago for an inspiring evening recognizing individuals and organizations making a lasting difference for wildlife, communities and conservation around the globe. This year’s honorees will be announced soon. Tickets are available now, with proceeds supporting the Zoo’s mission.
Oct. 17: Cook County Military & Veterans Resource Fair*
The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs invites veterans, service members and military members to the Cook County Military and Veterans Resource Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Advance registration and proof of military service are encouraged.
Oct. 24: Boo! Brunch*
Show off your spook-tacular costumes at Boo! Brunch. This one-day-only Halloween celebration features a festive buffet with a hauntingly good twist on brunch favorites and a signature witches’ brew lemonade. Tickets include Zoo admission, pumpkin decorating, face painting, themed photo opps and more. Advance reservations are required for 10 a.m. or noon seatings, with Zoo members receiving a discount on Boo! Brunch tickets.
Oct. 28 – Nov. 4: 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 celebrating the lives and memories of beloved pets that have passed on. Guests can make an offering and/or share a photo, name and a special story about a cherished companion to be included in the Zoo’s Beloved Pets Community Ofrenda, displayed Oct. 28 to Nov. 4. Details will be available soon on brookfieldzoo.org/events.
Nov. 7 – 8: Tree Trim*
Help bring Chicagoland’s longest-running light festival to life during Tree Trim! Families, friends, businesses and community groups are invited to decorate trees throughout Zoo grounds. Trees will be available for purchase beginning Sept. 1. Registration details, decorating guidelines and convenient food options are available on the event page. Reserve a tree early before they're all claimed!
Nov. 7: Wines in the Wild*
Raise a glass to wildlife at the annual Wines in the Wild fundraiser held by Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Women’s Board! This elevated fundraiser invites guests to enjoy wine and spirit tastings, a silent auction, raffle and more. Tickets and details will be available soon on brookfieldzoo.org/events!
Nov. 14: Reindeer Run*
Get in the holiday spirit on the run during Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s annual Reindeer Run! Guests of all ages and running levels can run or walk this two-mile course after Zoo hours, getting a first look at the festive grounds aglow for Holiday Magic. Tickets are now on sale with early bird pricing until September 30.
Nov. 19: Holiday Sip & Stroll*
Toast the holiday season during Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Holiday Sip & Stroll! Guests ages 21 and over can enjoy an adult-only preview of the Zoo's grounds aglow for Holiday Magic, complete with seasonal cocktails, music and lots of holiday cheer from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Select Dates Nov. 20 – Jan. 3: Holiday Magic presented by ComEd*
Chicagoland’s longest-running holiday lights festival returns for its 45th year! Holiday Magic presented by ComEd transforms Brookfield Zoo Chicago into a dazzling celebration of the season with more than 3.5 million lights and festive decorations. Guests of all ages can enjoy holiday traditions like photos with Santa, seasonal treats, shopping and more. Zoo members experience Holiday Magic for free! More details on this year’s experience will be shared this fall.
Nov. 21: Celebration of Native American Heritage
Brookfield Zoo Chicago celebrates Native American Heritage with a day recognizing the traditions, cultures and connections to wildlife and nature of Native American communities. This special day reflects the Zoo’s commitment to honoring the original stewards of the land on which it resides and features programming highlighting traditions and species that hold significance to these communities.
Select Dates Nov. 30 – Dec. 16: Senior Lights Tours*
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is partnering with local senior community centers and nursing homes to offer guided bus tours through Holiday Magic on select evenings. These VIPs can enjoy the Zoo’s dazzling holiday displays from the comfort of their bus during this festive seasonal outing. Advance reservations are required, and participating organizations must provide their own bus. Dates and details will be available soon on brookfieldzoo.org/events!
Dec. 6: Holly Jolly Gingerbread Party*
Gingerbread, Santa and Animal Ambassadors make for a holly jolly afternoon! Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Women’s Board invites families and friends to this festive fundraiser featuring a delicious brunch, gingerbread house decorating, visit with Santa and more. Tickets and details will be available soon on brookfieldzoo.org/events!
Dec. 17 – 20: Dinner with Santa*
The most sought-after experience with Santa returns to Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Families can explore the Zoo’s illuminated grounds before enjoying a delicious holiday buffet featuring a carving station, vegetarian options and seasonal treats. Advance reservations are required for 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. seatings. Reservations and details will be available soon on brookfieldzoo.org/events!
More Fun to Come!
The Zoo’s seasonal schedule is complemented by a variety of animal-focused experiences and announcements—like the arrival of yellow-backed duiker Frankie and a baby squirrel monkey exploring Tropic World on its mom’s back. Stay in the know by following Brookfield Zoo Chicago on social media and checking out the Zoo's daily schedule before your next visit at brookfieldzoo.org/activities-schedule.
Events with an asterisk (*) are not included in Zoo admission and require a dedicated event ticket and/or advance registration.
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Media Note: B-roll and photos are available for download here, with credit to “© Brookfield Zoo Chicago” for media use only. Journalists interested in capturing content, scheduling interviews or covering an event should contact Zoo PR Manager Megan Pellock in advance at megan.pellock@brookfieldzoo.org or 708-688-8447.
About Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Connect. Care. Conserve.
Since 1934, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been a global leader in animal well-being and conservation, inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Zoo is a private nonprofit organization that operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species—including many of Earth’s most endangered. Brookfield Zoo Chicago was the first zoo in the world to be Humane Certified™ by the American Humane Society for the care and welfare of its animals, and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and ArbNet. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org or follow @BrookfieldZoo on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
