Schedule of Events for 2024
JANUARY 2024
January 1 New Year’s Day Zoo Closed
FEBRUARY
February 3 Sneaky Snow Leopards Camp 1:00-2:30 PM Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
February 3 Sneaky Snow Leopards Camp 3:00-4:30 PM Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
February 22 Annual Members’ Meeting Municipal Country Club, 930 N. Griffin Street, 6:30-9:00 PM
MARCH
March 9 Fantastic Farm Animals Camp 1:00-2:30 PM Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
March 9 Fantastic Farm Animals Camp 3:00-4:30 PM Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
March 16 Family Zookeeper Camp 1:00-4:30 PM Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and any children ages 5-18
March 23 Easter Egg Hunt 1:00-3:00 PM, ages 0-12
March 31 Easter Sunday Zoo Closed
APRIL
April 3 Zoo Crew Open House, ages 13-17, 6:00-7:00
April 20 Family Zookeeper Camp 1:00-4:30 PM Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and any children ages 5-18
April 27 Frog Watch Training, 1:00-3:00 PM, all ages welcome
April 27 Opening Day of 63rd Season, Open Daily 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, weather permitting
MAY
May 4 Happy Horses Camp 1:00-2:30 PM Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
May 4 Happy Horses Camp 3:00-4:30 PM Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
May 7 Fourth Grade Conservation Day 9:00-11:30 AM and 12:30-3:00 PM
May 8 Preschool Early Open Hours Zoo opens at 9:00am for Preschool School Groups
May 9 Preschool Early Open Hours Zoo opens at 9:00am for Preschool School Groups
May 12 Mother’s Day All moms receive discounted admission and free train ride
May 16 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
May 18 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
May 28 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
May 30 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
JUNE
June 4 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
June 5 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
June 5 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
June 8 Snow Cones for Conservation 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
June 10-14 Conservation Camp 1 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
June 12 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
June 15 Children’s Day Fun & Games 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, prize drawing at 1:00 PM
June 16 Father’s Day All dads receive discounted admission and free train ride
June 19 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
June 19 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
June 21 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 3:30-4:30 PM
June 21-22 Family Zoo Snooze 1 6:00-9:00 PM (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
June 22 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
June 24-28 Conservation Camp 2 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
June 26 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
JULY
July 1 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 3 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 3 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 8-12 Conservation Camp 3 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
July 10 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 13 Snow Cones for Conservation 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
July 16 Annual Members’ Appreciation Picnic 4:00-7:00 PM. Zoo Grounds Close at 3:00 PM
July 17 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 18 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 19 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 19-20 Family Zoo Snooze 2 6:00-9:00 PM (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
July 20 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
July 22-26 Conservation Camp 4 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
July 24 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 27 Tiger Conservation Day (1:00 PM-3:00 PM)
July 30 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 31 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 31 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
AUGUST
August 5-9 Conservation Camp 5 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
August 7 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
August 10 Snow Cones for Conservation 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
August 13 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
August 14 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
August 15 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
August 15 Brew at the Zoo 6:00-9:00 PM, Zoo Grounds Close at 4:00 PM
August 17 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
August 21 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
August 22 Begin limited train and concession stand hours, 4:00-6:00 PM on weekdays, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM on weekends
August 30 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
SEPTEMBER
September 14 Proud Penguins Camp 1:00-2:30 PM Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
September 14 Proud Penguins Camp 3:00-4:30 PM Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
September 14 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
September 21 It’s for the Animals Wine Tasting & Silent Auction 7:00-9:00 PM. Zoo Grounds Close at 5:00 PM
September 29 Last Day of Summer Hours
OCTOBER
October 4 Begin Winter Hours, Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 1:00-5:00 PM, weather permitting
October 12 Rambunctious Reptiles Camp 1:00-2:30 PM Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
October 12 Rambunctious Reptiles Camp 3:00-4:30 PM Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
October 26 Zoo Boo! Trick or Treat Event 1:00-4:00 PM
NOVEMBER
November 2 Tremendous Tigers Camp 1:00-2:30 PM Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
November 2 Tremendous Tigers Camp 3:00-4:30 PM Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
November 16 Family Zookeeper Camp Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and any children ages 5-18
November 28 Happy Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER
December 7 Story Time with Santa 1:15-1:45 PM
Pictures with Santa 2:00-4:00 PM
December 8 Story Time with Santa 1:15-1:45 PM
Pictures with Santa 2:00-4:00 PM
December 14 Story Time with Santa 1:15-1:45 PM
Pictures with Santa 2:00-4:00 PM
December 15 Story Time with Santa 1:15-1:45 PM
Pictures with Santa 2:00-4:00 PM
December 21 Story Time with Santa 1:15-1:45 PM
Pictures with Santa 2:00-4:00 PM
December 22 Story Time with Santa 1:15-1:45 PM
Pictures with Santa 2:00-4:00 PM
Visit www.dakotazoo.org for additional information and schedule updates!