Dakota Zoo Schedule of Events
DECEMBER 2024
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
JANUARY 2025
January 1 New Year’s Day Zoo Closed
FEBRUARY
February 1 Sneaky Snow Leopards Camp Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
February 1 Sneaky Snow Leopards Camp Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
February 20 Annual Members’ Meeting Location TBD, 6:00-9:00 PM
MARCH
March 8 Fantastic Farm Animals Camp Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
March 8 Fantastic Farm Animals Camp Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
APRIL
April 9 Zoo Crew Open House, ages 13-17, 6:00-7:00
April 12 Easter Egg Hunt 1:00-3:00 PM, ages 0-12
April 20 Easter Sunday Zoo Closed
April 26 Opening Day of 64th Season, Open Daily 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, weather permitting
April 26 Family Zookeeper Camp Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and any children ages 5-18
MAY
May 3 Playful Primates Camp Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
May 3 Playful Primates Camp Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
May 6 Fourth Grade Conservation Day 9:00-11:30 AM and 12:30-3:00 PM
May 11 Mother’s Day All moms receive discounted admission and free train ride
May 15 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
May 17 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
May 27 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
May 29 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
JUNE
June 3 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
June 4 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
June 5 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
June 7 Snow Cones for Conservation 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
June 9-13 Conservation Camp 1 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
June 11 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
June 14 Children’s Day Fun & Games 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, prize drawing at 1:00 PM
June 15 Father’s Day All dads receive discounted admission and free train ride
June 18 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 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
June 20-21 Family Zoo Snooze 1 6:00-9:00 PM (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
June 21 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
June 23-27 Conservation Camp 2 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
June 25 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
JULY
July 1 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 2 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 3 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 7-11 Conservation Camp 3 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
July 9 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 12 Snow Cones for Conservation 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
July 15 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM
July 15 Annual Members’ Appreciation Picnic 4:00-7:00 PM. Zoo Grounds Close at 3:00 PM
July 16 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 17 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 18-19 Family Zoo Snooze 2 6:00-9:00 PM (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
July 19 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
July 21-25 Conservation Camp 4 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
July 23 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 26 Tiger Conservation Day
July 29 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
July 30 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
July 31 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
AUGUST
August 4-8 Conservation Camp 5 1:00-4:30 PM, ages 8-12, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
August 6 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
August 7 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
August 9 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
August 9 Snow Cones for Conservation 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
August 12 BioFact Talks 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
August 13 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
August 14 Ambassador Animal Close-Ups 10:30-11:30 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
August 14 Brew at the Zoo 6:00-9:00 PM, Zoo Grounds Close at 4:00 PM
August 16 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
August 20 Open Late (until 7:00 PM)
August 19 BPS First Day of School, begin limited train and concession stand hours, 4:00-6:00 PM on weekdays, open 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 13 Proud Penguins Camp Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
September 13 Proud Penguins Camp Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
September 13 Breakfast at the Zoo 8:00-10:00am
September 20 It’s for the Animals Wine Tasting & Silent Auction 7:00-9:00 PM. Zoo Grounds Close at 5:00 PM
September 28 Last Day of Summer Hours
OCTOBER
October 3 Begin Winter Hours, Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 1:00-5:00 PM, weather permitting
October 11 Rambunctious Reptiles Camp Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
October 11 Rambunctious Reptiles Camp Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
October 25 Zoo Boo! Trick or Treat Event 1:00-4:00 PM
NOVEMBER
November 1 Tremendous Tigers Camp Little Tykes Ed-Ventures ages 3-4, participants with parent/adult guardian, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
November 1 Tremendous Tigers Camp Animal Ed-Ventures ages 5-7, (registration required at least 7 days in advance)
November 15 Family Zookeeper Camp Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and any children ages 5-18
November 27 Happy Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER
December 6 Story Time with Santa 1:15-1:45 PM
Pictures with Santa 2:00-4:00 PM
December 7 Story Time with Santa 1:15-1:45 PM
Pictures with Santa 2:00-4:00 PM
December 13 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 20 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
Schedule subject to change. Please Visit www.dakotazoo.org for additional information and schedule updates!
Visit www.dakotazoo.org for additional information and schedule updates!