Brookfield Zoo's Schedules August-December Events

Submitted by the Chicago Zoological Society.

Brookfield Zoo
August-December 2015 Calendar of Events

ZooBrew
Aug. 21 (Friday)

Brookfield Zoo’s fourth annual ZooBrew will feature more than 80 beers for guests to enjoy from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. ZooBrew is a one-of-a-kind, 21-and-over beer-tasting event that includes live music and a silent auction with items from participating breweries. General admission tickets, which cost $45 in advance ($55 the day of the event if not sold out) and $35 for zoo members, include free parking, admission to the zoo, 3 oz. beer samplings, and a commemorative tasting glass. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit www.CZS.org/Events.

Zoo Run Run for the Animal Care and Conservation Fund
Sept. 20 (Sunday)

Work up a little sweat while helping endangered species at Brookfield Zoo’s Zoo Run Run for the Animal Care and Conservation Fund. The route will take place entirely within Brookfield Zoo, and participants can enjoy some of their favorite animals along the route. Everyone is welcome to participate individually or to form a team. The more you fundraise for the zoo’s Animal Care and Conservation Fund, the more prizes you win! The annual 5K event is $35 for a chipped-time run and $30 for a fun run and walk. The price includes admission to the zoo for registered participants, as well as family and friends they want to bring along to cheer them on. Zoo Run Run is presented by Walgreens, Aquafina, and Gatorade. For further information and to register for the run, visitwww.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

Cat Awareness Weekend
Sept. 26-27 (Saturday and Sunday)

Visit Brookfield Zoo for a purr-fect weekend and learn about big cats like African lions, Amur leopards, Amur tigers, and snow leopards, as well as small ones, including servals, fishing cats, and house cats. There will be special Zoo Chats and cat-themed activities for cat lovers of all ages. For more information, call(708) 688-8000 or visit www.CZS.org/Events.

Boo! at The Zoo
Oct. 17-18, October 24-25 (Saturdays and Sundays)

Little ghosts and goblins of all ages are sure to have a ghoulishly good time at Brookfield Zoo’s Halloween celebration! The not-so-scary and fun-filled event has something for the entire family to enjoy, including a “Craized Maize” corn maze, a professional pumpkin carver creating 1,000-pound jack-o’-lanterns, a Haunted Hayride, a costume parade and contest, special Zoo Chats, a chance to build a scarecrow, a Haunted Carousel ride, and more. Boo! at the Zoo is presented by Bright Start® College Savings. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit www.CZS.org/Events.

2015 Photo Contest Deadline
Oct. 19 (Monday)

Take your best shot and enter it in the Chicago Zoological Society’s annual Photo Contest. Photo submissions should be 8 x 10 inches and either color or black and white, and they must feature an animal, although it does not have to be taken at Brookfield Zoo. (Photos with people will not be accepted.) Please do not frame or mat your photo. To enter, fill out an entry form and tape it to the back of the photo (one entry per person). Download a form and the official 2015 Photo Contest rules at www.CZS.org/PhotoContest. Forms are also available at the zoo’s north and south information kiosks or by calling (708) 688-8351.

Wines in the Wild
Nov. 7 (Saturday)

Sample superb wines and liquors from around the world, accompanied by great food, at the Chicago Zoological Society’s Wines in the Wild fundraiser, hosted by the Society’s Women’s Board. The evening function will be held in Brookfield Zoo’s Discovery Center from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. and will also feature silent and live auctions. The cost is $100 per person, which includes the tasting, zoo admission, parking, and a commemorative wine glass. Additionally, a VIP Hour, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. will give wine enthusiasts the opportunity to sample exclusive wines not available during the main event and a chance to meet some of Brookfield Zoo’s animal ambassadors up close. VIP ticket prices range from $275 to $1,000. For more information and to make reservations, call (708) 688-8393 or visit www.CZS.org/Wines.

Community Tree Trim
Nov. 21-22 (Saturday-Sunday)

Get in the holiday spirit by decorating one of the hundreds of trees with your handmade ornaments along the malls at Brookfield Zoo. The trees will create a festive atmosphere in the park for the zoo’s upcoming annual Holiday Magic celebration. The cost is $135 ($150 after October 23). Participants will receive 20 complimentary admission and five parking passes to the zoo (extra tickets may be purchased at a discounted rate), a fully lit tree, and a sign featuring the name of the group. Reservations are required. For more information, including ornament guidelines and to reserve a tree, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call(708) 688-8000. Please note registration begins September 1.

Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20 (Saturdays-Sundays)

Enjoy the holiday season with the family at Brookfield Zoo’s annual Breakfast with Santa. The scrumptious all-you-can-eat buffet will be held in the zoo’s Discovery Center and will feature a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Seatings are offered at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. and cost $40.95 for adults and $28.95 for children ages 3-11 (zoo members pay $29.95 and $21.95, respectively). Children 2 and under eat for free. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For further information and to make reservations, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.

Brunch with Santa
Dec. 6, 13, and 20 (Sundays)

Enjoy a relaxing holiday brunch at Brookfield Zoo and then stroll through the spacious park to see your favorite animals. The extravagant all-you-can-eat brunch will be held in the zoo’s Bocaditos restaurant. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance to hear everyone’s wish list and pose for photos. Seatings offered at 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. are limited and reservations are required. The cost, which includes admission to the zoo, is $49.95 for adults and $35.95 for children ages 3-11 (zoo members pay $39.95 and $29.95, respectively). Children 2 and under eat for free. For further information, including the menu, and to make reservations, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.

Holiday Magic
Dec. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20 (Saturdays and Sundays) and December 26-31 (Saturday through Thursday)

Feel the magic of the season at Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic, presented by ComEd and Meijer. During the festival guests can see more than one million twinkling LED lights, ice-carving demonstrations, light shows, and special visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus (through December 20). A full schedule of nightly music and live entertainment, a magic show, costumed characters, a model railroad display, singing to the animals, and more will get everyone into the holiday spirit. Select animal exhibits will be open, as will zoo restaurants and gift shops (in which guests can find gifts for those hard-to-shop-for loved ones). For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit www.CZS.org/Events.

Zoo Year’s Eve
Dec. 31 (Thursday)

Everyone is invited to ring in the New Year at Brookfield Zoo’s Zoo Year’s Eve celebration. A DJ will have the Holly Jolly Theater rockin’ with music, fun games, party favors, prizes, and more beginning at 6:00 p.m. and culminating with an early countdown at 8:00 p.m. Families with younger children can head to Hamill Family Play Zoo, where kids can make noisemakers and also enjoy an early kid-friendly countdown at 8:00 p.m. The event is free with regular zoo admission. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit www.CZS.org/Events.

Event dates and times are subject to change without notice.

Brookfield Zoo is open every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Indoor animal exhibits close a half hour before the zoo closes, and Tropic World closes 45 minutes prior to the zoo closing.)

General zoo admission is $16.95 for adults and $11.95 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and over. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Admission to the zoo is free on Tuesdays and Thursdays from October through December (with the exception of Holiday Magic).

Parking is $10 for cars and $15 for buses. (A Cook County parking tax is included.)

For more details on admission packages, pricing, or to pre-purchase tickets or memberships, go to www.CZS.org.