Virtual Lecture—Connecting Children and Families with Dolphin Conservation at Sarasota Bay
March 21 (Tuesday)
If you’ve ever vacationed along Florida’s west coast, you may have had the great fortune of seeing bottlenose dolphins swimming in Sarasota Bay. Many of the dolphins found in this area have been studied by Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program staff, including Dr. Katherine McHugh, deputy program director and senior scientist. Join Dr. McHugh for an enlightening presentation as she shares some of the programs, strategies, and partnerships the world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population uses to connect children and families with these charismatic marine mammals. Additionally, she will discuss the dolphins’ underwater habitats in Sarasota Bay and opportunities to get involved in dolphin conservation. Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer session. The lecture, which begins at 7 p.m. CT, is free, although a $10 donation is appreciated. Online reservations are required and can be made at CZS.org/LectureSeries.
 
Virtual Lecture—Zoo Animal Ambassadors: Creating Memorable Moments through Animal Training
April 4 (Tuesday)
Brookfield Zoo’s Animal Ambassador program is an integral part of the Chicago Zoological Society’s mission of inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. The animal care specialists work closely with a select group of animals to create memorable experiences for guests visiting the Zoo and to the general public at an array of community outreach events. Tim Sullivan, director of behavioral husbandry for the Chicago Zoological Society, will take you behind the scenes to demonstrate how staff use positive reinforcement to train the animals. You may even learn some training techniques to try with your own pets at home. The lecture, which begins at 7 p.m. CT, is free, although a $10 donation is appreciated. Online reservations are required and can be made at www.CZS.org/LectureSeries.
 
Virtual Lecture—Connecting Children to Nature and Building Constructive Hope
April 18 (Tuesday)
Connecting children to nature has many benefits—greater health and happiness and a legacy of experiences that inspire active care for the natural world. Yet, young people, who feel connected to nature, can develop a sense of fear and despair in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss. Louise Chawla, professor emeritus in the Environmental Design Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, and who also serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of the Children and Nature Network, will share ways to promote connecting children to nature and at the same time support constructive hope—the ability to acknowledge threats while finding meaning in taking action. The lecture, which begins at 7 p.m. CT, is free, although a $10 donation is appreciated. Online reservations are required and can be made at www.CZS.org/LectureSeries.
 
 
Earth Day: Party for the Planet
April 22 (Saturday)
Brookfield Zoo’s Party for the Planet, encourages everyone to make a difference for wildlife and the natural world by recycling. The event, presented by the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Zoo’s main parking lot located at 8400 31^st Street in Brookfield. Gather any electronics, textiles, and used books that you’ve been storing in your basement or garage, and dispose them in an environmentally-friendly way. Representatives from the Zoo and its partner organizations—eWorks, USAgain, and Discover Books—will be available to collect and recycle a variety of items. For a complete list of acceptable recyclables, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Earth Day Run
April 23 (Sunday)
Lace up your sneakers and venture to Brookfield Zoo for its Earth Day Run! The 2.2 mile “fun run,” which takes place inside the Zoo, begins at 8 a.m. It’s non-competitive and geared for participants of all ages—making it fun for the entire family! Afterwards, spend the rest of the day strolling through the park to see your favorite animals. The fee is $35 per person and includes admission to the Zoo. All participants also receive an Earth Day Run commemorative medal and a bookmark with flower seeds to spread in your own garden. Proceeds from the event benefit the Chicago Zoological Society’s Animal Care and Conservation Fund that supports research and education efforts at the Zoo and around the world. For more information visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Chicago Zoological Society’s Whirl
April 29 (Saturday)
The Chicago Zoological Society celebrates the 42^nd anniversary of its annual black-tie gala, the Whirl, on April 29 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at the Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue. Co-hosted by the Board of Trustees and the Women’s Board of the Society, and chaired by Sasha Gerritson and Barbara Bradford, this event celebrates the work of the Society’s education, animal care, and conservation programs. Highlights of the gala include entertainment by Ken Arlen’s Evolution Orchestra, a live auction, raffle, and up-close experiences with Brookfield Zoo’s animal ambassadors. Tickets for the fundraiser are $1,000 per person. For more information visit, CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8670.
 
Virtual Lecture—Learning and Growing Through Nature Play: Past, Present, and Future
May 16 (Tuesday)
A little over 20 years ago, Brookfield Zoo’s Hamill Family Play Zoo opened. At the time, it was a revolutionary concept of connecting children and their families with nature through play and exploration. Why was this approach so vital then and why has the field of nature play become part of a global movement today? Join Dave Becker, senior manager of learning experiences for the Chicago Zoological Society, as he highlights past, present, and future trends of nature play, and also reflects on its importance and the impact it has had with guests at Brookfield Zoo and in Chicagoland communities. The lecture, which begins at 7 p.m. CT, is free, although a $10 donation is appreciated. Online reservations are required and can be made at CZS.org/LectureSeries.
 
Brookfield Zoo’s Photo Contest
From butterflies to lions and snakes to macaws, Brookfield Zoo is a photographer’s paradise. So, grab your camera and head to the Zoo, where you might just capture a winning shot to enter in the annual digital Photo Contest. Professional photographers will judge the photos and choose the grand prize winner. Additionally, they will select their top seven picks in each of the following categories: mammals, birds, and reptiles/amphibians/invertebrates/fish. The public is being asked to then go to the zoo’s website and vote for first-, second-, and third-place winners in each of the three categories. Beginning May 27, go to CZS.org/2023PhotoContest for complete details and rules as well as to fill out the official entry form and upload your photo to submit electronically. Photos will be accepted until August 11, 2023, 5:00 p.m. CT.
 
Brookfield Zoo's Concerts for Conservation
July 14-15 and 21-22 (Fridays-Saturdays)
Enjoy fun and relaxing evenings while taking in the sounds of popular bands during Brookfield Zoo’s Twilight Tunes, presented by Meijer®. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to the Zoo’s East Mall for a date night or family night. A wide selection of delicious food and beverage items, including at the Tacos Caja and The Coop food trucks and Outpost Grill, will be available for purchase. The Zoo’s animal ambassadors also will be making appearances for up-close experiences each night. Limited capacity and reservations are required. For more information, including ticket pricing, visit CZS.org/Events.
 
HOWL: Helping Our WildLife
August 19 (Saturday)
Join the Chicago Zoological Society’s (CZS) Associates young professionals group for its 3^rd annual fundraising event, featuring a VIP cocktail hour, silent auction, outdoor games, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Brookfield Zoo’s animal residents! Funds raised will benefit animal care and welfare initiatives as well as conservation and education programs of CZS. The VIP hour takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. at Hamill Family Wild Encounters followed by the main event from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zoo’s Great Bear Wilderness underwater viewing gallery. Tickets are $150 for the main event; $200 for the VIP hour. For further information and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events, email CZS.Associates@CZS.org, or call (708) 688-8191.
 
ZooBrew
August 26 (Saturday)
ZooBrew is on tap at Brookfield Zoo for guests 21 and over. Enjoy samplings from a selection of over 80 beers, lagers, ales, seltzers, ciders, and hard lemonades at the 11^th annual beer-tasting event. Beer enthusiasts can choose from three tasting options—half session from noon to 2 p.m., full session from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., or a VIP session from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Designated driver tickets, featuring unlimited soft drinks, are also available for each session. All tickets include commemorative swag and admission and parking to Brookfield Zoo, allowing plenty of time to see your favorite animals. VIP attendees also receive exclusive samplings of select specialty brews, food, and visits with animal ambassadors. Children are not allowed in the event area. Photo ID is required upon entry. For additional information, including pricing, and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Brookfield Zoo’s Zoo Run
September 10 (Sunday)
Whether you’re fast like a cheetah or prefer a more leisurely stroll like a tortoise, Brookfield Zoo’s Zoo Run fits all paces. The fun-filled event features a chip-timed 5k race and a chip-timed 1-mile race for kids ages 4-13. The 5k, which begins at 8:30 a.m., costs $40. The 1-mile race for youngsters follows at 9:30 a.m. and costs $30. Each runner will receive commemorative Zoo Run swag, bib containing timing chip, and snacks and beverages. Make it a full day at the Zoo—bring family and friends in for free to cheer you on and visit the animals after the races! Proceeds from the event go towards the Chicago Zoological Society’s Animal Care and Conservation Fund. To register and for further information, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Oktoberfest
September 23-24 (Saturday-Sunday)
Toss on your lederhosen and enjoy live polka music at Brookfield Zoo’s Beer Garden from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the Zoo’s East Mall, and celebrate Oktoberfest presented by Leinenkugel. The event is free with general admission. Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest beer and a seasonal menu featuring bratwursts, sausages, pretzels with beer cheese, and more is available for purchase. Spot the Leinie’s mobile pedi-cab, and if you're over 21, you may just get your hands on some complimentary memorabilia. For more information, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Recycling Event—NEW
September 30 (Saturday)
If you didn’t have time to spring clean and recycle any unwanted items earlier in the year, there’s still time. New this year, Brookfield Zoo is hosting a second recycling event this fall. Drop off electronics, textiles, and used books between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Zoo’s main parking lot located at 8400 31^st Street in Brookfield. Representatives from Brookfield Zoo and its partner organizations—eWorks, USAgain, and Discover Books—will be available to collect and recycle a variety of items. For a complete list of acceptable recyclables, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Chicago Zoological Society’s Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner
October 3 (Tuesday)
The Conservation Leadership Awards, which were created in 2005 by the Chicago Zoological Society’s Board of Trustees, recognize individuals and organizations for their collective impact on conservation efforts that are transforming the Society’s vision of how it inspires conservation action, engages communities, and restores wildlife populations and people’s connection to nature. The fundraising dinner is held at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Place, Chicago. For further information, including ticket pricing, and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8670.
 
Boo! at the Zoo
October 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22 (Saturdays-Sundays)
Families can have a howling good time at Brookfield Zoo’s annual Halloween celebration. Don your favorite costume and take memorable snapshots at the many Halloween-themed photo frames and vignettes, including the Howl-O-Scene. Backdrops feature pumpkins, bales of hay, black cat cutouts, and more! Afterwards, find your way through the Craized Maize corn maze on the Zoo’s East Mall or take a spin on the Creepy Carousel. For more information, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Wines in the Wild
November 4 (Saturday)
Enjoy the opportunity to sample an array of wines and liquors from around the world at the Chicago Zoological Society’s Wines in the Wild. Accompanying the selection, provided by the evening's purveyor, Prestige Countryside Liquors, will be delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by SSA Group. The evening fundraiser, which takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. in Brookfield Zoo’s Discovery Center, also features a silent auction and up-close experiences with some of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors. Proceeds from Wines in the Wild support the education, conservation, and scholarship programming needs that are funded by the Women’s Board of the Chicago Zoological Society. For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8670.
 
Tree Trim
November 11-12 (Saturday-Sunday)
Help deck Brookfield Zoo’s malls and around its Roosevelt Fountain for the holiday season. Chicago area organizations, families, and corporations can sponsor a pre-lit tree and have fun decorating it with their handmade or purchased ornaments. The cost, which includes signage and a limited number of admission and parking passes for Tree Trim days, is $195 for a community tree and $600 for a corporate tree. For more information and to register beginning September 1, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Reindeer Run
November 18 (Saturday)
Get a sneak peek of Brookfield Zoo all lit up for the holidays while participating in its Reindeer Run. This fun-filled event features a 2-mile “fun run” or walking course adorned with more than two million LED lights. Participants can also enjoy a spin on The Carousel, and there will be a selection of food and beverages available for purchase. Registered participants, who are 21 or older, will receive a complimentary beer, courtesy of Revolution Brewing. Registration for Reindeer Run is $35 per person. The non-competitive run begins at 7 p.m. in front of the Pavilions. Registrants should enter the Zoo via the north gate. Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information and to register beginning October 2, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Holiday Magic
November 24-26, and 30 and December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, and 26-31
Light up the festive season with family and friends at Brookfield Zoo’s 42^nd annual Holiday Magic®. Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival returns from 3 to 9 p.m. More than two million LED lights transform the park into a winter wonderland. While strolling pathways, zoogoers can gaze up at a 41-foot-tall lit tree choreographed to seasonal tunes, stop at the 20-foot-tall orb and 3D gingerbread house to take memorable photos, walk through the 600-foot-long “Tunnel of Lights,” and more. Many of the Zoo’s animal buildings will be open as well as restaurants and gift shops offering an array of unique items for those on your holiday shopping list. (Brookfield Zoo will not open until 3 p.m. on Holiday Magic dates.) Prior to arriving, guests who prefer to park in the south lot will need to secure advanced reservations (including Brookfield Zoo members) as well as admission and parking tickets. Advanced reservations are not required for those who use the north parking lot, however, guests are encouraged to secure admission and parking online prior to their visit. For additional information, including dates, and to make online reservations, visit CZS.org/Events.
 
Brookfield Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended summer hours of 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Katherine McHugh: During a virtual lecture, Katherine McHugh, deputy program director and senior scientist for the Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, will give an enlightening presentation about the world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population.
 
Tim Sullivan: During a virtual lecture, Tim Sullivan, director of behavioral husbandry for the Chicago Zoological Society, will share how animal care specialists at Brookfield Zoo use positive reinforcement to train the animals.
 
Louise Chawla: Louise Chawla, professor emeritus in the Environmental Design Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, and who also serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of the Children and Nature Network, will share ways to promote connecting children to nature and at the same time support constructive hope during a virtual lecture hosted by Brookfield Zoo.
 
0269, 0270, 1739, and 1842: Gather your unwanted electronics, textiles, and used books and drop them off at Brookfield Zoo’s recycling event in its main parking lot located at 8400 31^st Street in Brookfield from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
2483 and 2886: Brookfield Zoo’s Earth Day “fun run” takes participants on a 2.2-mile course inside the park. Proceeds from the event benefit the Chicago Zoological Society’s Animal Care and Conservation Fund.
 
Dave Becker: Dave Becker, senior manager of learning experiences for the Chicago Zoological Society, will highlight past, present, and future trends of nature play during a virtual lecture on May 16.
 
8844, 9107, 9129, 9225, and 9368: At Brookfield Zoo’s ZooBrew, guests 21 and over can sample more than 80 beers, lagers, ales, seltzers, ciders, and hard lemonades.
 
0052 and 0105: Brookfield Zoo’s Zoo Run takes participants on a 5k course inside the park and past many of the animals’ habitats. Proceeds from the event go towards the Chicago Zoological Society’s Animal Care and Conservation Fund.
 
0203: A 1-mile race for youngsters takes place during Brookfield Zoo’s annual Zoo Run.
 
0582: Enjoy the sounds of live polka music during Brookfield Zoo’s Oktoberfest.
 
1301: Costumed guests take a spin on Brookfield Zoo’s Carousel during its annual Boo! at the Zoo Halloween celebration.
 
1690: Costumed youngsters pose for a photo at one of the many Halloween-themed backdrops during Brookfield Zoo’s Boo! at the Zoo.
 
1894: A young guest dressed in Halloween attire at Brookfield Zoo’s Boo! at the Zoo poses for a photo with one of the goats at the Zoo’s Hamill Family Wild Encounters.
 
2856: During Brookfield Zoo’s Boo! at the Zoo, guests can watch some of the animals receiving pumpkins for enrichment.
 
7605: Sample an array of wines and liquors from around the world at the Chicago Zoological Society’s Wines in the Wild fundraiser.
 
2068: Hundreds of organizations and corporations help deck Brookfield Zoo’s malls for the holiday season during its annual Tree Trim.
 
2993, 3115, and 3251: Participants in Brookfield Zoo’s 2-mile Reindeer Run can get a sneak peek of the Zoo all lit up for the holiday season.
 
5316: A 41-foot-tall illuminated tree is synchronized to festive seasonal tunes at Brookfield Zoo’s annual Holiday Magic.
 
5519: A 20-foot-tall orb featuring thousands of LED lights is the perfect place to take a memorable photo at Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic.
 
5626, 5653, and 5799: Brookfield Zoo’s 42^nd annual Holiday Magic features more than two million LED lights that transform the park into a winter wonderland.