News Release

January 23, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Brookfield Zoo’s 2014 Winter-Spring Calendar of Events


FREEze Day
February 9 (Sunday)
Enjoy the outdoors—and the indoors—at Brookfield Zoo’s FREEze Day! Bundle up and join the Green Valley Dog Drivers and their four-legged friends as they demonstrate dog sledding from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the zoo’s West Mall. Members of the Lemont-based dogsledding organization will engage guests in games and musher talks with their canine teams. The day’s events feature fun for the entire family, and zoo admission is free all day. For more information, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

Valentine’s Day Dinner
February 14 (Friday)
Show your animal magnetism this Valentine’s Day and treat your significant other to an adventurous evening of dining and dancing at Brookfield Zoo on February 14.The romantic evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the Seven Seas Underwater Viewing Gallery, where bottlenose dolphins can be seen swimming gracefully. Then head to the zoo’s Bocaditos dining room for a delectable meal. The evening includes full bar service and dancing. Pricing is $225 per couple. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.

Valentine’s Day Champagne Brunch
February 16 (Sunday)
If you are looking for a fun way to continue your Valentine’s celebration with your significant other or the entire family, head to Brookfield Zoo for an extraordinary champagne brunch. Enjoy an elaborate array of delicious foods, including made-to-order omelets, a carving station, seafood delights, luscious desserts, and so much more. Afterwards, take a stroll through the zoo and visit the animals with your loved one(s). The brunch begins at 11:00 a.m. in the zoo’s Discovery Center. Pricing, which includes zoo admission, is $55 for adults and $35 for children 3-11 (zoo members pay $45 and $35, respectively). Children 2 and under eat for free. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.

Ape Awareness Weekend
April 5-6 (Saturday and Sunday)
Swing over to Brookfield Zoo in APE-ril and learn about the charismatic ape species—orangutans, western lowland gorillas, and white-cheeked gibbons—that reside in Tropic World. Fun family activities will engage you in discovering ways you can help wild ape populations in Asia and Africa. The weekend event will feature informal animal Zoo Chats presented by zookeepers. Learn how mining for coltan, a mineral widely used in cell phones, is threatening gorillas and other forest species in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To help ape populations in the wild, bring your old cell phone and cell phone accessories, pagers, handheld games, e-readers, and laptops to the zoo’s recycling stations that weekend. For more information, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

Breakfast with the Bunny
April 12-13 and 19 (Saturdays and Sunday)
Bring the family to Brookfield Zoo for its annual Breakfast with the Bunny. The all-you-can-eat buffet, held in the zoo’s Discovery Center, will feature a special appearance from costumed characters Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, who will be on hand for photo opportunities. Additionally, the band Banjo Buddies will provide musical entertainment. Seatings are offered at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Pricing, which includes zoo admission, is $40.95 for adults and $28.95 for children 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.

Easter Brunch
April 20 (Sunday)
Bring an appetite and hop to Brookfield Zoo for its extravagant Easter Brunch. The menu will feature a buffet of delectable items, including omelets, carving stations with accompaniments, seafood, a sweets table, and much more. Joining in the festivities will be costumed characters Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, who will be on hand for photo opportunities. Additionally, the band Banjo Buddies will provide musical entertainment. Seatings are offered at 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. The cost, which includes zoo admission, is $49.95 for adults and $35.95 for children 3-11 (zoo members pay $39.95 and $29.95, 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.

Party for the Planet
April 27 (Sunday)
Every day is Earth Day at Brookfield Zoo, but on this very special occasion, the zoo will showcase steps you can take to make a difference for animals across the globe. This year, the focus is on endangered African painted dogs, which you can see firsthand at Habitat Africa! The Savannah. Engaging activities for the entire family include Zoo Chats, crafts, and an Eco Expo, where representatives from ecofriendly companies will share the latest developments and products in their fields. Throughout the day, the stage at the Bison Pavilion will host artists, including the band Green Thirteen, who deliver green messages through fun, interactive entertainment. You can also recycle your old electronics from noon to 6:00 p.m. in the zoo’s main parking lot. For further information and a full list of recyclable electronics, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

Electronic Recycling Day
April 27 (Sunday)
Celebrate Earth Day at Brookfield Zoo by recycling your old and unwanted electronics. Nearly 60 percent of all electronics, which are banned from Illinois landfills and unlawful in regular trash, can be reused, and the other 40 percent can be recycled back to their original raw state. To help protect the environment, bring your old monitors, televisions, stereo equipment, telephones, and VCRs to the zoo’s main parking lot at 31st Street and First Avenue between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. Thanks to Vintage Tech Recyclers and its electronic recycling program, this service is free of charge. To learn more, including a complete list of which items are accepted, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

Mother’s Day Brunch
May 11 (Sunday)
Treat Mom to a wonderful brunch prepared by Brookfield Zoo’s executive chef. The event will take place at the zoo’s Discovery Center. Enjoy a variety of breakfast favorites, including omelets, fare from a carving station featuring whole baked honey-cured ham and round of beef, salads, accompaniments, sweet treats, and other tasty dishes! Seatings are offered at 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Pricing, which includes zoo admission, is $49.95 for adults and $35.95 for children 3-11 (zoo members pay $39.95 and $29.95, 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.

Bear Awareness Weekend
May 17-18 (Saturday and Sunday)
Kick off Bear Awareness Weekend by joining animal care staff and volunteers to become acquainted with the bears at Brookfield Zoo: polar bears, grizzly bears, and sloth bears. Enjoy special Zoo Chats, craft activities, and watching a bear training session. In addition, learn about bears in the wild and the challenges they face. For more information, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

¡Viva la Fiesta!
June 7-8 and 14-15 (Saturdays and Sundays)
¡Viva la Fiesta! will feature a celebration of Hispanic culture, authentic cuisine, refreshments, music, and dancing on select weekends in June from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The festivities include local musical talent along with Hispanic artists and artisans and their eclectic works. For more information, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

Father’s Day BBQ
June 15 (Sunday)
Having a barbeque for your dad on Father’s Day was never easier than simply heading to Brookfield Zoo! Enjoy a complete, all-you-can-eat buffet that includes baby back ribs, chicken, a carving station, corn on the cob and other grilled vegetables, delicious homemade apple cobbler, and more. The barbecue takes place in the zoo’s Pavilions from noon to 2:00 p.m. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Pricing, which includes zoo admission, is $49.95 for adults and $35.95 for children 3-11 (zoo members pay $39.95 and $29.95, respectively). Children 2 and under eat for free. To make reservations, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.

Summer Nights
June 20-21, 27-28 and July 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, and 25-26 (Fridays and Saturdays)
Enjoy Brookfield Zoo until 9:00 p.m. in a new light with cooler evening temperatures. On six special evenings in June and July, the zoo will feature enhanced dining options, beer and wine gardens, and live entertainment, all while surrounded by the zoo’s outdoor animals and nature. For further information, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

World Giraffe Day
June 21 (Saturday)
Stand tall for giraffes and head to Brookfield Zoo for its first World Giraffe Day celebration, which is taking place on the longest day of the year. It also happens to be the birthday of the zoo’s youngest giraffe, Potoka, who is turning one. Fun-filled activities include special Zoo Chats about the species and giraffe-themed crafts and activities. For further information, visit www.CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.

Event dates and times are subject to change without notice. All special events are sponsored by American Airlines.

Brookfield Zoo is open every day of the year from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, zoo hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Indoor animal exhibits close a half hour before the zoo closes, and Tropic World closes 45 minutes prior to the zoo closing.) On Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the zoo is open until 7:30 p.m.

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. Discounted zoo admission and special attraction ticket packages that offer tremendous values from spring to fall include:

  • Zooper FunPass at $29.95 for adults and $22.95 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and over allows guests to enjoy the total experience at their leisure with discounted zoo admission and tickets to all six special attractions plus free unlimited admission to the zoo during 2014.

  • Build-Ur-Ticket at $24.95 for adults and $16.95 for children 3-11 and senior 65 and over allows guests to save on customizing their visit by offering discounted zoo admission and choice of tickets to any three special attractions.

  • The zoo also offers great pricing on membership packages.


Admission to the zoo is free on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in January and February. From October through December, admission is free on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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.

The Chicago Zoological Society inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for Brookfield Zoo's innovative, naturalistic, multispecies exhibits and for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. For further information, visit www.CZS.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
Office: 708-688-8351
Cell Phone: 708-903-2071
E-mail: Sondra.Katzen@CZS.org

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