Reid Park Zoo kicks off its Summer Safari Nights series on Saturday, May 23, offering 10 weekly evening events through Aug. 8 for families looking to escape the heat without leaving the city.
The events, presented by TMC Health, run from 6 to 8 p.m. each Saturday at 3400 Zoo Court. Each week features a different theme — from Bear Necessities and Beach Party to Pollinator Power and Superheroes — along with animal encounters, keeper chats and hands-on artifact stations.
Kids can enjoy crafts, inflatables, rides on the Jungle Carousel and face painting or glitter tattoos. The Flamingo Grill will serve dinner and drinks throughout the night, and live music from local and regional bands plays in the Event Garden each week. Three of the 10 nights are designated shopping events, with local vendors set up across the Zoo grounds.
The season opens May 23 with a Bear Necessities theme spotlighting Reid Park Zoo’s Andean bears and grizzly bears, plus a waterslide inflatable and folk and rock covers by Ben Tully. Other highlights include a Beach Party on June 13 featuring the Speedway Brothers and a performance by Studio 1 Arizona Dance Academy; Game Night on July 11 with ColdShot and Cirque Collective; and an Insects! theme on June 27, timed to International Insect Week.
The series closes Aug. 8 with a Large & In Charge night celebrating the Zoo’s giraffes, rhinos, bears, lions and elephants, with music by A1 Reggae Band.
Admission is free for Zoo members and children under 2. General admission is $12 for adults ages 15 to 61, $10 for seniors 62 and older and $8.50 for children ages 2 to 14. Tickets and the full schedule are available at reidparkzoo.org.
