Our family has had annual memberships to just about every attraction in Chattanooga at one time or another. One membership we have consistently kept is to the Chattanooga Zoo. One of the reasons for this is because there are so many awesome events held at the zoo throughout the year (and you get a discount to these with a membership)!
Below are all of the amazing annual events that are held each year at the Chattanooga Zoo, along with some of our favorites:
Spring
Hug-A-Bunny
Hug-A-Bunny is a fun Easter event that we never miss!
It is held the Friday and Saturday before Easter from 9am to 5pm each of the days. Admission includes up-close bunny encounters, crafts, games, candy and photos with the Easter Bunny! Also, if you happen to find the hidden golden egg, you can win a free zoo membership!
Spirits In The Wild
Spirits in the Wild is a 21+ event that is always held on a Saturday in May from 6pm to 9pm. Ticket holders can enjoy sipping on unlimited samples of wine, beer, and spirits while also indulging in delicious bites from great local restaurants. In addition, attendees can enjoy the zoo after hours, dance to live music, and get up-close with some of the zoo’s amazing animal residents.
Summer
Ice Cream Safari
This is an event from which I don’t have a ton of pictures because I am always too busy stuffing my face with the delicious variety of ice cream! Ice Cream Safari always occurs on a Saturday in June from 4pm to 7pm (the zoo closes for regular visitors at 3pm that day). Guests are able to enjoy unlimited ice cream from great Chattanooga area ice cream shops and vendors, and experience up-close animal encounters, lawn games, giraffe feedings, and a hands-on tie dye t-shirt station. This is an absolute go-to for us every year to kick off the summer!
Q ‘n Brew
I have not been to this event yet, but I am going this year! Q ‘n Brew occurs on a Saturday in July from 6pm to 9pm. This year it’s July 12th and includes two summer staples: beer and BBQ! Enjoy a variety of dishes from the best BBQ restaurants in Chattanooga paired with cool and refreshing beer, wine, and other beverages. This family-friendly cookout is fun for all ages and also includes live bluegrass music, tortoise races, and animal meet and greets!
Fall
Banana Ball
Banana Ball is another event that I have not been to but hope to attend this year. This annual gala and fundraiser is held every year on a Saturday in September from 5:30pm to 9pm. This year it will be on September 27. Banana Ball usually has a guest speaker related to wildlife and conservation, but this year is having people from different departments and zoo programs speak about the impact Chattanooga Zoo has had on their lives. This year’s goal is to raise money for a new veterinary hospital at the zoo!
Boo In The Zoo
Boo in the Zoo is another not-miss event for our family. This family-friendly Halloween celebration includes lots of candy, fun decorations, costume shows, a bounce house, and meet and greets with your favorite characters (provided by Magic Lamp Entertainment). This isn’t just for your kids to enjoy; adults can dress up too (I was a Hogwarts student last year!). Boo in the Zoo usually occurs the last three weekends in October from 4pm to 8pm each night (the zoo closes for regular guests at 3:30pm on each event date). If you are looking to enjoy it this year, the dates are October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31!
Frights & Pints
This fun Halloween 21+ event takes place on a Thursday evening in late October from 6pm to 9pm. This year it will be on October 23. Adults can enjoy specialty cocktails, beer, wine, trick-or-treat stations, a DJ, a costume contest, and more! The zoo is for adults too!
Winter
Asian Lantern Festival
What is my absolute favorite of all of the Chattanooga Zoo events? The Asian Lantern Festival! This absolutely magical event features hundreds of hand-crafted lanterns that light up the night at Chattanooga Zoo. Each year’s festival features a new theme and an entirely new collection of lanterns that have never been seen before in Chattanooga, making each year a unique experience. The dynamic lantern displays move, change color, have sound effects, emit fog, and more. It is an enchanting event like none other! This event occurs mid-November through mid-January each year. This year’s dates and theme have not been announced yet, but will be soon! Check out my post from last year about it here.
