A Note from the Zoo Director:

Hello Everyone,

With Election Day right around the corner, I know everyone is thinking about how best to support the candidate and political party of your choice--you know, of course, I'm talking about the race for Mayor of the Zoo!

Mayor of the Zoo

Each of the political parties at the Zoo: the Farmyard Party, the Rainforest Party, the Hoofstock Party, the Predator Party, and the Ambassador Animal Party have submitted their candidates to be the Zoo's highest ranking animal official, serving a 12-month term. The candidates and their platforms can be reviewed here. The polls are open until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8. Votes are $1 each, and we encourage you to vote early, vote often, and stuff the ballot box! All donations will be used to support the Zoo's mission of conservation, education, research and fun.

Breakfast with Frosty

Speaking of fun, I'm delighted to share that after a three -year-hiatus due to the pandemic, we're bringing back Breakfast with Frosty! For years this has been one of the most anticipated outings for families for the holiday season. For five dates in December, a full buffet breakfast in the Carousel Building will include a visit with Santa and his elf, photo opportunities with Frosty the Snowman, Stripes the Tiger and Thirsty the Penguin, carousel rides and lots of family fun. These breakfasts sell out every year, so be on the look out for when tickets go on sale!

My Thanksgiving Wish for You

As the calendar turns to November, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support of Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. Your contributions, visits, attendance at our fundraisers, and memberships allow us to care for the rare and beautiful animals who live here. By supporting the Zoo and our mission, you're helping our conservation efforts, our ongoing work to create new and better habitats, and making a promise to future generations that the world will always have a place for wildlife.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones. See you at the Zoo!

GLOW WILD!!!

Ready. Set. GLOW!

September 14 - December 2

Thursdays - Sundays

5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

GLOW WILD returns to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo! Journey through a wonderland of illuminated larger-than-life lanterns inspired by our wild world. Back by popular demand, this illuminating festival of lights is coming back for its second year! Join us every Thursday - Sunday from September 14- December 2 from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM. The festival will showcase 53 large-scale illuminated displays, featuring hundreds of beautiful individual and interactive lanterns. 

Spanning the width and breadth of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s 30 acres, guests are invited to walk through glowing corridors. Displays of flora and fauna will light up the night sky, dazzling guests of all ages! The Glow Wild Lantern Festival is designed for everyone to enjoy –whether a family outing, romantic date, or coworker get-together. 

?The festival will run from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Timed tickets should be purchased online in advance and offered in half hour increments. A small number of tickets may be available at the door, depending upon Zoo capacity.

?Adult tickets (ages 12 +) are $22

Children (11 and under) are $20

Children age 2 and under and adults age 76 and older are free

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY

THIS MONTH AROUND THE ZOO

National Bison Day

Saturday, November 4

Join us at the Kathy Brady Education Center between 11:00am – 3:00pm and learn more about America’s largest mammal. These giants weigh between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds and eat up to 50 pounds of grasses a day. Vast herds once roamed our prairies and open woodlands but were driven to near extinction by early settlers and bison hunters. The last few animals kept in zoos formed the basis for the entire new (and protected) population. ? 

VOTE FOR MAYOR OF THE ZOO

Polls Close November 8

Five animal candidates are vying for the much sought-after title of Mayor of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. This important election will decide the Zoo’s fourth Mayor, the highest-ranking animal official who will showcase the important role of animal ambassadors. The winning Mayor will hold a 12-month term. All donations to the ballot box will be used to support the Zoo’s mission of conservation, education, research, and fun. 

Vote Here!

Annual Zoo Gala

Limited Tickets Available.

Last day to purchase your ticket is this Friday.

On Saturday, November 11, 2023, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will be celebrating and recognizing the generational impact the Zoo has had on conservationists of all ages. Join us at The Inn at Longshore in Westport for dinner, cocktails, musical entertainment, animal encounters, and silent & live auctions at a spectacular venue. 

Learn More & Buy Your Tickets

Zoo Gala: Silent Auction

Bidding Now Open!

Bidding is open and new items have been added! Set an alarm - this Silent Auction will close on Saturday, November 11th at 8:30 PM. 

Don't Miss Out! You have the opportunity to purchase Live Auction items at the Instant Buy price so you don't lose out on the opportunity to win one of our three fantastic packages! Get a VIP tour around the Zoo, become a keeper for a day, or get a Zoo Mobile to you!

Bid Now!

Veteran's Day

Saturday, November 11

On Veteran's Day, we honor and thank all those who have served our nation.

Veterans get in free, with a 20% discount for their families. 

Teen Volunteer Open House

Tuesday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 28

6:30pm - 8pm

Come learn about our teen volunteer programs: Conservation Discovery Corps and Zoo Career Explorers.  Students ages 14-18 who are currently enrolled in high school are eligible to participate.

Register Here

Zoo Tots: Harvest Time!

Wednesday, November 15

10:30am - 11am

There is a lot to be thankful for in November! 

Come learn about what the animals like to eat, and where we collect some of these foods right here at the zoo. 

Register Here

Thanksgiving Schedule

Wednesday, November 22 & Thursday, November 23

The Zoo will close early on Wednesday, November 22. Last ticket sold at noon; Zoo closes at 1:00 p.m.

The Zoo will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2024 Zoo Calendars

Now Shipping!

Everyone's favorite zoo calendar is back! Kick off 2024 with our limited edition 2024 Zoo Calendar! Each month features a different animal from the Zoo. Calendar measures 8.5"x11" shut, and 8.5"x22" opened. Each calendar is $20. Shipping included in price. 

Buy Your Calendar Today!

COOL BLUE BRIDGEPORT

Free Saturdays for Bridgeport Residents

For the third year, the Zoo will be free to all Bridgeport residents as part of the Zoo's COOL BLUE Bridgeport program every Saturday until June 29, 2024.?

All guests must register online using the code COOLBLUE and adults will need to show a photo ID proving Bridgeport residency (driver's license, Park City ID, recent piece of mail showing current residency) upon arrival at the Zoo's Front Gate.

Learn More