Community Events

No creature looms larger over the savanna than the African elephant, and you’ll agree when you come face-to-trunk with one at Zoo Atlanta! Meet Tara or Kelly while learning why they are such important ambassadors for their species.

During this Wild Encounter experience, you will learn about elephants with a Zoo Educator before heading behind the scenes to meet up with members of the Elephant Care Team and find out more about elephant care at the Zoo. Of course, no Elephant Wild Encounter would be complete without the opportunity to hand-feed one of the “girls” an afternoon snack.

• Meet at the Zambezi Elephant Center 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter. 
• Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters.

Days Available: Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m. 

Member Cost: $117 | Non-Member Cost: $130 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

We can’t plan a trip to Madagascar for you, but we can help you meet one of its most iconic native species. Experience our Lemur Wild Encounter!

Meet and feed some of the amazing primates that make the island of Madagascar one of Earth’s richest and most dynamic natural ecosystems, and learn what you can do to help one of the most endangered groups of mammals on the planet.  

• Meet outside the entrance to The Living Treehouse 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter.
• Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. 

Days Available: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m. beginning March 28

Member Cost: $41 | Non-Member Cost: $45 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

We welcome you to the wild world of warthogs! Come explore what it takes to care for these charismatic creatures and their neighbors in the African Savanna.  

Do warthogs really have warts? Get an up-close look and see! Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Zoo Atlanta’s African Savanna and give the warthogs a favorite treat. You’ll also meet members of the Zoo’s Animal Care Team and find out what goes into the care of warthogs and other savanna animals.

• Meet outside the warthog habitat near the SweetWater Beer Garden 15 minutes (at 12:45) before the Wild Encounter to check in.
• Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters.
• This encounter is not ADA accessible.
• All guests must wear closed-toed shoes on this encounter.

Days Available: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 1 p.m. beginning March 29

Member Cost: $41 | Non-Member Cost: $45 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

Theatre Dublin lights up the stage with an assortment of tribute concerts throughout the year. Grab the whole crew and jam out to classic tunes that everyone loves presented by people with a passion for playing!

Rock the night away at Theatre Dublin with these great shows:
-Georgia Players Guild’s Nashville Noel
November 30th, 2024 @ 7 PM | General Admission: $35 | VIP: $55
-Bob Seger Tribute
February 8th, 2025 @ 7 PM
-Departure Journey Tribute
April 5th, 2025
-A1A Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show
May 3rd, 2025

Ticket links available through the URL.

Join the Animal Care Team and one of our talented animal artists, meeting either the Zoo’s “VanGoat” or “Baaahlo,” and take home a unique work of art in this unforgettable experience.

Learn about the positive reinforcement training process of becoming an animal artist. See firsthand the ways this enrichment activity fits into high standards of care for animals at the Zoo when you meet a goat or sheep and see their art creation in action. Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific animal for your program.

- Meet at the Petting Zoo area of Outback Station 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter start time. 
- Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. 
- Includes one (1) take-home canvas per registered group.

Days Available: Saturdays at 3:15 p.m.

Member Cost: $67.50 | Includes one painting per group of four people.
Non-Member Cost: $75 per group of up to four people, + individual Zoo Admission | Includes one painting per group of four people.

Age Range: All ages

Calling all Adventure Cubs, ages 0-5, and their favorite grownups for a morning of exploration, learning and fun.

Embark on a new journey each month with a zoo educator as families get to learn and play together.

Each month, young explorers will learn about a new animal through a game, craft, story and singalong. At the end of the program, participants will visit the animal of the month’s habitat to make observations and draw connections to the lesson. You and your family will then receive a themed scavenger hunt to do in the zoo on your own. 

All topics and activities are designed for children ages 2-5, with opportunities for exploration for ages 0-2. During the winter months, this program will be held indoors.

2024 Dates:
November 2 & 21
December 7 & 19

Upcoming 2025 Dates:
January 4 & 16
February 1 & 20
March 1 & 20
April 5 & 17
May 3 & 15

TIME: 9:30-10:30 a.m. 

NON-MEMBER COST: $26 for a parent/guardian and child (each additional child participant will be $5/each)*  

MEMBER COST: $21 for a parent/guardian and child (each additional child participant will be $5/each)* 

*Program registration includes Zoo admission.

THEMES:
Each month, Adventure Cubs will explore a new region of the world to investigate the animals and environments there! The purpose of each program is to expose young children to the diversity of animals around the world and to draw connections to the ways we are similar and different. For each adventure, Adventure Cubs will engage in an activity, read a story and create a take-away memory. 

The Farm to Table Dinner is SOLD OUT. Due to Hurricane Helene, the Farm to Table Dinner has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 8th, 2025 at 6:30 PM.

Join us for an evening al fresco at Downtown Dublin’s Farm to Table Dinner Party at Market on Madison Thursday, September 26th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This special long table event celebrates the bounty of our local farms and the culinary artistry of Downtown Dublin’s renowned restaurants. Dine with Dublin residents, friends, and family for only $35 per person. 

Bring your littlest ones for an enchanting evening exploring the Zoo and learning about animals!

Enjoy a mini tour of the Zoo with a Zoo Educator, stopping along the way see animals that are active in early evening, sing songs, hear animal stories, and make an animal craft to take home to remember the experience! 

Twilight Tots is a special program designed for families with children ages 0-5, with opportunities for exploration for ages 0-2. Join us for a fun evening excursion that is perfect for young explorers with their families looking for a unique adventure before the sun goes down.

UPCOMING 2025 DATES:

March 7
May 8

TIME: 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Spend the night at Zoo Atlanta with your school or group at NightCrawler Overnight.

When the last guest leaves for the day, we invite you to stay! Come find out what really happens when the sun goes down. Which animals stay up late and how do others settle down for the night? And in the morning, how do animals greet the day? Join us as we explore these questions and more on an overnight adventure designed for schools, Scouts, and other groups.

Participants will spend the majority of the evening outdoors walking around the zoo with an educator as their guide, stopping along the way to observe the nocturnal behaviors of the animals that call the zoo home.

After an evening of exploration, participants will sleep in indoor, climate-controlled rooms with sleeping bags brought from home. And then rise and shine for more fun! Enjoy a catered breakfast from Proof of the Pudding followed by morning activities and more visits to see how animals start their day.

If you are looking for additional opportunities to connect with wildlife up-close, you can register your group for an Animal Encounter for an additional fee. This encounter includes an exclusive talk with a Zoo Educator and a visit with two to three small animal ambassadors. Note: We cannot accommodate specific animal requests for the encounter.

Participating groups are invited to stay and enjoy the zoo at completion of your program!

CAPACITY: Minimum of 20 – Maximum of 120

TIMES: 6 p.m. until 9:30 a.m. the next morning

AGE RANGE: 6+

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT DURING A NIGHTCRAWLER?

• Rain or shine. This program happens rain or shine, and much of the program is outside. Please plan for the weather and dress accordingly.

• The zoo is made for walking! Most of this experience is spent walking around the zoo, and many of the areas that we visit are not wheelchair accessible. Plan to spend up to 5 hours on your feet touring the Zoo.

• Come with a full belly. While we will take a break for a snack in the middle of the evening, please eat dinner before you arrive. And remember to bring your water bottle with you.

• Embrace the dark. It’s called a NightCrawler for a reason. Explore the Zoo by the light of the moon and our educators’ red-light flashlights. Guests may only use flashlights at bedtime.

• Rustic camping meets the Zoo. All sleeping locations are in climate-controlled buildings with a restroom either in the building or nearby.

• Have fun! This unique experience is unlike anything that you can do in Atlanta. We look forward to hosting you for an upcoming program!

No creature looms larger over the savanna than the African elephant, and you’ll agree when you come face-to-trunk with one at Zoo Atlanta! Meet Tara or Kelly while learning why they are such important ambassadors for their species.

During this Wild Encounter experience, you will learn about elephants with a Zoo Educator before heading behind the scenes to meet up with members of the Elephant Care Team and find out more about elephant care at the Zoo. Of course, no Elephant Wild Encounter would be complete without the opportunity to hand-feed one of the “girls” an afternoon snack.

• Meet at the Zambezi Elephant Center 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter. 
• Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters.

Days Available: Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m. 

Member Cost: $117 | Non-Member Cost: $130 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

We can’t plan a trip to Madagascar for you, but we can help you meet one of its most iconic native species. Experience our Lemur Wild Encounter!

Meet and feed some of the amazing primates that make the island of Madagascar one of Earth’s richest and most dynamic natural ecosystems, and learn what you can do to help one of the most endangered groups of mammals on the planet.  

• Meet outside the entrance to The Living Treehouse 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter.
• Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. 

Days Available: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m. beginning March 28

Member Cost: $41 | Non-Member Cost: $45 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

We welcome you to the wild world of warthogs! Come explore what it takes to care for these charismatic creatures and their neighbors in the African Savanna.  

Do warthogs really have warts? Get an up-close look and see! Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Zoo Atlanta’s African Savanna and give the warthogs a favorite treat. You’ll also meet members of the Zoo’s Animal Care Team and find out what goes into the care of warthogs and other savanna animals.

• Meet outside the warthog habitat near the SweetWater Beer Garden 15 minutes (at 12:45) before the Wild Encounter to check in.
• Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters.
• This encounter is not ADA accessible.
• All guests must wear closed-toed shoes on this encounter.

Days Available: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 1 p.m. beginning March 29

Member Cost: $41 | Non-Member Cost: $45 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

Spend the night at Zoo Atlanta with your school or group at NightCrawler Overnight.

When the last guest leaves for the day, we invite you to stay! Come find out what really happens when the sun goes down. Which animals stay up late and how do others settle down for the night? And in the morning, how do animals greet the day? Join us as we explore these questions and more on an overnight adventure designed for schools, Scouts, and other groups.

Participants will spend the majority of the evening outdoors walking around the zoo with an educator as their guide, stopping along the way to observe the nocturnal behaviors of the animals that call the zoo home.

After an evening of exploration, participants will sleep in indoor, climate-controlled rooms with sleeping bags brought from home. And then rise and shine for more fun! Enjoy a catered breakfast from Proof of the Pudding followed by morning activities and more visits to see how animals start their day.

If you are looking for additional opportunities to connect with wildlife up-close, you can register your group for an Animal Encounter for an additional fee. This encounter includes an exclusive talk with a Zoo Educator and a visit with two to three small animal ambassadors. Note: We cannot accommodate specific animal requests for the encounter.

Participating groups are invited to stay and enjoy the zoo at completion of your program!

CAPACITY: Minimum of 20 – Maximum of 120

TIMES: 6 p.m. until 9:30 a.m. the next morning

AGE RANGE: 6+

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT DURING A NIGHTCRAWLER?

• Rain or shine. This program happens rain or shine, and much of the program is outside. Please plan for the weather and dress accordingly.

• The zoo is made for walking! Most of this experience is spent walking around the zoo, and many of the areas that we visit are not wheelchair accessible. Plan to spend up to 5 hours on your feet touring the Zoo.

• Come with a full belly. While we will take a break for a snack in the middle of the evening, please eat dinner before you arrive. And remember to bring your water bottle with you.

• Embrace the dark. It’s called a NightCrawler for a reason. Explore the Zoo by the light of the moon and our educators’ red-light flashlights. Guests may only use flashlights at bedtime.

• Rustic camping meets the Zoo. All sleeping locations are in climate-controlled buildings with a restroom either in the building or nearby.

• Have fun! This unique experience is unlike anything that you can do in Atlanta. We look forward to hosting you for an upcoming program!

Join the Animal Care Team and one of our talented animal artists, meeting either the Zoo’s “VanGoat” or “Baaahlo,” and take home a unique work of art in this unforgettable experience.

Learn about the positive reinforcement training process of becoming an animal artist. See firsthand the ways this enrichment activity fits into high standards of care for animals at the Zoo when you meet a goat or sheep and see their art creation in action. Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific animal for your program.

- Meet at the Petting Zoo area of Outback Station 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter start time. 
- Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. 
- Includes one (1) take-home canvas per registered group.

Days Available: Saturdays at 3:15 p.m.

Member Cost: $67.50 | Includes one painting per group of four people.
Non-Member Cost: $75 per group of up to four people, + individual Zoo Admission | Includes one painting per group of four people.

Age Range: All ages

Bring your mama out to downtown Douglas for brunch at any of our fabulous downtown restaurants. Show your brunch receipt to any participating shop for an additional discount!

Be on the look out for some great photo ops your mom will love.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Join Zoo Atlanta for a morning of learning and discovery designed specifically for homeschool students!  

HomeSchool Academy is a two-hour program that allows students to explore animal and science concepts in an engaging, interactive environment. Programs are grade-appropriate and include hands-on, minds-on activities and Zoo tours that hone students’ STEM skillsets in a collaborative environment.     

Spring 2025 dates:

Feb. 12
March 12
April 16
May 14

Times: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Cost: $125 per semester or $35 per program 

Member Cost: $100 per semester or $35 per program

Calling all Adventure Cubs, ages 0-5, and their favorite grownups for a morning of exploration, learning and fun.

Embark on a new journey each month with a zoo educator as families get to learn and play together.

Each month, young explorers will learn about a new animal through a game, craft, story and singalong. At the end of the program, participants will visit the animal of the month’s habitat to make observations and draw connections to the lesson. You and your family will then receive a themed scavenger hunt to do in the zoo on your own. 

All topics and activities are designed for children ages 2-5, with opportunities for exploration for ages 0-2. During the winter months, this program will be held indoors.

2024 Dates:
November 2 & 21
December 7 & 19

Upcoming 2025 Dates:
January 4 & 16
February 1 & 20
March 1 & 20
April 5 & 17
May 3 & 15

TIME: 9:30-10:30 a.m. 

NON-MEMBER COST: $26 for a parent/guardian and child (each additional child participant will be $5/each)*  

MEMBER COST: $21 for a parent/guardian and child (each additional child participant will be $5/each)* 

*Program registration includes Zoo admission.

THEMES:
Each month, Adventure Cubs will explore a new region of the world to investigate the animals and environments there! The purpose of each program is to expose young children to the diversity of animals around the world and to draw connections to the ways we are similar and different. For each adventure, Adventure Cubs will engage in an activity, read a story and create a take-away memory. 

The Backlot Players present "Drinking Habits," May 16-25, 2025.

Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent's doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancées, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves. Thursday-Saturday shows start at 7:30PM and Sunday shows start at 2:30PM

Ever wonder what the animals are up to as the sun goes down?

Join us after-hours and discover Zoo Atlanta in a whole new light on this guided tour offering fun and learning for the whole family!

Participate in the adventure as we explore the Zoo using wildlife research technologies while discovering what the animals do when the humans are away.

On this unique tour, you’ll have the chance to:

• Get hands-on with some of the technology used to study animals in zoos and in the wild.
• Explore with Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) technology, trail cameras, night-vision scopes, radio telemetry, and Passive Integrated Transponders (PITs).
• Learn from our Zoo Educators how these tools are used by humans to better understand and protect wildlife.

Don’t miss this opportunity for a wild evening adventure and an inside look at the science behind animal conservation!

Spring 2025 Dates:
March 1
May 16
May 30

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Cost: $27/person (children 2 and under are free)  

Member Cost: $22/person (children 2 and under are free)  

Age Range: Program is open to all ages, but activities are geared to children ages 6+. Children under 3 are free. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

No creature looms larger over the savanna than the African elephant, and you’ll agree when you come face-to-trunk with one at Zoo Atlanta! Meet Tara or Kelly while learning why they are such important ambassadors for their species.

During this Wild Encounter experience, you will learn about elephants with a Zoo Educator before heading behind the scenes to meet up with members of the Elephant Care Team and find out more about elephant care at the Zoo. Of course, no Elephant Wild Encounter would be complete without the opportunity to hand-feed one of the “girls” an afternoon snack.

• Meet at the Zambezi Elephant Center 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter. 
• Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters.

Days Available: Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m. 

Member Cost: $117 | Non-Member Cost: $130 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up