BIG LINEUP FOR DINO WEEKEND
Utica Zoo to Host Dino Activities to Recognize Endangered Species Day
Saddle up for a BIG weekend! In recognition of Endangered Species Day, Friday, May 15
th through
Sunday, May 17th
is DINO WEEKEND AT UTICA ZOO! The zoo will be hosting Jurassic-themed
activities for visitors all 3 days, including:
• Cinematic Safaris: Outdoor dino movies
• Dino hands-on crafts inside their visitor center all day
• A dino-dig in sand outside to uncover special prizes all day
• Dino nuggets at Polly’s Concessions from 11:00am to 4:00pm
• Themed readings/story times for children in their visitor center each day (check in at the
admission window to see story times for that day)
• Select discounted dinosaur merchandise in their gift shop every day
• Endangered species keeper talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm on Friday, May 15th for Endangered
Species Day
• Dino-related keeper talks over the weekend (like chickens and reptiles) at 11:30am and 2:30pm
As part of Utica Zoo’s Cinematic Safaris, they’ll be showing outdoor movie screenings in the middle of
the zoo of two Jurassic masterpieces:
• Friday, May 15th: Outdoor movie viewing of Jurassic Park: Rebirth (2025)
• Saturday, May 16th: Outdoor movie viewing of The Land Before Time (1998)
It’s like a drive-inn movie, but minus the car, and plus the wildlife! Gates open for movie goers both
days (May 15th and 16th) at 7pm with movie starting times of approximately 8pm. While waiting for
the movie to start, guests can peruse the dino merchandise in the gift shop or grab a bite to eat at Polly’s
Concessions. Movie viewings are ‘picnic style’, so guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and
blankets.
Movie tickets should be booked in advance but will be available for sale at the door if not sold out yet.
These movie showings are rain or shine. Movie tickets are $11 for adults (13 years +), $8 for children (2-
12 years), and children under 2 years are free. Members must pay regular movie ticket price.
Tickets can be purchased at:
https://pos.uticazoo.org/uticazoo/checkout/default/addtocart/add/1668?_gl=1*zu93h3*_gcl_au*MTUz
MzY1MzY5My4xNzc2MDg5MTA3
This weekend at Utica Zoo is simply dino-themed to promote education around Endangered
Species Day and does not include the Dino Discovery exhibit from summer of 2025. There will be no
dinosaurs on zoo grounds.
The Utica Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the Best of Mohawk Valley
Community Choice Award Winner for 2025. It is a regional destination that inspires and promotes the
appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation. Situated in the heart of Central
New York, the zoo features a diverse collection of animals from around the world and offers various
educational programs and events for visitors of all ages. It is home to approximately 200 exotic and
domestic animals, welcoming nearly 100,000 visitors annually and is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm
363 days a year, with only the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more information on
this, and all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!
