FREE NIGHTS at Utica Zoo are exactly how they sound: FREE
admission for you, your friends, and EVERYONE who walks through
Utica Zoo’s doors!
Free Nights at Utica Zoo for 2026 are ONLY Monday, July 27th
AND Monday, August 31st from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
Utica Zoo believes everyone should have the opportunity to visit with
family and friends and learn about their miraculous animals and the
importance of wildlife conservation. Their brand-new exhibit, the Bull
Reef, is one they encourage everyone to witness the wonder of.
The entire zoo will be open late with extended hours until 8pm both
nights for you to enjoy, along with:
• FREE SHUTTLES taking you from MVCC A1 lot or Parkway Rec
Center to their Visitor’s Center, and back! Shuttles will run
from 4pm-830pm.
• Polly’s Concessions for dinner, a snack, slushie, sweet treat,
or refreshing alcoholic drink. Please note Polly’s Concessions,
other vendors, and items in our gift shop are not included in the
free of the night.
• Gift shop open late for Utica Zoo apparel, merchandise,
children’s toys, plush, and more!
• Informational community organization booths around zoo
grounds offering education, resources, and sign-ups. These
organizations include but are not limited to: Oneida County Public Health Department, Cornell
Cooperative Extension, LIFEPlan CCO NY, Excellus, RCIL, Oneida County History Center, House
of the Good Shephard, Kelberman Center, and United Way – Mohawk Valley.
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!
