Starting July 9th, 2026, Utica Zoo in its entirety will be open late until 8pm EACH
THURSDAY through August 27th.
The Utica community can expect to enjoy live music on the deck every week along
with beer, wine, seltzer, and dinner or sweet treats provided by Polly’s Concessions. Kids’
activities like crafts or special guests, along with the existing bounce pillow and playground
will be available, so all members of the family can enjoy a night out! See below for the detailed
live performances schedule:
Thursday, July 9th: Shawn Smith – Additional entertainment: Cinematic Safari
showing HOPPERS movie and Beaversprite display with children’s craft and activity
about Beavers!
Thursday, July 16th: Tom & Ashley Nitti – Additional entertainment: World Snake Day
children’s crafts, biofacts, and snake
ambassador animal presentations.
Thursday, July 23rd: Isaac French – Additional
entertainment: Princess Ariel meet & greet
and singalong from 6pm to 8pm. Shark and
coral reef crafts for children AND Cinematic
Safari showing Finding Nemo movie.
Thursday, July 30th Sydney Irving – Additional
entertainment: FOAM FEST. Foam to run
through and play with outside Utica Zoo’s
brand-new Bull Reef exhibit.
Thursday, August 6th: Justin Smithson –
Additional entertainment: TBA
Thursday, August 13th: Remsen Social Club –
Additional entertainment: TBA
Thursday, August 20th: Max Scialdone –
Additional entertainment: TBA
Thursday August 27th: Gary Johnson – Additional entertainment: Cinematic Safari
showing ZOOTOPIA 2 movie
Additional Details:
Open until 8pm every Thursday night from July 9th – August
27th
Family friendly! There are no age restrictions!
Polly’s Concessions at Utica Zoo will be open for dinner or a
tasty snack
Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21
years or older
There will be entertainment in the form of live music each Thursday. See full list of
performers above.
There will be activities for kids in the form of crafts, presentations, or entertainment
Cinematic Safaris in Utica Zoo return on July 9th, July 23rd, and August
27th. These are outdoor movie showings in the middle of the zoo that occur after Wild
Summer Nights. See below for more details. *
Animals will be on exhibit throughout the evening!
No special tickets or reservations are required to attend a Wild Summer Night.
This event is simply extended zoo hours with some additional activities in the
evening! So, the price to attend it is merely
admission to the zoo:
Zoo Admission Rates:
$11 for adults 13-61
$8 for kids 3-12
$10 for seniors 62+ and students w/ID
*Cinematic Safaris in Utica Zoo are the perfect addition to a Thursday night out.
Popular movies will be projected on screen right outside the Visitor’s Center next to the White-
handed Gibbon exhibit.
Cinematic Safari Dates:
Thursday July 9th: 2026 Disney
Pixar’s HOPPERS Rated PG.
Thursday, July 23rd: 2003 Disney
Pixar Finding Nemo Rated G.
Thursday, August 27th: 2025
Disney’s ZOOTOPIA 2 Rated PG.
Movie tickets are regular zoo admission
plus $5 per person. Those paying admission to attend a Wild Summer Night need only
pay just $5 to stay for the movie! Utica Zoo members receive free admission to the zoo and
only must purchase the $5 movie ticket. Purchase your ticket ahead by heading to:
uticazoo.org/events
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!
