Your guide to the upcoming exhibitions at Edinburgh Zoo

Browse the upcoming Edinburgh Zoo events, ranging from seasonal markets and expert-led photography workshops to unforgettable animal encounters. While some seasonal Edinburgh Zoo activities are free with entry, premium Edinburgh Zoo experience days require a separate booking. Discover the complete schedule and ticket guide below.

Upcoming Edinburgh Zoo events

Animal Happy Hours

Join after hours to sip specially crafted cocktails and immerse yourself in the up-close sights and sounds of the animals' habitats. It is a perfect evening out for adult animal lovers.

  • Date: Selected dates | April 2026 – July 2026
  • Timings: 6pm–7:30pm
  • Location: Across the zoo
  • Included with admission: No (£40 per adult)

New Parent Social

The New Parent socials are created for new parents looking to spend some quality time at the zoo, enjoy the fresh air, and build a supportive local community.

  • Date: Selected dates | April 2026 – June 2026
  • Timings: 10:30am–11:45am
  • Location: Designated meeting points
  • Included with admission: No (£27 for 3 sessions)

Wild Discovery Days

On selected dates, the zoo hosts themed celebration days packed with educational ranger talks, pop-up engagement activities, and creative crafts relating to different vital zoo conservation topics!

  • Date: Selected dates | May 2026 – September 2026
  • Timings: 11am–2pm
  • Location: Education pavilions
  • Included with admission: Yes

Spring Market

Get your garden and home ready for spring this May by visiting the pop-up craft market, showcasing brilliant local vendors, sustainable goods, and unique crafts.

  • Date: May 30 and 31, 2026
  • Timings: 10am–4pm
  • Location: Lemur Lodge
  • Included with admission: Yes

Zoo-fari Tours

Join the knowledgeable staff for a specialised one-hour guided tour to learn amazing new facts about the diverse, endangered species cared for at the zoo.

  • Date: Selected dates | June 2026 – September 2026
  • Timings: 9am–10am
  • Location: Tour departure point
  • Included with admission: No (£35 per adult)

Tea and Talks

Enjoy a fascinating animal conservation talk and a warm brew at the zoo! Meet fellow wildlife enthusiasts and ask the experts anything you would like to know.

  • Date: Selected dates | June 2026 – September 2026
  • Timings: 3pm–4pm
  • Location: Mansion House
  • Included with admission: No (£35 per adult)

CAT Saturdays Programme

The Conservation Action Team (CAT) is all about kids having fun while learning about vital global conservation, outdoor skills, and wildlife ecosystems through hands-on activities.

  • Date: Selected dates | September 2025 – June 2026
  • Timings: 9:30am–4:30pm
  • Location: Wildlife Garden
  • Included with admission: No (£140 per adult)

Memories Week

Step back in time at the zoo and rediscover its most treasured historic memories, archives, and milestone achievements through special visual displays.

  • Date: June 13 – June 21, 2026
  • Timings: 10am–3pm
  • Location: Lemur Lodge
  • Included with admission: Yes

Bricktastic Beasts at Edinburgh Zoo

Will you be able to spot the wild brick sculptures nestled around the zoo this summer? Seek out giant, spectacular toy brick animals along this interactive family trail.

  • Date: June 27 – August 30, 2026
  • Timings: 10am–6pm
  • Location: Zoo-wide trail
  • Included with admission: Yes

Summer School

A week-long program where children discover amazing animals and cultures from around the world, make new friends, and connect deeply with the natural world.

  • Date: June 29 – July 31, 2026
  • Timings: 9am–3:30pm
  • Location: Education centre
  • Included with admission: No (£225 per adult)

Summer CAT

Based out of the Wildlife Garden, children spend all day outside getting mucky and participating in hands-on conservation work and outdoor crafts.

  • Date: June 29 – July 24, 2026
  • Timings: 9am–3:30pm
  • Location: Wildlife Garden
  • Included with admission: No (£225 per adult)

Late Night Openings at Edinburgh Zoo

Soak in the sights and sounds as twilight settles over the enclosures.

  • Date: Selected dates | July 2026
  • Timings: 5pm–9pm
  • Location: Across the zoo
  • Included with admission: No (£15 per adult)

Summer Explorers

These specialised nature-connection sessions aim to deepen environmental appreciation for younger audiences through interactive visits to the unique animal spaces.

  • Date: Selected dates | July 15 – August 6, 2026
  • Timings: 10am–1pm
  • Location: Discovery zones
  • Included with admission: No (£22 per adult)

Science Summer School

Join the Edinburgh Zoo for the Science Summer School programme! A fantastic, immersive experience for budding young scientists to study animal biology and behaviour.

  • Date: July 27 – August 7, 2026
  • Timings: 9am–4pm
  • Location: Science lab and enclosures
  • Included with admission: No (donations)

Nature Photography Workshops

The much-loved full-day photography workshops are back for 2026! Hone your camera skills alongside renowned professional wildlife photographer Laurie Campbell.

  • Date: Selected dates | May 2026 – September 2026
  • Timings: 9am–5pm
  • Location: Across the zoo
  • Included with admission: No (£165 per adult)

Junior Nature Photography Workshop

Is your child a budding photographer? This junior workshop is perfect for honing camera skills, composition, and wildlife ethics, whatever their current level of expertise.

  • Date: August 30, 2026
  • Timings: 9am–1pm
  • Location: Education pavilion
  • Included with admission: No (£87 per adult)

Giant Lanterns

Journey beyond the stars on a spectacular outdoor trail featuring an out-of-this-world space safari twist! Discover glowing galaxies and towering cosmic creatures across 60 magical nights, with designated adult-only and quiet evenings available.

  • Date: Selected dates | November 13, 2026 – February 21, 2027 
  • Timings: 4:45pm-9pm (Last entry 8pm)
  • Location: Main illumination trail
  • Included with admission: No (£14 per adult)

Giant Lanterns Day and Light

Go with the glow and upgrade your winter itinerary. This exclusive ticket seamlessly combines a full day of general wildlife viewing with a delicious two-course evening meal at the restaurant, followed by twilight entry to the Giant Lanterns trail.

  • Date: Selected dates | November 2026 – January 2027 
  • Timings: 4pm–9pm (Zoo entry from 10am)
  • Location: Zoo-wide and restaurant
  • Included with admission: No (£30.60 per adult)

Lanterns Grotto

Bring the holiday magic alive and meet Santa Claus himself at Edinburgh Zoo during the festive winter evening illumination events!

  • Date: Selected dates | December 5 – December 24, 2026
  • Timings: 5:15pm–8:45pm
  • Location: Budongo Trail Building
  • Included with admission: No (£19.15 per adult)

Daily talks

The dedicated discovery rangers are on hand throughout the day to bring you amazing animal facts, stories, and behind-the-scenes insights into how Edinburgh Zoo cares for the animals you love.

Talks vary each day depending on animal needs. Be sure to check the display screens in the main admissions building upon arrival for the most accurate daily schedule, including specific species, presentation times, and enclosure locations.

Exclusive Edinburgh Zoo experience days

Experience nameAge limitPriceDescription

Full Day Keeper Experience

Ages 16+

£290

Spend a whole day learning life as a zookeeper and meeting animals up close

Half-Day Keeper Experience

Ages 16+

£180

A 3-hour packed schedule of close encounters behind the scenes

Junior Keeper Experience

Ages 8–15

£175

3 hours of hands-on zoo duties curated perfectly for younger animal lovers

Family Fun Keeper Experience

Ages 5+

£155 (per person)

Help with daily feeds, make animal enrichment, and get dirty as a family group

Mini Keeper Experience

Ages 5–7

£120

A fun-packed morning introduction to morning duties and animal care

Giraffe Magic Moment

Ages 6–11

£250

Say "high" to the Nubian giraffes and feed them tasty leaves up close

Giraffe Magic Moment

Ages 12+

£130

Get up close and feed treats to this magnificent herd of boys

Penguin Magic Moment

Ages 12+

£105

Feed the famous Gentoo penguins their favourite fish over 30 minutes

Pygmy Hippo and Friends

Ages 8+

£105

Feed Otto the pygmy hippo and meet his 3 leopard tortoise neighbours

Sloth Magic Moment

Ages 8+

£105

Go behind the scenes to hang out and feed treats to the two-toed sloths

Rhino Magic Moment

Ages 14+

£80

Help keepers feed the resident greater one-horned rhinoceros, Jai

Otter Magic Moment

Ages 8+

£75

Interact with the Asian small-clawed otters and take home an otter painting

Meerkat Magic Moment

Ages 8+

£75

Feed the cheeky meerkats and watch them interact with enrichment you make

Armadillo Magic Moment

Ages 6+

£75

Meet the charismatic armadillos, feed them live insects, and touch their shells

Close Encounters Magic Moment

Ages 5+

£55

Enjoy hands-on handling of unique snakes, stick insects, and invertebrates

Build Your Own Wild Experience

Family (16+ adult min.)

From £500 (child)/£1000 (adult)

A premium, entirely private VIP day out, customising four animal encounters.#

Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh Zoo events

Certain after-hours events, such as the Giant Lanterns or Late Night Openings, can be booked independently as they take place after the main gates close. However, daytime workshops or markets require standard zoo admission or a valid membership to access.