September 29

Special Presentation: Saving Elephants in Tanzania

with Dr. Charles Foley

Join Dr. Charles Foley, head of the Tarangire Elephant Project in Tanzania, Africa, for a fascinating presentation on elephant conservation. Dr. Foley has studied elephants in the Tarangire National Park for 15 years. His project, funded in part by the Rhode Island Zoological Society / Roger Williams Park Zoo Conservation Fund, has expanded beyond the national park boundaries to identify migration corridors and work with local communities to insure their long-term protection. Foley’s work has been featured in several wildlife documentaries, news programs, and popular wildlife magazines, including BBC Wildlife and Wildlife Conservation. The program will take place in the Roger Williams Park Casino and features gourmet hors d’oeuvres and cash bar at 6p.m., followed by the presentation at 7p.m. Tickets are $50. Call the Rhode Island Zoological Society at 401-941-3910 x453 by September 22 to purchase tickets.

October 3

Teacher Appreciation Day

Roger Williams Park Zoo is inviting all teachers to head to the Zoo for a “wild” day just for them. The day offers teachers an opportunity to explore all the education resources available at the Zoo, with free admission for teachers and half-priced admission for up to three guests (must show a registration confirmation page and teacher ID or pay stub to be granted the discount). Special activities include demonstrations of Zoo education programs, animal encounters, entertainment, refreshments and giveaways. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.rwpzoo.org to register, or call 401-785-3510.



October 3

World Animal Day & Photo Safari Workshops

Celebrate World Animal Day at the perfect place - Roger Williams Park Zoo - and enjoy some fun activities and crafts with a geography theme, as well as traditional music and dance from local cultural groups. These activities run 11am-3pm and are free with Zoo admission. Plus, wildlife and photography enthusiasts can take part in a Photo Safari Workshop with award winning National Geographic photographer Darlyne Murawski. Various sessions will be held for ages 4 through adult. Pre-registration is required; $15 per person, in addition to Zoo admission. Visit www.rwpzoo.org for details and to register.



October 8 – November 1

Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

The now-famous Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular returns to Roger Williams Park Zoo with all the amazing artistry and “gourd-ly” grandeur that visitors have come to expect, now expanded into an even more extravagent experience. See thousands of illuminated pumpkins on display in a woodland setting, hundreds of which are carved with amazing artistry. Themed groupings depicting everything from children’s favorite stories to pop culture, all brought to life with special lighting and music, make this a family Halloween hotspot that you won’t want to miss! Open nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. (last entry at 10 p.m.) $12 adults, $10 seniors (62+), $9 children (3 – 12); children under 3 are free. RWP Zoo members receive a discount on Monday through Thursday nights, when they show a membership card and another form of ID; no other discounts will apply. Check www.rwpzoo.org for more information.



October 17, 18, 24, 25

Spooky Zoo

Head to Roger Williams Park Zoo for Halloween family fun! Trick-or-treat and enjoy live music and seasonal entertainment including pumpkin carving demonstrations, games, animal encounters, costumed characters, pumpkin treats for the animals and more. Kids 12 and under who come in costume receive half-priced admission. Activities run from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and are free with Zoo admission.



October 17, 18, 24 & 25

Spooktacular Pumpkin Party

Roger Williams Park Zoo is inviting families to celebrate the most “spooktacular” time of the year with a truly “wild” Halloween party. Party runs 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and includes treats and a special Halloween magic show! Advanced ticket purchase is required; tickets will not be sold on the day of the event. Tickets include Zoo admission and are $19.95 for adults ($17.95 for RWP Zoo members), $14.95 for children ages 3 – 12 ($13.95 for members) and $4.95 for toddlers (ages 2 and under). Seating is limited. Call 401-785-3510 x343 or 401-941-4998 to purchase tickets.



October 24

“Boo at the Zoo” Family Overnight

Head to Roger Williams Park Zoo for a fun-filled overnight guaranteed to give you goose bumps. From spiders to bats to wolves and more, misunderstood animals have been the stuff of scary movies and books for ages. Get the skinny from Zoo staff as they bust some myths about these creatures and the very important role they play in the world. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.rwpzoo.org for further details, pricing, and to register, or call 401-785-3510.



November 8, 14

Boy Scout Pin & Beltloop Days

Boy Scouts are invited to the Zoo for a day of fun and discovery just for them. While enjoying the exhibits, scouts will learn about wildlife from Zoo staff and earn their Wildlife Conservation Pin and Beltloop. Pre-registration is required. For more information, visit www.rwpzoo.org beginning in mid-summer, or call 401-785-3510 x352.



November 21 & 22

Charity Coat Drive

Roger Williams Park Zoo is partnering with the Buy Nothing Day Coalition to collect new or gently used coats to donate to those in need. Those who donate a coat will receive half-priced admission to the Zoo for the day (for up to four people in their party). Both children’s and adults’ coats will be accepted; extra large coats are in particular demand. The coats will be distributed to those in need on the State House lawn and various locations around the state on the day after Thanksgiving, through the Buy Nothing Day Coalition’s 13th annual Winter Coat Exchange.



November 28

Santa’s Arrival & Holiday Parade

Usher in the holiday season with the Jolly Old Elf himself at Roger Williams Park Zoo. See Santa arrive by helicopter in grand style at 9:15 a.m, then take part in a festive holiday parade, see the animals receive some “gifts” of their own and from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., enjoy a number of other activities that’ll get the whole family glowing with holiday cheer. Activities are free with regular Zoo admission. Visit www.rwpzoo.org for details, or call 401-785-3510 x343.



November 28, 29, December 5, 6, 12 & 13

Visit with Santa

Celebrate the holiday season in wild style at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Meet the Jolly Old Elf himself while enjoying a hearty breakfast buffet or afternoon cookies and milk with a variety of activities for the whole family. A photo with Santa for each child and admission to the Zoo for the day are included. Tickets must be purchased in advance either at the ticket window or by calling 401-941-4998 or 401-785-3510 x343. Breakfast with Santa runs 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and tickets are $34.95 for adults ($29.95 for RWP Zoo members), $29.95 for children ages 3 – 12 ($24.95 for members) and $7.95 for toddlers (ages 2 and under). Milk & Cookies with Santa runs from 1:30 – 3 p.m. and tickets are $19.95 for adults ($14.95 for members), $14.95 for children ages 3 – 12 ($12.95 for members) and $7.95 for toddlers (ages 2 and under). For more information, call or visit www.rwpzoo.org.



September - December
Toddler Trek at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Designed for children ages 20 to 36 months, Toddler Trek is an engaging 45-minute class that helps parent and child explore nature and animal themes through songs, movement, biofacts, animal visitors and interactive play stations. Themes change monthly, with programs scheduled at various times throughout the month. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.rwpzoo.org and click on “Education” to register and to view program dates, times, themes and fees, or call 401-785-3510 x358.



September - December

Wild Tales at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Wild Tales is an hour-long story time for children ages 3 to 5 and their parents. Designed to pique childrens’ interest in broad wildlife themes, each class includes a story, make-your-own snack activity and up-close experiences with nature and wildlife. Stories change monthly, with programs scheduled throughout the month. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.rwpzoo.org and click on “Education” to register and to view program dates, times, themes and fees, or call 401-785-3510 x358.



September - December
Preschool Adventures at Roger Williams Park Zoo

The Preschool Adventures program, designed for children ages 3 to 5, focuses on a special animal or area of the Zoo and presents opportunities for adult/child pairs to make discoveries together. Each 90-minute program includes a lesson, snack and craft activity. Themes change monthly, with programs scheduled throughout the month. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.rwpzoo.org and click on “Education” to register and to view program dates, times, themes and fees, or call 401-785-3510 x358.



September - December
Zoo Explorers at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Roger Williams Park Zoo hosts this exciting hour-long program just for kids ages 6 to 8 years old, Zoo Explorerkids can have fun while learning more about our world and the animals in it. Each program features hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom followed by outdoor exploration of the Zoo to learn more about habitat, adaptations, niches and animal behaviors. Themes change monthly, with programs scheduled throughout the month. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.rwpzoo.org and click on “Education” to register and to view program dates, times, themes and fees, or call 401-785-3510 x358.



September - December

KidzArt at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Kids ages 6 to 12 are invited to explore their artistic side at the Zoo, through a fun drawing lesson designed to help develop new skills. Each class is based around a different animal theme. Class runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.rwpzoo.org and click on “Education” to register and to view program dates, themes and fees, or call 401-785-3510 x358 for more information.







Hours:

Roger Williams Park Zoo is open year ‘round, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily (last admission at 3:30).

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas day; closed at 2 p.m. on June 27 for Zoobilee fundraiser.


Admission:

General Zoo admission is $12 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children (ages 3 – 12); Zoo members and children under 3 are free.

Certain special events (such as the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular) and ticketed events are priced separately.