Bring the family to Zoo Music during the summer to enjoy performances by national touring entertainment. Plan to spend an evening with wildlife, food, music and fun. Kids will have fun getting their faces painted. Adults with an ID can order a drink from the variety of bars at the Zoo. Dusk is one of the more active times for animals and a great time to learn about the Zoo's conservation initiatives. All habitats will be open except the Penguin Chill. Guests are welcome to bring chairs, coolers and picnics. Glass containers, alcohol, sports equipment, tents and canopies are prohibited. This is a rain or shine event.

Behind-the-scenes walk of the Northern Trail to see moose and other Northern Trail residents. May include feeding snacks, assisting in training sessions, and taking photos. Includes 0.25 mile walk outdoors. Registration closes Friday before at noon.

Partnership between zoo and performing arts center. Ages 9-11, July 27-31, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Combines wildlife exploration with creative movement and performance. Monday-Wednesday at zoo, Thursday-Friday at performing arts center.

July 27th-31st. July 27-28: 9AM-3PM. July 29: arrive at 9AM for two-night overnight trip returning by 3PM on July 31. Ages 10-14 years old (as of January 1). Participants learn about water and animals in aquatic ecosystems. Work with an NCWRC Biologist to conduct surveys including electrofishing and macro invertebrate identification. Also includes a canoe trip down Johns River, a white-water rafting trip down the Tuckasegee River, and a two-night overnight camping trip. Transportation provided. Participants must bring lunch Monday-Wednesday; food for overnight portion is covered. Limited to 10 participants. Enrollment in 4-H Online is required.

For ages 10-14. Campers can expect to be immersed in information about creatures ranging from the very tiny to the largest fur-bearing animals in North Dakota. Campers will enjoy hikes, experiments and creature adaptations to learn what makes them unique. Camp runs August 2-6, 2026, beginning with check-in at 4 p.m. Central time and ending at 11 a.m. Central time. 4-H membership is NOT required for participation. Scholarships are available for income eligible families.

Part of North Dakota 4-H camping program focusing on wildlife and environmental science for ages 10-14. Check-in at 4 p.m. Central Time, ends at 11 a.m. Central Time.

Staff from the Oneida Nation and UW-Green Bay will lead campers on a journey to explore the amazing and beautiful natural world for their fifth annual camp! During the first and last days of this 3-day camp, students will hike marshes, grasslands, and forests on Oneida Nation land and discover plants, plant medicines, birds, bugs, frogs, and other wildlife at four sites Oneida has restored from agricultural lands. Students will participate in scavenger hunts, search for and identify wildlife, catch fish and invertebrates, and gain hands-on experiences with nature. Open to Oneida Nation citizens only.

Join us for the Mount Rogers Summer Naturalist Rally! There's something for the entire family with a keynote speaker Friday evening followed by nighttime explorations. Saturday promises a full day of expert-led nature programs and youth programming. Topics include salamanders, wildflowers, geology, birding, fishing, cultural history, mammals, medicinal plants, general natural history, and much, much more! Event runs Friday August 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM through Saturday August 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Register for the rally, buy meal tickets, and reserve a room.

Behind-the-scenes walk of the Northern Trail to see moose and other Northern Trail residents. May include feeding snacks, assisting in training sessions, and taking photos. Includes 0.25 mile walk outdoors. Registration closes Friday before at noon.

Special Fairy Festival edition. Join the Fairy Court to help search the forest for hidden fairy friends in a scavenger hunt adventure. Learn about and connect with the natural world and discover a little magic along the way. After the hunt, get hands-on in nature by using natural materials to build your very own fairy house in VINS' Fairy Town. Wings and fairy costumes are encouraged! Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Before the Zoo opens, walk the Tropics Trail and watch as the animals wake up for the day. From howling gibbons and crooning hornbills to grunting lemurs and honking flamingos, open your ears to the chorus of songs welcoming you to a morning in the tropics. Get a bird's eye view from our special aviary treehouse and be entranced as the tropical birds come to feed for the morning. This experience is ideal for photographers, families, and birders of all sorts!

Join us on Sunday, August 30 to witness the nighthawk migration! This event is a member-only / BRB event. Registration is required. Additional information will be sent to registered participants prior to the event. Not a member yet? Easily become a member and join us for this and many more unique events throughout the year!

Single session of the Planting for Birds Program at the RTP Estuary Center. Program focuses on native plants that support bird populations.

In 1997, the Wings Over Water (WOW) Wildlife Festival was established as a way to encourage and offer the public opportunities for wildlife and wildland interpretation, education and experiences on regional national wildlife refuges. This annual fundraising event for national wildlife refuges has grown from offering just a few activities in 1997 to now featuring over 60 birding, paddling, photography, art, and natural history programs. Wings Over Water is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society (CWRS), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting regional national wildlife refuges. In addition to providing funds for educational grants to schools, WOW contributes to many CWRS projects, such as maintaining trails, signs, and other refuge structures. Also, WOW helps CWRS provide volunteers and staff who are essential to the maintenance and operation of the regional national wildlife refuges visitor centers and refuges.

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival began in 1997 to connect the public with wildlife and wildland experiences in regional national wildlife refuges. Hosted across six refuges in northeastern North Carolina, the festival features about 60 programs, including birding, paddling, photography, and natural history, making it one of the premier East Coast wildlife festivals. It also supports refuge conservation and education through the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society. Keynote event will be at the historic Pioneer Theater downtown Manteo, North Carolina. Festival runs October 13-18, 2026 with WOW Encore December 4-6, 2026.

WOW Encore is an extension of the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, running December 4-6, 2026. This encore event continues the wildlife and conservation programming offered during the main festival.

Winter Animal Enrichment Day featuring hot beverages, festive music, and winter fun. Help fill animal stockings with special treats and enrichment items for zoo animals during colder months. Discounts available: Black Friday discount code BLACKFRIDAY (Nov 24-29), and 50% off for ZIZS members.

Single session of the Planting for Birds Program at the RTP Estuary Center. Program focuses on native plants that support bird populations.