Birthday Parties

Bronx Zoo Birthday Party FAQS

The Birthday Expedition package is offered Saturday and Sunday 10:30am-12:00pm.
Zoofari Birthday Party package is offered Saturday and Sunday 1:30pm-4:00pm.

We highly encourage booking 2-3 months in advance. At a minimum, parties need to be booked at least a month in advance. Call 718-741-7517 or email bzbirthdayparties@wcs.org.

Yes, a 10% non-refundable deposit is required at time of party registration to secure the party date and time. The balance must be paid in full at least one month prior to the big day. If you book the party within a month of the date, the full amount will be due to reserve the spot.

The Birthday Expedition package is an outdoor birthday experience. You will not have access to an associated party space. Therefore, you should not bring any decorations or other items you can’t carry with you throughout the experience. Animal demonstrations will take place in a designated classroom.

The Zoofari Birthday Party package does include a private party space. However, no decorations are allowed.

No. Once you are done in the party space, all belongings must be removed. No items may be left in the party space or any other education space.

No. Absolutely no balloons, sports equipment, or piñatas are allowed on zoo premises due to safety concerns for our animals and guests.

Our animal collection is subject to availability and there is no guarantee a specific animal can come into the space on a specific day. It should be noted that our animal collection is different than the Wild Encounters VIP experience. If you are interested in meeting an animal from the Wild Encounters Collection please view their program availability here.

Yes! Our birthday packages can be modified for an adult audience. Please inquire at bzbirthdayparties@wcs.org for more details.

The Birthday Expedition package has no catering option.

The Zoofari Birthday Party package includes celebratory cupcakes and catering options are available upon request for an additional fee.

Gift bags - $20 each
Additional Animal Guest - $75

No. External vendors are not allowed for our birthday party experiences.

A non-refundable deposit to secure your date, space and time is required. Should you wish to cancel your party 30 days prior to your event, we will issue a full refund of any monies received, minus the deposit. No refunds will be provided for parties canceled less than 30 days in advance. All cancellations must be made in writing via email and sent to bzbirthdayparties@wcs.org. Phone cancellations will not be accepted.

Once the date has been set, and the deposit taken, your party is booked. Should you wish to reschedule the date, please note that we require a minimum of 60 days notice to book a new event date and charge a $100 service fee. Your deposit will transfer, however event dates are subject to availability. Please contact the Party Coordinator for any schedule changes and adjustments.

Parties are held rain, snow, or shine. Please encourage guests to dress appropriately for a day at the zoo. If, due to a snowstorm (3 or more inches of snow), hurricane, fire or flood 48 hours before your event, you feel you need to reschedule your party, the Bronx Zoo reserves the right to withhold your deposit. In the event that the Zoo is officially closed, we will reschedule your party for a later date with no fee incurred.

Yes, the guest count must include all children 1+ and all adults in attendance at the party.

For children ages 1-3, one adult is required to accompany each child (1:1 ratio)

For children ages 4-12, one adult for every 10 children is required (1:10 ratio)

No. If the number of guests exceeds the range of the party that you initially paid for, we will need to charge you the full additional amount to increase your party size.

For accompanying guests that will not be in attendance at the party but wish to walk around while the party takes place, admission tickets must be purchased in advance on the Bronx Zoo website.

Children ages 1 and older count toward your group total.

Only individuals whose names are on the guest list will be permitted to join the party.

Guests should park in the Southern Boulevard Parking Lot, also identified as "Parking Lot C". It is located at the intersection of Southern Blvd & Crotona Parkway, Bronx, NY (NOT Crotona Blvd).

Upon entering, guests should approach an admissions booth, explain to staff they are attending a birthday party and provide the meeting location provided. Admissions staff will ask guests for their name and allow entry to the individuals listed on the approved party guest list.

Due to a very full schedule, parties may not be extended for late arriving guests beyond the scheduled end time. Education staff will provide the party experience in the scheduled time frame.

All day! Your guests are welcome to enter the zoo at 10:00am and stay until closing.

Please feel free to contact the Bronx Zoo Education Department at bzeducation@wcs.org or 718-741-7517, Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm.