Events At The OKC Zoo Wrapping Up The Summer In Oklahoma

Summer is just about over and there's still plenty of events coming up at the Oklahoma City Zoo to wrap up the season. It's almost like they're finding every reason to celebrate their animals. Between the Lights Out Movement, Elephant Awareness Day and Hoofstock, there's enough to keep families entertained well into the fall.

Some of the celebrations at the Zoo include certain perks, like free admission tickets and one of the biggest trick-or-treat events in the state. While not every event includes special moments with their critters, there's a little something for everyone in each event.

Don't forget that the OKC Zoo is regularly open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Online tickets may be your best option in order to avoid the long lines and wait time when you arrive.

Get up close and personal with these animal enrichment activities.

One of the most unique ways the OKC Zoo involves their guests is through animal enrichment activities. They sometimes ask the public to provide goods for the animals, or in some cases, even allow guests to feed the animals.

Below are a few crazy good opportunities to see the Zoo's animals up close and personal.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1: OKC ZOO HOSTS OVERNIGHT FOCUSING ON GIRAFFES AND HOOFSTOCK!

Families with kids 5 and older can join the Zoo’s education team for a sleepover where giraffes and their hoofed friends take center stage with fun hoofstock facts, an enrichment activity, and private night and morning Zoo hikes.

The cost for each participant is $55. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program. Sign up at okczoo.org/private-overnights.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2: OKC ZOO HOSTS WORLD ELEPHANT DAY ACTIVITIES FROM 9:30 A.M. TO NOON

Head to the Zoo’s elephant habitat in Sanctuary Asia for caretaker chats, enrichment events, and a variety of Asian elephant games including Foraging for Food, a Meet the Herd matching game, and an elephant personality quiz.

There will also be a special elephant presentation at 2 p.m. in the Inasmuch Elephant Pavilion at Sanctuary Asia. There’s another big reason to celebrate, as this is baby Asian elephant Xerxes’ first World Elephant Day.

They'll also have plushes that can be purchased in support of elephant conservation, as well as custom canvas totes. World Elephant Day activities are free with regular admission.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15: OKC ZOO’S HAUNT THE ZOO TICKETS ON SALE

Tickets go LIVE for one of the largest trick-or-treating events in the state. This annual trick-or-treat event runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October and, this year only, a special night of Haunt the Zoo trick-or-treating on Halloween, Friday, October 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6: OKC ZOO HOSTS CARNIVORES GALORE OVERNIGHT

Spend the night learning about nature's fiercest predators! From big cats to dwarf mongoose, predators come in all shapes and sizes. Enjoy fun carnivore facts, an enrichment activity, and private night and morning Zoo hikes.

The event runs from 6:45 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The cost for each participant is $55. All children (5 years and older) must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program. Sign up at okczoo.org/private-overnights.

Largest line up in Oklahoma for live music at the Zoo Ampitheater.

We don't play around when it comes to music in Oklahoma. The Zoo Ampitheater is bringing some of the biggest stars in Pop, Country, R&B and even some old favorites in other genres this summer. Below is their schedule starting this August:

• Friday, August 1 – Grateful Shred
• Friday, August 15 – Brantley Gilbert
• Sunday, August 17 – TOTO, Men At Work, Christopher Cross
• Wednesday, August 20 – Big Time Rush
• Sunday, August 24 – Teddy Swims
• Thursday, September 4 – Pixies, Spoon, Fazerdazer
• Saturday, September 6 – Nelly
• Wednesday, September 10 – Lauren Daigle
• Thursday, September 11 – Goo Goo Dolls and Dashboard Confessional
• Saturday, September 20 – Leon Bridges and Charlie Crockett
• Thursday, September 25 – Jon Pardi
• Friday, September 26 – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
• Saturday, September 27 – Charlie Wilson, Babyface, K-Ci, El DeBarge

Unique One-Of-A-Kind Activities at the OKC Zoo.

• Saturday, September 6 is World Primate Day! The zoo will have games, caretaker chats, and special animal enrichments. Oklahoma Zoological Society will be doing primate adoptions. Those who donate $25 will receive a gorilla plush. 

• On Saturday September 13, Clifford The Big Red Dog is visiting the Zoo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and guests are welcome to join the meet and greet.
• September with Curbside Chronicle - in the September edition of the magazine, they will have a voucher for free general admission!

There are even more events happening this summer at the OKC Zoo. To find out just the right one for you, click here.