Click on calendar events to learn more!
Zoo Hours
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
(We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. We close at 1 pm on the days before these holidays, with the last ticket sold at noon.)
Please note the Zoo will close at 2 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2020, with the last ticket sold at 12:30 PM as we prepare for our annual Wild Wine, Beer, and Food Safari.
Hours are subject to change due to weather and operational capacity.
(We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. We close at 1 pm on the days before these holidays, with the last ticket sold at noon.)
Please note the Zoo will close at 2 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2020, with the last ticket sold at 12:30 PM as we prepare for our annual Wild Wine, Beer, and Food Safari.
Hours are subject to change due to weather and operational capacity.
November 2019
November 2: National Bison Day
Join us at the Research Station and learn more about America’s largest mammal. These giants weigh between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds and eat up to 50 pounds of grasses a day. Vast herds once roamed our prairies and open woodlands but were driven to near extinction by early settlers and bison hunters. The last few animals kept in zoos formed the basis for the entire new (and protected) population.
November 2: Endangered Species Gala at the Patterson Club, Fairfield
An elegant evening affair will be held at the Patterson Club in Fairfield. The Gala’s guest speaker is Richard Hyman. In his personal account of Scuba diving with Jacques Cousteau, Richard takes us behind the scenes, inside the legendary ship, and under the sea. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies is comedian, writer and director Evan Kaufman. The Zoo is seeking sponsors for the event. From an exclusive presenting sponsorship priced at $25,000 to the Amur Tiger at $10,000, the Golden Lion Tamarin at $5,000, and the Red Wolf at $2,500, there are multiple opportunities for corporations and individuals to contribute. Interested supporters can contact Jessica Taylor, event fundraising coordinator, at 203-394-5522, or at jtaylor@beardsleyzoo.org.
November 9-11: Fall Into Fun Family Weekend II
Spend the November long weekend at the Zoo! Activities will include a maze to navigate, story-times, scavenger hunts, and crafts at the Research Station. The canteen will serve corn on the cob in celebration of fall. Guests will enjoy seeing the dozens of decorated scarecrows on the lawn in front of the Victorian Greenhouse and hear Animal Talks from the Zoo’s Education staff.
November 11: Veteran’s Day
Veterans get in free, with a 20% discount for their families.
November 12 & 13: Zoo Tots, 10:30 am
This monthly 45-minute program for children 22 months to four years old, who are accompanied by an adult, may include theme related songs or games, live animals, and a simple craft. This session is entitled “Who Eats What?” Pre-registration is required by calling 203-394-6563 or emailing programming@beardsleyzoo.org. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child, and $15 for non-members and one child. Please note that the program fills up very quickly and pre-registration is required.
November 14, National Monkey Day
Every year on December 14 this National Day celebrates around the world recognize the unique characteristics of simians. While the holiday is mainly about monkeys, it also celebrates other non-human primates such as apes, tarsiers, and lemurs. Monkeys live all over the world and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their personalities and habits capture the attention of humans on many levels. These intelligent animals with opposable thumbs live in family groups, too.
November 19, 6:30-8:30 PM: Teen Volunteer Open House
Interested in learning more about our award-winning teen volunteer programs at the Zoo? Stop by the Hanson Building at the Zoo on November 19th or December 5th to learn more about our Conservation Discovery Corps and Explorers programs. Open to high school students and their parents. Click here for more information.
November 27: Zoo Closes Early
Last ticket sold at noon; Zoo closes at 1:00 p.m.
November 28: Thanksgiving/Zoo Closed
Join us at the Research Station and learn more about America’s largest mammal. These giants weigh between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds and eat up to 50 pounds of grasses a day. Vast herds once roamed our prairies and open woodlands but were driven to near extinction by early settlers and bison hunters. The last few animals kept in zoos formed the basis for the entire new (and protected) population.
November 2: Endangered Species Gala at the Patterson Club, Fairfield
An elegant evening affair will be held at the Patterson Club in Fairfield. The Gala’s guest speaker is Richard Hyman. In his personal account of Scuba diving with Jacques Cousteau, Richard takes us behind the scenes, inside the legendary ship, and under the sea. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies is comedian, writer and director Evan Kaufman. The Zoo is seeking sponsors for the event. From an exclusive presenting sponsorship priced at $25,000 to the Amur Tiger at $10,000, the Golden Lion Tamarin at $5,000, and the Red Wolf at $2,500, there are multiple opportunities for corporations and individuals to contribute. Interested supporters can contact Jessica Taylor, event fundraising coordinator, at 203-394-5522, or at jtaylor@beardsleyzoo.org.
November 9-11: Fall Into Fun Family Weekend II
Spend the November long weekend at the Zoo! Activities will include a maze to navigate, story-times, scavenger hunts, and crafts at the Research Station. The canteen will serve corn on the cob in celebration of fall. Guests will enjoy seeing the dozens of decorated scarecrows on the lawn in front of the Victorian Greenhouse and hear Animal Talks from the Zoo’s Education staff.
November 11: Veteran’s Day
Veterans get in free, with a 20% discount for their families.
November 12 & 13: Zoo Tots, 10:30 am
This monthly 45-minute program for children 22 months to four years old, who are accompanied by an adult, may include theme related songs or games, live animals, and a simple craft. This session is entitled “Who Eats What?” Pre-registration is required by calling 203-394-6563 or emailing programming@beardsleyzoo.org. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child, and $15 for non-members and one child. Please note that the program fills up very quickly and pre-registration is required.
November 14, National Monkey Day
Every year on December 14 this National Day celebrates around the world recognize the unique characteristics of simians. While the holiday is mainly about monkeys, it also celebrates other non-human primates such as apes, tarsiers, and lemurs. Monkeys live all over the world and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their personalities and habits capture the attention of humans on many levels. These intelligent animals with opposable thumbs live in family groups, too.
November 19, 6:30-8:30 PM: Teen Volunteer Open House
Interested in learning more about our award-winning teen volunteer programs at the Zoo? Stop by the Hanson Building at the Zoo on November 19th or December 5th to learn more about our Conservation Discovery Corps and Explorers programs. Open to high school students and their parents. Click here for more information.
November 27: Zoo Closes Early
Last ticket sold at noon; Zoo closes at 1:00 p.m.
November 28: Thanksgiving/Zoo Closed
December 2019
December 5: Teen Volunteer Open House, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Investigate Zoo life with our teen programs. The Zoo offers seasonal as well as year-long programs, including Conservation Discovery Corps and our Explorer Post. Our programs inspire and motivate teens looking for hands-on Zoo life experience. For high school teens with parents or guardians. In the Zoo’s Hanson Building, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport.
December 7 & 8: Breakfast with Frosty, 8:30-10:00
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has a longtime family tradition: Breakfast with Frosty! The delicious buffet breakfast includes a visit with Santa and his elf, photo opportunities with Frosty the Snowman, Stripes the Tiger, and Thirsty the Penguin and carousel rides. Note: On Sunday, December 8, Mrs. Claus will be standing in for Santa Claus. Event is $20 per person for Zoo Members and $25 per person for non-Members. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Pre-registration required; see the Zoo website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/breakfast-with-frosty.html for more information.
December 10 & 11: Zoo Tots, 10:30 am
This monthly 45-minute program for children 22 months to four years old, who are accompanied by an adult, may include theme related songs or games, live animals, and a simple craft. This session is entitled “Nap or Not?” Pre-registration is required by calling 203-394-6563 or emailing programming@beardsleyzoo.org. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child, and $15 for non-members and one child. Please note that the program fills up very quickly and pre-registration is required.
December 14 & 15: Breakfast with Frosty, 8:30-10:00
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has a longtime family tradition: Breakfast with Frosty! The delicious buffet breakfast includes a visit with Santa and his elf, photo opportunities with Frosty the Snowman, Stripes the Tiger, and Thirsty the Penguin and carousel rides on December 15. Note: On December 14, there will be special seating in the Zoo's Hanson Building. The Carousel Building will be closed on December 14, and weather permitting, hayrides will be available as a substitute for carousel rides.
Event is $20 per person for Zoo Members and $25 per person for non-Members. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Pre-registration required; see the Zoo website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/breakfast-with-frosty.html for more information.
December 21 & 22: Breakfast with Frosty, 8:30-10:00
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has a longtime family tradition: Breakfast with Frosty! The delicious buffet breakfast includes a visit with Santa and his elf, photo opportunities with Frosty the Snowman, Stripes the Tiger, and Thirsty the Penguin and carousel rides. Event is $20 per person for Zoo Members and $25 per person for non-Members. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Pre-registration required; see the Zoo website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/breakfast-with-frosty.html for more information.
December 24/Christmas Eve: Zoo closes early
Last ticket sold at noon; Zoo closes at 1:00 p.m.
December 25/Christmas: Zoo closed
Investigate Zoo life with our teen programs. The Zoo offers seasonal as well as year-long programs, including Conservation Discovery Corps and our Explorer Post. Our programs inspire and motivate teens looking for hands-on Zoo life experience. For high school teens with parents or guardians. In the Zoo’s Hanson Building, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport.
December 7 & 8: Breakfast with Frosty, 8:30-10:00
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has a longtime family tradition: Breakfast with Frosty! The delicious buffet breakfast includes a visit with Santa and his elf, photo opportunities with Frosty the Snowman, Stripes the Tiger, and Thirsty the Penguin and carousel rides. Note: On Sunday, December 8, Mrs. Claus will be standing in for Santa Claus. Event is $20 per person for Zoo Members and $25 per person for non-Members. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Pre-registration required; see the Zoo website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/breakfast-with-frosty.html for more information.
December 10 & 11: Zoo Tots, 10:30 am
This monthly 45-minute program for children 22 months to four years old, who are accompanied by an adult, may include theme related songs or games, live animals, and a simple craft. This session is entitled “Nap or Not?” Pre-registration is required by calling 203-394-6563 or emailing programming@beardsleyzoo.org. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child, and $15 for non-members and one child. Please note that the program fills up very quickly and pre-registration is required.
December 14 & 15: Breakfast with Frosty, 8:30-10:00
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has a longtime family tradition: Breakfast with Frosty! The delicious buffet breakfast includes a visit with Santa and his elf, photo opportunities with Frosty the Snowman, Stripes the Tiger, and Thirsty the Penguin and carousel rides on December 15. Note: On December 14, there will be special seating in the Zoo's Hanson Building. The Carousel Building will be closed on December 14, and weather permitting, hayrides will be available as a substitute for carousel rides.
Event is $20 per person for Zoo Members and $25 per person for non-Members. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Pre-registration required; see the Zoo website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/breakfast-with-frosty.html for more information.
December 21 & 22: Breakfast with Frosty, 8:30-10:00
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has a longtime family tradition: Breakfast with Frosty! The delicious buffet breakfast includes a visit with Santa and his elf, photo opportunities with Frosty the Snowman, Stripes the Tiger, and Thirsty the Penguin and carousel rides. Event is $20 per person for Zoo Members and $25 per person for non-Members. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Pre-registration required; see the Zoo website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/breakfast-with-frosty.html for more information.
December 24/Christmas Eve: Zoo closes early
Last ticket sold at noon; Zoo closes at 1:00 p.m.
December 25/Christmas: Zoo closed
