Host an Event
Gather your guests and roam where the wild things are! Where else can you and your guests mingle, dine and stroll among exotic animals like giraffes, snow leopards, and otters? We are the perfect backdrop for your company outing, bridal or baby shower, birthday party, family reunion, senior tour, and so much more!
Zoo Birthday Parties
Celebrate someone’s special day in a wild way! Choose from a package party extravaganza that includes everything you need or a customizable DIY party adventure that lets you celebrate how you want.
Choose Your Party!
Package parties include:
- All-day access to the Zoo
- Use of semi-private party space for 90 minutes, 2 hours, or 3 hours
- Tablecloths and eco-friendly plates, cups, napkins, and utensils – all complimentary
- Kid-friendly fare for everyone:
- Cheese pizza or hot dogs
- Ice cream treat
- Juice and water
- Downloadable party invitations
- Option to customize your party with exclusive extras!
The basic party package includes 15 guests and costs $550 for RWPZ members or $575 for non-members. Add additional guests for just $35 each. A guest is considered anyone over age 1 and includes both adults and children. Parties take place at 11 AM or 1:30 PM.
CUSTOMIZE with exciting extras like animal encounters, favor bags, and face painting (seasonal). See drop-down below to learn more.
READY TO BOOK? Contact GSales@rwpzoo.org and let us know your desired date(s) and times!
Daytime DIY parties include:
- All-day access to the Zoo for party guests
- Use of a semi-private party space for 90 minutes, 2 hours, or 3 hours.
- Ability to bring in their favorite activities, food, and party goods from home (limited exceptions apply).
- Downloadable party invitations
- Option to customize your party with exclusive extras!
DIY parties start at $445 and include 15 guests. Add additional guests for $19.00 per adult or $13.00 per child (ages 2-12). A guest is considered anyone over age 1 and includes both adults and children. Parties take place at 11 AM or 1:30 PM.
PLUS add on great extras like animal encounters, favor bags, and face painting. See drop-down below to learn more.
READY TO BOOK? Contact GSales@rwpzoo.org and let us know your desired date(s) and times!
Celebrate open-ended play and exploration with this special, private birthday event!
After-hours Backyard Bash parties begin at $955 and include:
- Exclusive access to Hasbro’s Our Big Backyard, CVS Health Treehouse, and Beyond the Fence play zones after the Zoo is closed to the public
- Access to the nearby Adventure Tent gathering space
- Ability to bring your favorite treats from home, or arrange to have delicious food served at your party by our catering team (additional fees apply).
- Rain-or-shine party occurrences, so even if it looks like rain you needn’t worry about reschedule – the party goes on! Just bring rainboots and be ready to PLAY!
- PLUS add on great extras like animal encounters, favor bags, and face painting. Click below to learn more.
These parties take place seasonally, from May through Labor Day!
- These parties book fast, and all parties are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis with both a completed contract and payment required to book.
READY TO BOOK? Contact GSales@rwpzoo.org and let us know your desired date(s) and times!
Add these wild Zoo exclusives to make your party even more special:
- Animal encounter: Bring a little wild a little closer! Schedule a 20-minute meet-and-greet with a trained animal handler, who will be there to answer any questions you may have. You’ll work with our Education staff to create a custom encounter experience, tailored just for your group! Some of our ambassador animals include bearded dragons, tortoises, armadillos, snakes, and more! PLUS, the guest of honor will receive a special birthday card, signed by our ambassador animals! $100.
- Double animal encounter: Why have one animal, when you can have two? This feature includes two of our animals (as described above) and a birthday card for an unforgettable experience! $175.
- Favor bags: Add on safari-themed favor bags for your guests! Goodies include slinky, coloring books, tattoos, small animal plush, and more!) $8 each
- Face Painting & Henna Art: Schedule a private artist to come work their magic for the first hour of your party! Choose from an array of beautiful designs, all presented to you in a look book at the party. This is a 60-minute experience. Starts at $200.
- All parties are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Both a completed contract and payment are required to book.
- When you’re ready to book, contact GSales@rwpzoo.org with the type of party, possible party dates/times, and we’ll send along the contract. Parties are booking FAST so schedule yours soon!
- Parties typically take place in one of the zoo’s outdoor tented locations. This way, you are protected from sun or showers, and never have to worry about a rain date. In winter, we do have an indoor location where we will schedule parties.
- Most of our zoo venues can accommodate up to 80 guests.
Host a Zoo Event to Remember:
Learn more about how to plan a custom event at Roger Williams Park Zoo:
Check out our 2024 Event Planning Guide >
Daytime outings are our most popular way to gather! They take place during the zoo’s normal daytime hours of operation. Daytime outing hosts reserve a venue for gathering, purchase zoo admission for each guest, and then complete the experience with wild extras like animal encounters, delicious catering, and so much more!
The easiest way to learn about daytime outings is to review the daytime outing contract. It will guide you through the process. When you’re ready to book, contact GSales@rwpzoo.org with your ideas, estimated headcount, desired dates and more!
Evening events are perfect for those seeking a little more privacy and exclusivity. They take place after our normal hours of operation and run 5:30 – 8:30 PM. During this time, your group has EXCLUSIVE access to unique exhibit areas. Admission, security, and free parking are included in your event and guests will be able to view animals’ zoo-wide. Complete the experience with wild extras like animal encounters, delicious catering, and so much more! This private option is perfect for larger companies or those wanting to reward guests, donors, and sponsors with an unforgettable night.
The easiest way to learn about evening events is to review the general contract. It will guide you through the process. When you’re ready to book, contact GSales@rwpzoo.org with your ideas, estimated headcount, desired dates and more!
Schedule an animal encounter (meet our ambassador animals), book a private face painter, add favor bags, or plan a delicious meal – we have SO many ways for you to make the experience perfect. Ask for a contract today to learn more!
All events are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Both a completed contract and payment are required to book.
When you’re ready to book, contact GSales@rwpzoo.org with the type of event, possible event dates/times, and any helpful context or requests for your event. Events are booking FAST so schedule yours soon!
All events take place rain-or-shine. Outings typically take place in one of the zoo’s outdoor tented locations. This way, you are protected from sun or showers, and never have to worry about a rain date. In winter, we do have an indoor location where we will schedule outings. For evening events, we’ll help you maximize zoo features to ensure your event can go on no matter the forecast.
Face masks may be required for all guests (regardless of vaccination status) during a private animal encounter. Additional masking may be required at any point, based on state guidance and zoo policy.
Special Events at Carousel Village
Or make Carousel Village the destination for your next event! We proudly host daytime/after-hours events, group visits, birthday parties and photo sessions.