Topeka Zoo

Topeka Zoo To enrich our community through wildlife conservation and education. Today, our Zoo features more than 300 animals amidst acres of native horticulture.

Located in the heart of Gage Park, the Topeka Zoo has been a favorite destination for kids and adults alike since the 1930s. As you enter the Zoo, your passport to adventure will take you on a journey to innovative animal exhibits – you can go on safari in Camp Cowabunga … enjoy the beautiful foliage of the tropics in the Tropical Rainforest … and interact with domestic animals in the popular Chil

dren’s Zoo. Come visit the new Kay McFarland Japanese Garden that features traditional koi ponds, lush landscaping, and exquisite architectural elements. Visit our website at www.topekazoo.org

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🎄🐘 Trunks up - we'll be CLOSED to the public during the day tomorrow!To give staff time with their families, the Topeka ...
12/24/2025

🎄🐘 Trunks up - we'll be CLOSED to the public during the day tomorrow!

To give staff time with their families, the Topeka Zoo will be CLOSED for General Admission on Christmas Day.

ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy will be OPEN for anyone wanting to continue holiday festivities! Open from 6 pm - 9 pm, enjoy a $2 discount on each ticket when purchasing at the gate (discount not applicable to online purchases due to tech limitations).

MORE INFO ON ZOO LIGHTS HERE: https://topekazoo.org/zoo-events/topeka-zoo-lights-around-the-world/

❄️MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW!❄️It's no secret - ZOO LIGHTS takes a LOT of power (big thank you to presenting sponsor, Ever...
12/22/2025

❄️MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW!❄️

It's no secret - ZOO LIGHTS takes a LOT of power (big thank you to presenting sponsor, Evergy). All of that power comes from intricate control boxes & electrical pathways - which is where Charlie comes in!

Charlie's role as a Zoo Lights Team Member this year heavily centered around designing the layout of the control boxes for this year's production, as well as connect them to various lights & displays. We're very appreciative of Charlie & his help in powering Zoo Lights!

Come see Charlie's work in person! ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World runs until December 31. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://topekazoo.org/zoo-events/topeka-zoo-lights-around-the-world/

12/22/2025

Come see us this week at Zoo Lights!!! Inside Big Gage!

❄️MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW ❄️When Gaby's not working inside the Zoo Gift Shop as a Guest Engagement Team Member, she's w...
12/22/2025

❄️MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW ❄️

When Gaby's not working inside the Zoo Gift Shop as a Guest Engagement Team Member, she's working as a ZOO LIGHTS frame master! Over the past 3 years of ZOO LIGHTS, Gaby has worked on many frames - applying rope lights to new frames or swapping out broken lights/revamping the classics. A few examples of the frames Gaby helped bring to life are the 3-D African Elephant, the Sugar Skulls, and the tree frames at the South Entrance.

"I've lost count of the number of frames that I've helped with throughout the years," Gaby comments. "Over a hundred, certainly."

Come see Gaby's work in person! ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World runs until December 31. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://topekazoo.org/zoo-events/topeka-zoo-lights-around-the-world/

🎄ZOO LIGHTS HOLIDAY WEEK HOURS❄️Zoo Lights (presented by Evergy) is ready for EXTENDED hours and holiday magic!From 12/2...
12/22/2025

🎄ZOO LIGHTS HOLIDAY WEEK HOURS❄️

Zoo Lights (presented by Evergy) is ready for EXTENDED hours and holiday magic!
From 12/21 - 12/28 hours will be 5 pm - 10 pm every night with the exception of Christmas (open 6 pm - 9 pm).

❄️ Christmas Eve falls on a Wild Wednesday - each admission is $9, the regular price for children's admission. Visit & unlock your inner child!
🌲 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - anyone purchasing tickets at the gate receives $2 off each ticket (not applicable online due to technology limitations).
🎅🤶 REMINDER - Mr. & Mrs. Claus are visiting Zoo Lights nightly until DECEMBER 23, before they have to rush back to the North Pole to make deliveries Christmas Eve. Visit & take pictures inside Santa's Workshop, built in the Big Gage Shelterhouse!

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW❄️Lights, more lights, and action! Bryce may have been new this year, but his technical work ...
12/21/2025

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW❄️

Lights, more lights, and action! Bryce may have been new this year, but his technical work in the theatre world brought some desirable knowledge when it came to programming lights and displays this year.

Besides getting to see his designs come to life, he's really enjoyed seeing the public's reactions to his hard work.

ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy, runs until December 31. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW ❄️Another first-timer for this year was John, Special Events Manager. John's role is highlig...
12/21/2025

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW ❄️

Another first-timer for this year was John, Special Events Manager. John's role is highlighted below- he was extraordinarily helpful in pinches or when there were less-than-ideal weather conditions. (Lights do NOT work well with snow & rain!).

Being the team player that he is, John always wants to give others credit before taking any of his own! Read below to see the nice things he had to say regarding his coworkers at the Zoo.

ZOO LIGHTS presented by Evergy runs until December 31. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW❄️ Another partnership that brings music to our ears - our friends with Chavez, Inc. were res...
12/21/2025

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW❄️

Another partnership that brings music to our ears - our friends with Chavez, Inc. were responsible for the audio and speaker installation for this year's production of ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World. Audio was carefully chosen for each area to reflect the traditions & culture, a task diligently performed by Dan and Steve.

ZOO LIGHTS presented by Evergy runs until December 31. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW❄️Each year, the Colley family generously donate their time & dedication to one of the most M...
12/20/2025

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW❄️

Each year, the Colley family generously donate their time & dedication to one of the most MAGICAL areas of ZOO LIGHTS - Santa's Workshop & Forest. The detailed, intricate setup makes for wonderful photo opportunities. It's not just a one-person job - the whole family participates in the collaborative effort of designing, building, and decorating the space!

"Our favorite part is watching an idea turn into a real, immersive space — seeing families walk in, slow down, and really take it all in. That moment when kids’ and adults’ faces light up makes every late night and detail worth it. Santa’s Vintage Toy Shoppe, the Gingerbread Village, and the Christmas Tree Farm are prime examples of the thoughtful design and creativity we like to incorporate that make ZOO LIGHTS so special.

One of our favorite things about ZOO LIGHTS as a whole is how it brings the community together. Santa’s Magical Forest is built almost entirely by volunteers and family members, and it’s designed with layers of tiny details so the longer you look, the more you discover - which even inspired our scavenger hunt." - Pat Colley

ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy runs until December 31. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW ❄️This season, the Zoo extended its partnership with Squeegee Squad Kansas Central to new he...
12/20/2025

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW ❄️

This season, the Zoo extended its partnership with Squeegee Squad Kansas Central to new heights! Squeegee Squad's team (led by Melissa, Mike & Andrew) made certain trees were wrapped higher than ever before, and with a level of precision that brings out the elegance of the whole display. Read each leader's role in the graphic below!

Andrew's favorite section is the 'Day of the Dead', and one of his favorite things about Zoo Lights is learning about all of the animals and their tolerances to light. It's amazing the Zoo takes their needs into consideration for the event!

Mike's favorite area is the Japanese Garden. One unique challenge about ZOO LIGHTS he found is the amount of power the tradition takes. This year, we could drawl a circle around Topeka with the 28 miles of lights in the trees and along the pathways (62 houses worth of power)!

Finally, Melissa's favorite section was China. The lanterns mixed with the soft white & red lights are just stunning. Her favorite learning experience this year was managing over 900 hours of volunteer activities for over 215 people. Careful management of these activities made powering more efficient, and allowed us to hit our project timelines with a little more ease this year!

One thing everyone on Squeegee Squad agreed on? Squirrels create lots of road bumps, and a great accomplishment was finding (humane!) ways to deter them.

❄️ ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy runs until December 31. Purchase tickets at: https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/SpecialEventsCategory/Zoolights

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW ❄️This year was David's first year as our Seasonal Exhibits Manager! The task of leading the...
12/20/2025

❄️ MEET THE ZOO LIGHTS CREW ❄️

This year was David's first year as our Seasonal Exhibits Manager! The task of leading the Zoo Lights crew is no easy one - but David was sure up to the challenge. See below to learn more about his specific role in this year's cultural twist to the production!

When asked, David was hung up on which section of lights is his favorite. "There are so many parts of the Zoo Lights design that I enjoy, so picking a favorite is hard," David began. "If I had to choose, I would say the Day of the Dead section. The color combinations, the meaning behind the Ofrenda, and the way the design came to life all stand out to me."

ZOO LIGHTS: Holidays Around the World presented by Evergy runs until Dec. 31 PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://store.topekazoo.org/ #/SpecialEvents/Zoolights

Address

635 SW Gage Boulevard
Topeka, KS
66606

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17853689180

Website

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Located in the heart of Gage Park, the Topeka Zoo has been a favorite destination for kids and adults alike since the 1930s. Today, our Zoo features more than 300 animals amidst acres of native horticulture. As you enter the Zoo, your passport to adventure will take you on a journey to innovative animal exhibits – you can go on safari in Lion’s Pride … enjoy the beautiful foliage of the tropics in the Tropical Rainforest … and interact with domestic animals in the popular Children’s Zoo. This account is authorized by the City of Topeka. www.topeka.org Comments and posts are monitored, may be subject to the public records law and may be disclosed to third parties. We reserve the right to remove any posted content, including but not limited to: Content that contains obscene language Content that is sexual in nature Content that threatens or defames any person or organization Content that contains personal attacks against any person or organization Content that incites violence or references killing or harming anyone Content that promotes illegal activity Content that promotes commercial services or products Content that is off-topic, or unrelated to the specific post involved Content that is repetitive or duplicative. Content that promotes outside agencies/groups - unless approved by administrator.