Bears, Beverages and No Kids Allowed at Minnesota Zoo’s Popular ‘Wild Nights’

Sure, loading up the whole family for a day at the Minnesota Zoo is a great way to spend some quality time making memories together, but have you ever been to the zoo when it essentially converts into a giant adults-only festival with live local music, food, drinks, PLUS the same access to all of the animals?

Tigers, and drinks, and music.. oh my! Sounds pretty fun to me!

That's exactly what happens five Friday nights this summer when the Minnesota Zoo hosts their adults-only 'Wild Nights'

What Are 'Wild Nights' at the Minnesota Zoo?

A 'Wild Night' at the Minnesota Zoo is probably the best new way to experience the zoo as an adult. Who doesn't want to party with the penguins, rave with a rhinoceros, and unwind with the wolves?

From 5 pm to 10 pm, the zoo transforms into a festival-like atmosphere with two stages for live music.

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Different artisan vendors and local food and bar stations will be set up throughout the zoo with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options to enjoy with full access to all animal trails and habitats.

When Are the Adults-Only 'Wild Nights' at the Minnesota Zoo?

Wild Nights at the Zoo are on the following Fridays this summer:

June 14 -- Wild Nights Kickoff Blockparty
Music: PopROCKS, High & Mighty

June 28 -- Minnesota Rockin' Blues & Roots Music
Music: Church of Cash, Chastity Brown

RELATED: The Minnesota Zoo Warns Customers Of New Ticket Scam

July 12 -- Country Music Night at the Zoo
Music: Caitlyn Smith, World According to Garth

July 26 -- A Wild Night of Rock N’ Roll
Music: Kiss the Tiger, The MallRats

August 9 -- Music Theme: Hip-Hop & Funk at the Zoo
Music: Nur-D, Chase & Ovation: A Salute to the Music of Prince

You must buy your tickets for Minnesota Zoo Wild Nights in advance. They are $30 for zoo members and $40 for non-members. More details and buy tickets here.

More Adults-Only Nights at the Minnesota Zoo

Minnesota Zoo After Hours

Each month on a Saturday, from January – May 2024, the Minnesota Zoo extends its hours for adults only (18+ exclusively) from 6p to 9 pm. Pre-order tickets are $10 for zoo members and $20 for non-members (+$5 day of event)

There is one more regular adults-only night at the Minnesota Zoo in 2024 on Saturday, April 20 with a "Spring Into Spring" theme.

Zoo After Hours - Bears and Brews - May 11th and 6th

This is a special Zoo After Hours for adults 21+ for a spring evening among the animals and drink sampling from more than 20 breweries and other beverage companies. All the Zoo trails – including the Treetop Trail – are open until 8:30 p.m.

Pre-order tickets are $20 for zoo members and $25 for non-members (+$5 day of event)

These adults-only zoo after-hours events would make the perfect date night. And for more great date night ideas, keep scrolling to see a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Minnesota