The event suits families with young kids, couples looking for a scenic evening walk, and anyone who prefers a slower-paced lights display over a drive-through show. Most visitors spend one to two hours walking the paved, gravel and brick paths across the garden. Tickets are sold for a specific date or as a flexible Any Night pass good for any open date in the run, and advance online purchase is recommended since in-person availability at the front desk is limited based on how many tickets have already sold online.

Stats at a Glance

• Venue: Daniel Stowe Conservancy
• City: Belmont
• State: North Carolina
• Dates: Select dates, November 28 to December 30, 2026
• Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. on open nights, final admission 9 p.m.
• Tickets: Sold by date (Value Night and general tiers) or as a flexible Any Night pass; exact 2026 prices not yet independently confirmed, check the official site
• Timed entry: Not stated
• New for 2026: Not fully detailed yet; check the official event page for updates

2026 dates and what we know

Daniel Stowe Conservancy’s official event calendar lists Holidays at the Garden 2026 running on select dates from November 28 through December 30, 2026. The run is not every single night in that window, so confirm the exact dates you want to attend on the official event calendar before buying tickets. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. on open nights, with final admission at 9 p.m., matching the format of recent seasons. Check the official event page at danielstoweconservancy.org for the full list of open dates and any closures.

The lights and displays

Holidays at the Garden is a walking-tour lights experience across Daniel Stowe Conservancy’s garden grounds, with paved, gravel and brick paths. Recent seasons have featured over a million twinkling lights, dancing fountains, interactive light installations and photo stops throughout the grounds. Expect a similar format for 2026 until the conservancy announces specific changes for the season.

Tickets, prices and member nights

Tickets for Holidays at the Garden are typically sold in tiers: a lower-priced Value Night tier for select weeknight dates, a general tier for weekend dates, and a flexible Any Night ticket usable on any open date in the run. Children under 2 are typically free, and active members usually receive a discount off ticket prices. Exact 2026 prices have not been independently confirmed as of this writing, so check the official site for current figures before buying. Tickets can be bought online in advance (recommended) or at the garden’s front desk, though in-person availability is limited based on online sales. Parking is free.

Food, drinks and extras

Recent seasons have included on-site food trucks, seasonal bars serving hot chocolate and specialty cocktails, Santa visits on select evenings, and trackless train rides on select Saturdays. Whether these add-ons return in 2026, and on which specific dates, has not been fully detailed yet; check the official event page closer to the season for confirmed extras.

Tips for your visit

Weeknight Value Night dates tend to be cheaper and less crowded than weekend dates, and arriving close to the 5 p.m. opening helps avoid the busiest window later in the evening. Plan for one to two hours to walk the garden at a relaxed pace. The paths are paved, gravel and brick and are stroller and wheelchair accessible, but dress warmly since the event is entirely outdoors and North Carolina evenings in late November and December can be cold. Parking is free. Check the official site before visiting for the exact list of open dates and any weather-related closures.

Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.

Holidays at the Garden 2026 at Daniel Stowe Conservancy FAQs

When is Holidays at the Garden 2026?

Holidays at the Garden 2026 runs on select dates from November 28 through December 30, 2026, with the garden open from 5 to 10 p.m. and final admission at 9 p.m. Not every night in that window is included, so check the official event calendar for the exact open dates.

How much are Holidays at the Garden tickets in 2026?

Tickets are typically sold in a lower-priced Value Night tier for select weeknights, a general tier for weekend dates, and a flexible Any Night pass. Exact 2026 prices have not been independently confirmed as of this writing, so check the official Daniel Stowe Conservancy site for current pricing.

Do you need to buy Holidays at the Garden tickets in advance?

Yes, advance online purchase is recommended since in-person tickets at the front desk are limited based on how many have already sold online.

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The ride sends riders down the park’s steampunk-themed track aboard motorcycle-style hover bike trains, straddling the seat and leaning forward into two separate launches. Across 2,604 feet of track, guests hit a top speed of 45 mph and experience 11 distinct airtime moments and a dramatic over-90-degree bank, all in a ride lasting about two minutes and fourteen seconds.

Stats at a Glance

• Park: Six Flags New England
• Manufacturer: Intamin
• Opened: April 17, 2026
• Height: about 59 feet
• Top speed: 45 mph
• Length: about 2,604 feet
• Inversions: 0
• Duration: about 2 minutes 14 seconds

The Ride Experience

Quantum Accelerator uses a drive-tire launch system to fire its trains forward and then backward before the full ride sequence unfolds. Riders sit two-across on steampunk-styled hover bike trains, gripping handlebars in a forward-leaning stance rather than a traditional seated position, which gives the low-to-the-ground layout a different feel from the park’s taller thrill coasters.

Each train carries 16 riders across eight cars, and the park runs two trains at once for a stated capacity of about 850 riders per hour. With no inversions, the ride instead builds its intensity through quick direction changes, sharp curves, and a steep banked turn that tilts riders onto their sides.

Replacing a Six Flags New England Icon

Quantum Accelerator occupies the footprint once held by Goliath, a Vekoma Giant Inverted Boomerang shuttle coaster that ran at Six Flags New England from 2012 until it closed in October 2019 and was demolished a couple of years later. Goliath had previously operated as Déjà Vu at Six Flags Magic Mountain before being relocated to Massachusetts. Six Flags New England first announced the new coaster on August 15, 2024, promoting it as the region’s first double-launch straddle coaster.

The project’s path to opening wasn’t smooth: an original June 2025 opening date was pushed back in July 2025, ultimately landing the ride’s debut in spring 2026. The 48-inch height minimum keeps it accessible to a wide range of park guests compared to the park’s larger inverted and launch coasters.

Explore more: Explore more roller coasters.

Quantum Accelerator FAQs

Who manufactured Quantum Accelerator?

Quantum Accelerator was built by Intamin, the Swiss manufacturer known for launch coasters, as a straddle-style family launch coaster.

How fast does Quantum Accelerator go?

The ride reaches a top speed of about 45 mph across its two launches.

What did Quantum Accelerator replace at Six Flags New England?

It took the site of Goliath, a Vekoma Giant Inverted Boomerang shuttle coaster that closed in October 2019 and was demolished a couple of years later to make room for the new ride.

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ZOOLIGHTS suits families, couples and anyone who enjoys a slow walk through lit-up gardens and animal habitats, and most visitors plan for one to two hours on site. The zoo is closed to the public on November 17 and 24, 2026, and on December 25, 2026, so it is worth checking those dates before you plan a visit. Tickets are sold online by date through the zoo’s ticketing site and prices change night to night, so booking ahead both locks in your spot and usually costs less than buying at the gate.

Stats at a Glance

• Venue: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
• City: Calgary
• State: Alberta
• Dates: November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed Nov 17, Nov 24 and Dec 25, 2026)
• Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. nightly, gates close at 9 p.m.
• Tickets: Dynamic pricing by date, roughly $17 to $23 per person online; members get a discount (see below)
• Timed entry: Not stated
• New for 2026: 30th anniversary season with a new holiday maze at Savannah Lawn

What’s new for 2026

For its 30th anniversary, ZOOLIGHTS adds a new holiday maze at Savannah Lawn, giving visitors a fresh spot to explore alongside the zoo’s claim of more than 1 million lights for the season. The zoo has not published a full list of which attractions from recent seasons are returning, so check the official calendar closer to opening night for the complete lineup of zones and activities.

The lights and displays

The zoo’s official 2026 listing points to new ways to celebrate alongside returning favourites, including the new holiday maze at Savannah Lawn, the Holiday Gardens in the ENMAX Conservatory, and a visit with Santa in his Polar Palace. Past seasons have combined illuminated animal habitats with themed areas and light tunnels, and the zoo’s marketing describes nightly interactive activities, axe throwing, festive food and animal education stops as part of the night, though it has not published a full attractions list for 2026 yet. For the most current rundown of what is open on any given night, use the zoo’s online calendar when you buy tickets.

Tickets, prices and member nights

ZOOLIGHTS tickets are sold by date on the zoo’s official ticketing site, and prices move with demand rather than staying fixed for the whole run; the online calendar has shown prices from roughly $17 on quieter nights up to about $23 on busier ones. The site tells buyers to purchase in advance for better pricing, and tickets are non-refundable once bought. Members get a price break: Wild Scout and Wild Explorer members receive 50 percent off a single ZOOLIGHTS visit, and Wild Adventurer members get two free visits plus 50 percent off any additional tickets for the cardholder. The zoo has not published a 2026 parking fee specific to ZOOLIGHTS nights on its event page, so check the listing closer to your visit.

Food, drinks and extras

The official 2026 page describes festive food and drink and interactive activities, including axe throwing, as part of ZOOLIGHTS without listing specific menu items, add-on passes or ride pricing for this season. Past years have included combo options pairing daytime zoo access with evening ZOOLIGHTS admission, so it is worth checking the ticketing site to see if a similar combo ticket is offered again in 2026.

Tips for your visit

Weekday nights and the earlier part of the run tend to be quieter than weekends and the days right before Christmas, and arriving close to the 5:30 p.m. opening gives you more time before the park fills in. Plan for one to two hours of walking outdoors, dress for Calgary’s winter cold with warm layers and waterproof boots, and keep an eye on the forecast since the event runs rain, snow or shine. Buy tickets online ahead of your date, since prices rise closer to popular nights and walk-up availability is not guaranteed.

Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.

ZOOLIGHTS 2026 at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo FAQs

When is ZOOLIGHTS 2026 at Calgary Zoo?

ZOOLIGHTS 2026 runs from November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with the zoo closed to the public on November 17, November 24 and December 25, 2026. Lights are on nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with gates closing at 9 p.m.

How much are ZOOLIGHTS tickets in 2026?

Tickets are priced by date on the zoo’s online ticketing calendar, with prices seen from about $17 on lower-demand nights up to about $23 on busier ones. Members with a Wild Scout or Wild Explorer membership get 50 percent off a single visit, and Wild Adventurer members get two free visits plus 50 percent off extra tickets.

Do you need to buy ZOOLIGHTS tickets in advance?

The zoo does not state a timed entry requirement for ZOOLIGHTS, but it encourages buying tickets online ahead of your visit date since prices rise for busier nights and tickets are non-refundable once purchased.

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Here are today’s 3 verified theme park & live event stories, covering Theme Parks & Roller Coasters, Stadiums & Arenas and Live Music & Venues.

Every item below links to its original source.

The TLDR

• Theme Parks & Roller Coasters: Magic Kingdom Opening-Day Pianist Randy Morris Has Died
• Stadiums & Arenas: Lamar Jackson Contract Standoff Looms as Ravens Tread Water
• Live Music & Venues: Olivia Rodrigo Returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200

Theme Parks & Roller Coasters

Magic Kingdom Opening-Day Pianist Randy Morris Has Died

Randy Morris, the ragtime pianist who entertained guests at Magic Kingdom’s Casey’s Corner starting with Walt Disney World’s opening day on October 1, 1971, died on October 25, 2026, WDWNT reports. Morris began performing for Disney in 1970 and, beyond Casey’s Corner, played with the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and the Riverboat Rascals; he returned to Casey’s Corner in October 2021 to mark Magic Kingdom’s 50th anniversary by playing the same piece he had performed there 50 years earlier.

Stadiums & Arenas

Lamar Jackson Contract Standoff Looms as Ravens Tread Water

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed his third consecutive game on October 25 because of the ankle injury he suffered against the Titans on October 4, and Baltimore fell to 4-3 after a 35-13 loss to the Bengals, Front Office Sports reports. Jackson, who negotiates his own contracts, is in the fourth year of the five-year, $260 million deal he signed in 2023, which now ranks just 12th among NFL quarterbacks in average annual value — fueling speculation about a future extension.

Live Music & Venues

Olivia Rodrigo Returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200

Olivia Rodrigo’s album “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” has returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, according to Billboard, with Zach Bryan’s new EP “Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs” debuting at No. 2 in the same week.

Explore more: Batgirl Coaster Chase, Boomerang: Coast to Coaster.

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What began as a one-off outdoor novelty quickly became a holiday fixture, with the NHL relocating the game each year to a different iconic stadium across the United States. Seventeen Winter Classics have been played through January 2026, interrupted only by the 2013 lockout and the 2021 COVID-19 pandemic, cementing the event as one of the league’s biggest annual spectacles.

Stats at a Glance

• First Played: January 1, 2008 (Sabres vs. Penguins, Orchard Park, NY)
• Editions Held: 17 (through January 2026)
• Attendance Record: about 105,491 (2014, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor)
• Typical Venues: Outdoor MLB and NFL stadiums across the U.S.
• Cancellations: 2013 (NHL lockout), 2021 (COVID-19 pandemic)
• Current Broadcaster: TNT (since 2022)
• Most Recent Game: January 2, 2026 — Rangers 5, Panthers 1 (loanDepot Park, Miami)

From a Buffalo Snowstorm to a Nationwide Tradition

The inaugural 2008 Winter Classic was played in a steady snowfall at Ralph Wilson Stadium, an image that became the event’s signature look. The NHL leaned into that atmosphere, scheduling future games at historic baseball parks like Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Citizens Bank Park, as well as football stadiums sitting empty during the NFL offseason, giving each edition a distinct regional backdrop.

Chasing Record Crowds

The game’s biggest attendance moment came on January 1, 2014, when the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Detroit Red Wings 3–2 in a shootout at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, drawing an NHL-record 105,491 paid fans. The 2024 edition at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park also marked the first Winter Classic held at a retractable-roof venue, showing how the league keeps finding new settings for its outdoor showcase.

Explore more: Discover more seasonal sports events.

NHL Winter Classic FAQs

What is the NHL Winter Classic?

It’s an annual outdoor NHL regular-season game played on or around New Year’s Day, first held on January 1, 2008, between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.

What is the attendance record for the Winter Classic?

The record is about 105,491 fans, set on January 1, 2014, when the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Detroit Red Wings at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

Has the Winter Classic ever been cancelled?

Yes, it was cancelled twice: in 2013 due to the NHL lockout and in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Nearly a century later, Peden Stadium remains the home of Ohio Bobcats football and stands as the oldest college football venue in the Mid-American Conference. A series of renovations, from added grandstands in 1986 to a lowered playing surface and expanded seating in 2001, grew capacity to roughly 24,000 while keeping the stadium’s old-school charm intact.

Stats at a Glance

• Team(s): Ohio Bobcats (NCAA Division I FBS)
• Location: Athens, Ohio
• Opened: October 5, 1929
• Capacity: About 24,000
• Surface: FieldTurf
• Notable Fact: Oldest college football venue in the Mid-American Conference

A Century of Bobcats Football

When it opened in 1929, the venue was known simply as Ohio Stadium. It was renamed Peden Stadium in 1946 in honor of Don C. Peden, who coached the Bobcats for decades, and in 2022 the playing field itself was named Frank Solich Field after the program’s winningest MAC-era coach.

The stadium has grown gradually rather than all at once. Grandstand additions in 1986 pushed capacity toward 19,000, a five-story press tower followed in 1990, and a 2001 project removed the old track and lowered the field to bring fans closer to the action while raising capacity to about 24,000.

Game Day in Athens

Peden Stadium’s long history gives it an intimate, old-school atmosphere that’s rare among FBS venues. The surrounding Richland Avenue campus setting, combined with the stadium’s age and design pedigree, makes it a favorite among college football traditionalists touring MAC country.

The stadium set a new attendance record on September 6, 2025, when 26,740 fans packed in to watch Ohio defeat West Virginia 17-10, showing the venue can still draw a crowd well beyond its official seating capacity.

Explore more: Explore more iconic stadiums.

Peden Stadium FAQs

When did Peden Stadium open?

Peden Stadium opened on October 5, 1929, originally under the name Ohio Stadium.

What is the capacity of Peden Stadium?

Peden Stadium seats about 24,000 fans, with standing room pushing capacity higher on big game days.

Why is it called Peden Stadium?

The stadium was renamed in 1946 to honor Don C. Peden, a longtime Ohio University football coach.

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Today the stadium seats about 50,500 fans, a capacity reached through a 2018 renovation that replaced most of the old bleacher sections with individual seating. Despite decades of expansion, from an original 24,000 seats to a peak of nearly 63,000 in the 2010s, Kenan Stadium is still regularly cited as one of the most scenic settings in college football thanks to the Carolina pines that frame its upper rim.

Stats at a Glance

• Team: North Carolina Tar Heels (NCAA, ACC)
• Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Opened: November 12, 1927
• Capacity: About 50,500
• Original capacity: About 24,000 (1927)
• Peak capacity: About 62,980 (2011-2016)
• Notable feature: Fully enclosed in 2011 with the addition of the Blue Zone premium seating section

A Stadium Built Into the Pines

Rather than clearing the landscape, the original builders sank the playing field into a natural pine grove and used the surrounding slopes to support the stands, a design choice that gave Kenan Stadium its lasting reputation as one of the prettiest venues in the sport. University planners have kept that priority in mind through every later expansion, limiting how much of the tree line could be removed even as capacity grew.

The playing surface itself has changed more than the setting. Kenan Stadium used natural grass from its 1927 opening until 2019, switched to synthetic turf for several seasons, and returned to a natural grass field with a synthetic perimeter starting in 2025.

Decades of Expansion

Kenan Stadium grew steadily from its original 24,000 seats, eventually topping out near 63,000 in the early 2010s after a major renovation fully enclosed the bowl for the first time and added the Blue Zone, an east end-zone structure with club and suite seating. A later renovation in 2018 traded a large block of general bleacher seating for individual chairback seats, bringing listed capacity down to its current figure near 50,500 while improving the fan experience.

The stadium’s name itself has a documented history: originally dedicated as Kenan Memorial Stadium in honor of William Rand Kenan Sr. and his wife, UNC removed the dedication plaque and shortened the name to Kenan Stadium in 2018 after historians detailed the elder Kenan’s involvement in white supremacist violence.

Explore more: Explore more iconic stadiums.

Kenan Stadium FAQs

When did Kenan Stadium open?

Kenan Stadium hosted its first game on November 12, 1927, a win over Davidson, with an official dedication game against Virginia later that month on November 24, 1927.

What is the capacity of Kenan Stadium?

Kenan Stadium currently seats about 50,500 fans, down from a peak of nearly 63,000 after a 2018 renovation converted bleacher sections to individual seats.

Who paid for Kenan Stadium?

UNC alumnus William R. Kenan Jr. donated $275,000 toward construction in 1926, and the stadium was originally dedicated in memory of his parents before being renamed simply Kenan Stadium in 2018.

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Designed by Populous and Marshall Moya Design and built by Turner Construction, the 20,000-seat stadium sits close to the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and was funded through a public-private partnership between the District of Columbia and D.C. United’s ownership group. Since opening, it has also become home turf for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL and has hosted marquee events including the 2022 NWSL Championship and the 2023 MLS All-Star Game.

Stats at a Glance

• Team(s): D.C. United (MLS), Washington Spirit (NWSL)
• Location: Buzzard Point, Washington, D.C.
• Opened: July 14, 2018
• Capacity: About 20,000
• Architect: Populous and Marshall Moya Design
• Surface: Bermuda grass, 115 x 75 yards
• Notable fact: Hosted the 2022 NWSL Championship, the first played in primetime

The Game-Day Experience

Audi Field was built as a soccer-specific venue, with steep seating bowls and supporter sections designed to keep crowd noise close to the pitch. The stadium’s open design along the Anacostia riverfront gives fans skyline views of the District while keeping sightlines tight for a sport that benefits from compact stadium geometry.

The venue regularly draws sellout or near-sellout crowds for D.C. United and Washington Spirit matches, and its supporter culture carried over directly from RFK Stadium, where the club’s fan base had built a reputation as one of MLS’s loudest.

A Decade in the Making

Before Audi Field opened, D.C. United spent years pursuing stadium deals that fell through in Poplar Point, Prince George’s County, Baltimore, and Loudoun County, Virginia. The eventual Buzzard Point site was secured through a land-swap and financing agreement with the District government, ending one of MLS’s longest-running stadium sagas.

Since opening, the stadium has expanded its role beyond MLS, hosting NWSL and USL matches, the DC Defenders of the UFL, and international friendlies, cementing Buzzard Point as a year-round home for soccer and football in the capital.

Explore more: Explore more iconic stadiums.

Audi Field FAQs

What teams play at Audi Field?

Audi Field is the home venue of D.C. United (MLS), the Washington Spirit (NWSL), and has also hosted DC Power FC and the DC Defenders.

When did Audi Field open?

Audi Field held its ribbon-cutting on July 9, 2018, with D.C. United’s first official match there on July 14, 2018.

How many people can Audi Field hold?

Audi Field has a capacity of about 20,000, with the 2023 MLS All-Star Game setting the stadium’s attendance record.

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Spread across about 20 acres, the zoo is home to over 90 species of mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and arachnids. Signature exhibits like A Step Into Africa, Cold Asia, and Animals of the Savanna have reshaped the zoo over the past decade, while longtime favorites like the polar bear habitat, funded in the 1970s in part by pennies collected by local schoolchildren, keep the zoo’s community roots visible.

Stats at a Glance

• Location: Rochester, New York
• Opened: 1894
• Size: About 20 acres
• Species: Over 90
• Annual Visitors: About 335,000
• Famous for: First African bush elephants in New York State

What to See at the Zoo

Seneca Park Zoo’s exhibits are organized around distinct global regions. A Step Into Africa and the newer Animals of the Savanna area showcase the zoo’s African bush elephants, among the first ever kept in New York State, alongside other savanna species. Cold Asia brings cold-climate animals into a northern-themed habitat, while Rocky Coasts focuses on polar and coastal wildlife, including the zoo’s well-known polar bears.

The Genesee Trail winds along the park’s dramatic gorge setting overlooking the Genesee River, giving the zoo one of the more scenic backdrops of any zoo in the Northeast. Because the zoo sits within the larger Seneca Park, a Frederick Law Olmsted design, visitors often combine a zoo visit with a walk through the surrounding parkland.

Hours and Visiting Tips

Seneca Park Zoo typically runs on a seasonal schedule: spring and summer hours (late March through October) generally run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, while fall and winter hours shift to roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last admission about an hour before closing. Zoo members are usually admitted earlier, around 9:30 a.m. Because hours shift with the seasons, checking the official zoo website before a visit is recommended.

Admission is tiered for adults, seniors, and youth, with children under 3 admitted free, and discounted online tickets and group or membership programs available. Much of the zoo’s growth has come through community support: the original 1975 polar bear exhibit was funded in part by pennies and nickels collected by Rochester-area schoolchildren, and the zoo has pursued a multi-phase Master Plan since 2018 to modernize habitats and expand conservation programming.

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Seneca Park Zoo FAQs

When did Seneca Park Zoo open?

Seneca Park Zoo opened in 1894 in Rochester, New York.

What are Seneca Park Zoo’s hours?

The zoo generally operates 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in spring and summer and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in fall and winter, with last admission about an hour before closing; exact hours can shift seasonally, so checking the zoo’s official site before visiting is a good idea.

How big is Seneca Park Zoo?

The zoo covers about 20 acres within the larger Seneca Park along the Genesee River and is home to over 90 species of animals.

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The land itself has a longer history than the zoo, having been donated to the Decatur Park District in 1947 by Guy Norman and Rose Scovill. Today the zoo draws visitors from hundreds of zip codes across central Illinois, pairing a classic small-city zoo feel with modern conservation programming and family-friendly rides.

Stats at a Glance

• Location: Decatur, Illinois
• Opened: 1967
• Size: About 15 acres of exhibits within 62-acre Scovill Park
• Species: About 96 species
• Animal count: Roughly 400-500 animals
• Annual visitors: About 100,000
• Famous for: AZA accreditation and the Z.O. & O. Express Train

What to See at the Zoo

Scovill Zoo’s exhibits include cheetahs, gray wolves, zebras, and alligators alongside the farm animals that trace back to the zoo’s earliest days as Scovill Farm. The zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since September 2006, a distinction held by roughly 210 facilities nationwide, and it has since passed additional AZA inspections to maintain that status.

Two attractions set Scovill apart from a typical regional zoo. The Z.O. & O. Express Train, added in 1984 and modeled after an 1863 C.P. Huntington steam locomotive, carries riders on a one-mile guided loop through the grounds. The Endangered Species Carousel features 30 hand-carved wooden animals representing threatened and endangered species, giving younger visitors a hands-on way to learn about conservation.

Hours and Tickets

Scovill Zoo runs on a seasonal schedule, typically opening in early April and closing for the winter in October. During the season, hours generally run around 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, though exact times shift around opening weekend and the fall closing date, so checking the Decatur Park District’s site before a visit is worthwhile.

Admission is priced modestly for adults, seniors, and children ages 2-12, with children under 2 admitted free. The zoo has also offered free-admission days on select Mondays and Thursdays during the season in past years. Because rates and promotional days can change annually, visitors should confirm current pricing directly with the Decatur Park District ahead of a trip.

Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.

Scovill Zoo FAQs

When did Scovill Zoo open?

Scovill Zoo opened to the public in 1967, originally as a farm-style attraction called Scovill Farm before expanding into a full zoo.

Is Scovill Zoo accredited?

Yes. Scovill Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since September 2006 and has passed subsequent re-accreditation inspections.

Is Scovill Zoo open year-round?

No. Scovill Zoo operates on a seasonal schedule, typically open from early April through October, and is closed to the public during the winter months.

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