Gladys Porter Zoo

Ridley Rush
2026-06-06 07:00 - 12:00 UTC
You are invited to join us for our 10th Annual Ridley Rush 5K/1-Mile Walk/Run presented by Chick-Fil-A. This family fun run aims to raise awareness for the endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle. The Ridley Rush route will take you through the beautiful and scenic Mitte Cultural District and Gladys Porter Zoo as you experience what a baby sea turtle must endure in its rush to the ocean.
As federal and state funds have dwindled over the years, this direct funding has become mission-critical to sustain Kemp’s Ridley Project and provide support to other sea turtle projects. The Kemp’s Ridley Project has both a successful track record and the real possibility of down-listing this most iconic of marine animals. Other proven sea turtle projects may receive funding to promote conservation efforts.
The cost to participate in the 5K run is only $35.00 and $30.00 for the 1-mile run per runner. This cost covers a limited edition dri-fit Ridley Rush shirt, a race bib, a race medal, and the entrance to the Zoo for the post-race festival celebrating World Oceans Day!
REGISTRATION
A special thanks go out to this year’s Ridley Rush sponsors, Chick-Fil-A, H-E-B Helping Here, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, CBS 4, NBC 23, Visit Brownsville, and City of Brownsville.

Brew at the Zoo
2026-05-16 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
Brew at the Zoo 2026
The Ultimate Wildlife Conservation Fundraiser
Presented by Whataburger
Join Gladys Porter Zoo and presenting sponsor Whataburger for the 12th Annual Brew at the Zoo in Brownsville, Texas! This 21+ event combines craft beer, local flavors, and high-energy entertainment to support vital wildlife conservation efforts.

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Live music continues until 11:00 p.m.)
Location: Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas

Experience the Feast with the Beasts
Sample a curated selection of 24 premium and craft beers from L&F Distributors while 24 of the Rio Grande Valley’s best restaurants compete for the People’s Choice Award. We are incredibly grateful to these partners for donating their time and delicious food to support wildlife conservation:

BBQ & Comfort Favorites: Texas Roadhouse, Reyna’s BBQ & Cocina, Barnyard Burgers, and Black Bear Diner.
International Flavors: Mod Dang Thai, Teriyaki Madness, Jolie Petite, and Ramses Tacos & Tequila.
Pub Grub & Wings: Brewskies Pub & Eatery, Hooters, Buffalo Wild Wings to Go, Wing Barn, and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux.
Tacos & Coastal Eats: Taqueria la Bravo, Chef Ricardo’s Tacos and Beer, and El Amigo Seafood.
Quick Bites & Fast Casual: Dave’s Hot Chicken, Wienerschnitzel, Applebee’s, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, H-E-B Flaming Bird, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
Special Guest: 2025 People’s Choice Award Winner: Yo Momma’s Cookin’!

Refreshment Station
In addition to our curated craft beer selection, upgrade your aesthetic with these must try specialties:

Whataburger “Whatafreshers”: Try the Southwest-inspired Prickly Pear Raspberry or the Strawberry Hibiscus with real fruit inclusions.
Los Trevi Drive-Thru: Authentic Estrella Jalisco micheladas from the iconic Michelada Combi.

High-Energy Entertainment Zones

Sound & Stages: Live sets from Back to Riverdale, The Reynalds, and Reserve, plus an EDM dance party with DJ Akasha.
The Spectacle: Catch the Reinas de Saba fire dancing sets in the Amphitheater.
The Social Yard: Friendly competition featuring an H-E-B Beer Pong Tournament, karaoke, and viral tabletop games like What Do You Meme.
The Thrill Zone: Axe throwing, a mechanical bull, and the Soaring Eagle Zipline ($15.00 fee for General Admission).
Digital Memories Zone: Capture the night at five curated selfie stations or our 360-degree photo booth.

Ticket Information
Brew at the Zoo is a 21+ event. Tickets sell out quickly—secure yours early!

Pre-sale Tickets: $40.00
At the Gate: $60.00 (if available)
VIP Experience ($100.00): Limited to 100 guests. Includes fast-pass access to all lines, private stage-side seating, an animal feeding session, and a complimentary zipline ride.

PRESALE TICKETS
VIP TICKETS
Our Sponsors
This event is made possible by Whataburger, the City of Brownsville, Visit Brownsville, L&F Distributors, H-E-B, SpaceX, and the Brownsville Public Utilities Board.
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Animal Play Day “Mother’s Day… M.O.M.”
2026-05-10 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Join us for a Mother’s Day themed Animal Play Day at the Orangutan Palapa. Participate in fun educational activities and coloring from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Orangutan Palapa. Our mother and daughter orangutan pair will be also receiving enrichment from their keepers at the following times:
11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Orangutans are facing a crisis in the wild due to the loss of their rain forest home to make space for palm oil plantations. The cutting down and burning of the rain forest for these plantations leaves many orangutans homeless and/or orphaned. This event is free with the purchase of general admission or Zoo membership. We will be accepting donations for the Missing Orangutan Mothers campaign.

Brownsville Appreciation Weekend
2026-05-08 - 2026-05-10
Gladys Porter Zoo Celebrates “Brownsville Appreciation Weekend” to Honor Vital City Partnership
From the modernization of essential water and wastewater infrastructure to the visionary investment in the Zoo’s Master Plan, the City of Brownsville has been an indispensable partner in the Gladys Porter Zoo’s forward momentum. As a heartfelt thank you for this steadfast support and the City’s commitment to the Zoo’s comprehensive redevelopment, the Zoo is proud to host Brownsville Appreciation Weekend on May 8th, 9th, and 10th.
“The progress we are seeing today, including the revitalization of our existing habitats and the critical infrastructure grants that keep our gates open, is a direct result of our partnership with the City of Brownsville,” says Zoo Director Dr. Patrick M. Burchfield. “This weekend, we invite the community to see how their support is improving the Gladys Porter Zoo.”
During this exclusive three-day event, Brownsville residents are invited to explore the Zoo for a special discounted rate:

Admission Price: $4.00 per person for both adults and children.
Eligibility: Exclusive to residents of Brownsville.
Requirements: Guests must present proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill, at the gate; only one person per group is required to show proof.

Residents can experience the thrill of the Soaring Eagle Zipline, which served as the pivotal first step in the Zoo’s master plan and takes guests 120 feet into the air for a bird’s-eye view of the park. Visitors can also look forward to the upcoming grand opening of El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco Phase II in August 2026. In the meantime, guests can discover new additions like the guira cuckoo in the Tropical American aviary and a new reticulated python in the herpetarium. A number of newborn babies are currently on display for visitors to observe, such as black and white ruffed lemurs that are so adorable.
As an added celebration, the Zoo will host a Mother’s Day themed Animal Play Day on Sunday, May 10th.
For those who cannot make it this weekend, another opportunity for regional discounts will be available later this fall. For more information, please contact the Marketing Department at (956) 546-7187

Party For the Planet
2026-04-18 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 E Ringgold St,, BROWNSVILLE, TX, 78520, United States
Party for the Planet: Zoo Celebrates Earth Day!
The Gladys Porter Zoo will be celebrating Earth Day with their annual event, Party for the Planet, presented by Chick-Fil-A on Saturday, April 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be various games and activities throughout the Zoo grounds for guests to enjoy and learn about the many ways they can help preserve the planet.
Kids can make their seed bombs to toss in their backyard or play a recycling relay race, to name a few activities. Local beekeepers, gardeners, and other eco-exhibitors will also be on-site to educate the public about various ways to help native wildlife, especially pollinators.
“The Gladys Porter Zoo is excited to celebrate Earth Day by hosting Party for the Planet. At this event, our goal is to teach the public about the importance of conserving the Earth and the many ways they can do it while having fun with the entire family,” said Cynthia Garza-Galvan, Marketing Director.
Another great component of this event is that Girl Scouts will be able to accomplish 90 to 100 percent of the requirements to earn a badge.

It will be a fun and exciting experience for the whole family to enjoy!
Thank you to our sponsors Chick-Fil-A, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, City of Brownsville, and Visit Brownsville.
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Bunny Corral & Easter Animal Playday
2026-04-04 10:00 - 2026-04-05 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Easter Fun at the Gladys Porter Zoo
During Easter weekend, hop on over to the Gladys Porter Zoo! From April 4th & 5th, visitors can enjoy the annual Bunny Corral and Animal Play Day.
Guests can visit the Bunny Corral, which will be across from Small World! Zoo staff will set up a cozy corral These adorable bunnies will be available to pet on April 4th & 5th from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Docents and Zoo staff will be at hand to answer any questions about these furry creatures.
Zookeepers will be conducting an Animal Play Day on April 5th. Please join the Zoo as we celebrate Easter with treats and gifts for our animals. During the day, keepers will be distributing Easter-themed enrichment items to animals, large and small, throughout the Zoo.
Animal Play Days are scheduled events where Zoo animals are given an enrichment item that has a specific theme. Animal enrichment provides novel food and play items to stimulate and entertain Zoo inhabitants. It is performed daily at the Zoo and is a vital component essential to the health and well-being of the animals.
Thank you to the run sponsors City of Brownsville, and Visit Brownsville. Hope to see you there in your best bunny attire!
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.
All activities are free to visitors with paid regular admission or Zoo membership. For more information, call the Gladys Porter Zoo at (956) 546-7187.

Ocelot Run 5K / 1 Mile
2026-03-07 07:30 - 10:00 (America/Chicago)
The Gladys Porter Zoo, presented by Chick-Fil-A is back with its annual 5K and 1-mile fun run to support ocelot conservation. The Ocelot 5K Run will take place on March 7th starting at 7:30 a.m., and the 1-mile fun run will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Gladys Porter Zoo. The run will begin in the Zoo’s parking lot.
The 5K route will take guests through some of the most popular areas around the Mitte Cultural District before leading them into the scenic Gladys Porter Zoo for the final stretch. The 1-mile route will take guests through a fun and colorful run around the Zoo.
The 5K run will be timed. Although all participants will receive a medal at the finish line, additional distinctive medals will be awarded to the top three runners of each age group and the top three overall males and females. Runners will receive a timing chip, which will accurately record each runner’s time. A link will be provided on the Zoo’s website to access the results, certificate, and digital photo finish.
The cost to participate in the 5K run is only $35.00 and $30.00 for the 1-mile run per runner. This cost covers the entrance to the Zoo, a limited edition dri-fit ocelot shirt, a race bib, and a race medal. Runners of all ages are encouraged to participate in ocelot attire or costumes. Registration for the Ocelot Run is open.
Packet Pick-up
Packet pick-up will be in the Meadows Room at the Gladys Porter Zoo.
Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and their efforts towards ocelot conservation. Thank you to the run sponsors Chick-Fil-A, H-E-B Helping Here, BPUB, City of Brownsville, Valley Central and Visit Brownsville. Hope to see you there in your best ocelot attire!
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Jr. Zookeeper Camp
2026-02-16 08:00 - 2026-02-20 16:00 (America/Chicago)
This Spring Break, your child can join the few, the proud, and the hard-working zookeepers at the Gladys Porter Zoo! Find out what it takes to take care of wild animals and help with some of the daily chores at the Zoo.

The camp ends with a Starlight Safari Sleepover where kids can spend the night at the Zoo and learn about nocturnal animals.

Jr. Zookeeper Camp-March 16th -20th (Mon – Fri) – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Starlight Safari Sleepover-March 21st (Sat) – 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Children must be 7 years or older to participate.

To register or for more information, call or email the Education Department at (956) 548-WILD (9453) or educ@gpz.org.

Winter Texan Discount Day
2026-02-04 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Winter Texan Discount Day is a day set aside each year to celebrate and honor Winter Texans. On this day alone, out-of-state residents can visit the Gladys Porter Zoo for the low price of only $8.00.
At this event, the Zoo offers free activities with paid admission or membership, entertainment, refreshments, and door prizes. Booths will be set up in the special events building with information on different places to visit in Brownsville and the rest of the Rio Grande Valley. It is a day full of fun and a perfect time for visiting residents to enjoy the Valley’s very own oasis.
Thank you to the run sponsors City of Brownsville, and Visit Brownsville.
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.
