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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Gladys Porter Zoo
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261009T090000
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UID:3132-1791536400-1791824400@gpz.org
SUMMARY:Upper Valley Appreciation Days
DESCRIPTION:Save Big During Gladys Porter Zoo Discount Weekends!\n \nGladys Porter Zoo shows their appreciation to the community by offering special discount admission prices for select weekends only. Guests can enjoy incredible savings off regular admission rates and step into the Zoo’s newest\, wildly immersive attractions! Wild Explorer VR Experience brings global wildlife up close\, while the canopy skywalk in El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco puts you directly beneath roaming ocelots. \nUpper Valley residents can take advantage of this discount on October 9th\, 10th\, 11th and 12th. The admission rate will be $6.00 per adult and $4.00 per child for those living in Hidalgo County\, Starr County\, Reynosa\, and Nuevo Progreso. \nTo receive the discounted rate\, guests will need to present proof of residency when purchasing their tickets at the gate. Only one person per family or group will need to provide proof of residency\, such as a driver’s license or utility bill. Visitors living outside of the United States may present a passport or other identification to satisfy this requirement. \nSince opening in 1971\, the Gladys Porter Zoo has been dedicated to the conservation and preservation of nature. The Zoo is currently home to approximately 1\,800 animals representing over 320 different species. Guest favorites include the Soaring Eagle Zipline and the feeding stations at the giraffes\, flamingos and Galapagos tortoises. \nFor more information about the Zoo and the discount weekends\, call 956-546-7187.
URL:/event/upper-valley-appreciation-days/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261024T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261024T170000
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UID:3260-1792830600-1792861200@gpz.org
SUMMARY:Free Zoo Day Sponsored by SpaceX
DESCRIPTION:SpaceX Sponsors Free Community Day at Gladys Porter Zoo\nEnjoy Autumn Weather and Explore El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco\nFree zoo admission tickets will be distributed on a first-come\, first-served basis to the first 4\,000 guests at the SpaceX tent on Saturday\, October 24.\nWith cooler fall temperatures offering the perfect backdrop for an outdoor outing\, Gladys Porter Zoo is pleased to partner with SpaceX for a Community Day on Saturday\, October 24\, 2026. \nThanks to the generous support of SpaceX\, the first 4\,000 guests to visit the SpaceX tent set up directly in front of the Zoo’s main entrance will receive free admission tickets on a first-come\, first-served basis\, while supplies last.  To ensure as many families as possible can join the fun\, tickets are limited to one per person present in line. Bulk distribution or holding passes for absent party members is not permitted. \nAlong with enjoying the refreshing fall breeze during your visit\, zoo visitors will have the opportunity to explore El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco\, a groundbreaking exhibit showcasing Mesoamerican architecture and lush habitats for primates\, ocelots\, capybaras\, prehensile-tailed porcupine and caiman. \n“We are grateful to SpaceX for their continued investment in the Gladys Porter Zoo\,” said Dr. Patrick M. Burchfield\, Zoo Director.  This Community Day will provide families across the valley the opportunity to experience world-class zoo right here in Brownsville at no cost to them\,” \nFollowing the success of similar community initiatives throughout the summer\, SpaceX representatives will be on-site throughout the morning distributing free admission passes and interacting with guests. \nEvent Highlights\n\nFree Zoo Admission: Distributed to the first 4\,000 guests at the SpaceX tent located at the Zoo entrance (first-come\, first-served; while supplies last).\nAwaken Your Inner Explorer: Experience the newly expanded El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco exhibit featuring Mesoamerican inspired architectural ruins and an overhead ocelot skywalk for an incredible up-close view of Texas’ rarest wildcats.\n\nEvent Details:\n\nDate: Saturday\, October 24\, 2026\nTicket Distribution Location: SpaceX tent directly in front of the Gladys Porter Zoo entrance\nTime: Ticket distribution begins at 8:30 a.m.\nAdmission Rules: Tickets are required for entry and will be handed out on a first-come\, first-served basis. Guests must be physically present in line to receive a ticket (limit one ticket per person present; tickets will not be given out for individuals not in attendance). Parking fees\, concessions\, and special rides/attractions (such as the Soaring Eagle Zipline) are not included with free general admission.
URL:/event/free-zoo-day-sponsored-by-spacex/
CATEGORIES:Event
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261030T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261031T210000
DTSTAMP:20261028T231704Z
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LAST-MODIFIED:20261028T231704Z
UID:2193-1793383200-1793480400@gpz.org
SUMMARY:Boo at the Zoo
DESCRIPTION:The 35th Annual Boo at the Zoo\, presented by McDonald’s\, is back and ready to deliver a ghoulish good time at this alternative way to trick-or-treat\, perfect for kids\, teens and families alike! With clear\, fully open pathways across our event grounds\, this beloved community tradition promises a smooth\, spooky\, and exciting Halloween celebration for the whole family  \nBoo at the Zoo is set for Friday\, October 30th and Saturday\, October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Become a Zoo member and you are eligible to come in early during the members’ only hour from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. \n \nThrills\, Treats\, and Games\n\nTreats & Games: Explore the Zoo grounds and find nearly 50 different treat and carnival-style game stations. (Link to Zoo map)\nNEW THIS YEAR: The debut of “Jinxed” a limited-time virtual reality horror motion-sim ride now playing at the Wild Explorer VR Experience. This immersive VR experience takes riders on a chaotic\, creepy journey through a haunted carnival\, abandoned funhouse\, and ghost train filled with eerie clowns and unexpected scares. The Jinxed VR experience will remain open to zoo visitors through November 20\, 2026.\n\nWild Explorer VR Experience Fee: The fee is $10.00 per rider and is separate from the event admission ticket.\n\n\nSoaring Eagle Zipline at Night! Experience the ultimate Halloween thrill by riding the Soaring Eagle Zipline after dark. The ride will be specially lit up\, offering a unique\, exhilarating perspective high above the nighttime Zoo.\n\nZipline Fee: The fee is $15.00 per rider and is separate from the event admission ticket.\n\n\nMermaids: The Gulf Coast Mermaids will be swimming from 5:30p.m. to 8:30 p.m.! Due to capacity\, staff will limit the number of people viewing at a time.\n\nMermaids Fee: The fee is 10 game tickets or $2.50 per person.\n\n\nFuel your family fun with a feast of tempting treats! Our Zoo concessions will be serving up classic favorites like smoky turkey legs\, cheesy nachos\, hot pizza\, and delicious corn in a cup. Plus\, cool down with refreshing sweets like popsicles and Dippin’ Dots. New this year\, don’t miss our authentic\, vibrant chamoyadas in four mouthwatering flavors: Chachamoy\, Chandia\, Chalemon\, and Chamango!\n\nClear Pathways & Smooth Strolling!\nWe are thrilled to share that event pathways for Boo at the Zoo are completely clear and construction-free! As we finalize essential infrastructure upgrades across zoo grounds\, we appreciate your ongoing support. You can enjoy a smooth\, seamless trick-or-treating route as we pave the way for exciting future projects\, including our upcoming African Savannah lion habitat and reimagined Small World. \nTickets & Admission\nTickets are available to purchase online or in-person at the Zoo ticket gate for $5.00 each.  If you purchase your ticket in advance\, look for pre-paid lines in the paid parking lot.  To expedite scanning\, have your ticket PDF open with the barcode showing on your mobile device or print out a copy of the PDF.  Event tickets are non-refundable and will not be replaced if lost or stolen. TICKETS \nZoo Member Tickets:  A perk of membership is free tickets to Boo at the Zoo.  We recommend picking up your tickets in advance to get quick access to the Members’ Only Hour that starts at 5:00 p.m.  When you arrive\, look for the members’ line in the parking lot.  If you do not have your tickets you must enter via the Membership Office (located in the parking lot). Members must present their membership card and a valid driver’s license to pick up their free tickets. \nFrequently Asked Questions\nWhere are the entrances?\nThere will be a total of three entrances to help reduce congestion: \n\nThe main Zoo ticket gate for anyone needing to purchase tickets.\nA side gate in the paid parking lot (for pre-paid admission/members with tickets).\nThe Membership Office (for members needing to pick up their free tickets).\n\nParking & Arrival\nParking is limited\, so please plan to arrive early\, carpool\, or arrange for a drop-off to ensure you can enjoy the festivities without delay.  The Mitte Cultural District is very walkable; you may consider parking a little further away and walking down the Linear Park trail instead of driving around to find a close parking spot.  There are several parking lots off of 7th and Ringgold Street and several near the Federal Courthouse Building off Harrison Street.  \nBTX Connect will also be offering free shuttle rides to and from the event on both nights. The service will be operating from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. Click here for a map of the shuttle route. (pending new link) \nDoes the Zoo provide bags for treats?\nYes\, each evening we will have trick-or-treat bags while supplies last. \nDoes the Zoo have an ATM? \nYes\, we have two ATMs: one outside the main Zoo entrance and the other outside the Zoofari Giftshop.  \nHow much are the games and food? \nGame and food tickets are $0.25 each. Most games cost one ticket\, except for the cake walk (4 tickets)\, face painting (3 tickets)\, photo booth (20 tickets)\, and Gulf Coast mermaids (10 tickets).   \nTickets are NOT required to purchase food\, but can be used as cash to pay for food items.  Cash\, credit\, and debit cards are accepted at all concession stands.  New this year\, game and food tickets will be accepted as a form of payment at the gift shop pop-up stand.   \n(PDF of game and food ticket prices) \nWhy should I become a Zoo member?\nZoo membership is the best way to attend! Members get FREE admission and skip the long lines with exclusive early access at 5:00 p.m. Buy a membership online or call the Zoo at (956) 546-7187 today for membership details! \nhttps://tickets.gpz.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=TKT&c=LM  \nCommunity Sponsors\nThis event is brought to you through the generous support of our partners: \nMcDonald’s | H-E-B Helping Here | Chick-fil-A | Brownsville Public Utilities Board  | Whataburger | City of Brownsville | Visit Brownsville | KRGV Channel 5 | Digital 101.5 | Raising Cane’s | O’Reilly Auto Parts
URL:/event/boo-at-the-zoo/
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