No, Minnesota Zoo has an exclusive on-site event caterer who is contracted for all food & beverage services provided on the property which ensures maximum efficiency as the layout and logistics of our venue are quite unique. Popular options include our set menus, but we can be flexible in customizing a menu to your taste and budget.

During our peak season, we require a minimum spending on food & beverage, which excludes service charges, events fees, and tax. This amount is dependent on the facility rented. If this minimum is outside of your budget, we are more flexible during the off-peak season.

We do not allow any food or beverage to be brought onto the property without prior written approval from our on-site catering team. We also do not allow any food or beverage, including alcohol, to be removed from the premises by the event host, their guests, vendors, or agents due to health and safety codes and/or other restrictions.

Yes, alcohol is permitted for events held at the Minnesota Zoo. However, all beverage services will be handled by our on-site event caterer, as they hold the liquor license.

Yes, a security charge will apply for groups with 500 or more guests. If alcohol is served, an off-duty police officer will be hired by our on-site event caterer at an additional charge to the client.

If your event is during operating hours, then admission tickets are required; however, these tickets will be offered at a discounted event rate, and they will expire at the end of the calendar year.

Yes, but the fee for parking is included in your purchase of private event admission tickets for your group.

General event windows are 10:00am – 4:00pm and 6:00pm – 10:00pm; however, these can be adjusted. Adding on hours to these windows is also possible for an additional fee.

We make it easy! Your facility rental includes in-house tables, chairs, set up, and clean up. Any requests for furniture or quantities exceeding what we already own may require an additional rental fee. For all inclusions, please ask your event sales representative.

You will have a scheduled set-up window that will be determined based on the contracted event time. Alternatively, if we have no other events happening before your own, we may be able to arrange a set-up time further in advance. Please discuss options with your sales manager at the time of booking.

Because the Zoo is a unique venue, we encourage you to take advantage of the décor that is already in place. Most clients have found that keeping decorations to table-top centerpieces adds a nice touch to the event and is just enough décor. Please note that all flowers and plants must be supplied by a licensed florist or wholesaler. Flowers and plants cannot come from home gardens or farmer’s markets. All candles must be encased in glass. Live goldfish, mylar shreds, confetti, glitter, balloons, streamers, rice, birdseed, gel candles, and liquid bubbles are not allowed on Zoo grounds or in its facilities. All décor must be pre-approved by your sales manager.

Space requests and reservations are allowed up to 183 days (1.5 years), from the event date.

To confirm your event, we require 1.) a signed event agreement, and 2.) a deposit which totals 50% of your Facility Rental plus 25% of all additional event charges. When we receive both requirements, your event will be secured in our event calendar. Until both requirements are received, we reserve the right to accept other offers for the date and space(s) you are considering for your event. Please ask about our deposit schedule if booking 90-days or less from your event date.

We do allow limited outside vendors to be utilized for private events. However, you must seek approval in writing from your sales manager before hiring an outside vendor to provide a service on the Minnesota Zoo property. Without authorization, outside vendors will not be permitted onsite whether they were contracted before you selected us as your venue or not. All outside vendors must agree to our Vendor Procedures to receive approval and must also provide a Certificate of Additional Insured. Outside catering and beverage vendors will not be allowed.

We have limited A/V resources on-site depending on the room you choose. Some items may have additional charges. Please ask your event sales representative for more details.

For the safety of our animals, entertainment allowances will vary based on the facility, and music levels will be strictly monitored.

If interested in hiring outside vendors to provide lighting, please note we will allow par can lighting. However, fog or bubble machines, strobe, laser, and police lights are not permitted.

Events held during operating hours will require the purchase of an event admission ticket for your guests’ entry, so you will have access to all parts of the Zoo that are open on the date of your visit. Evening events will take place after the Zoo is closed. Therefore, the only area you and your guests will have access to is the area you have rented for the event.

As a condition of hosting your event with us, it is essential that you understand that our animal exhibits are a living collection. Animals may or may not be viewable at any given time due to changes in the animal collection, weather and season, actions to promote the health and well-being of the animals, and the animals’ choices.