Conservation Rocks at the Minnesota Zoo!
Wild Nights are back! This summer grab your crew to experience an evening that's sure to show you conservation rocks! Explore and enjoy an evening filled with live local music, artisan vendors, food, drink, and access to your favorite trails and habitats.
Wild Nights is an 18+ festival series, taking place every other Thursday from May 25 - September 14. We can't wait to see you there!
Treetop Trail will be open until 9:30pm!
Event Information
• 6 –10 pm
• Live music on three stages
• Access to all animal trails and exhibits until 8 pm (outdoor animal habitats will close at 7:30 pm on 8/31 and 7 pm on 9/14)
• Virtual trivia & scavenger hunt
• Local food, beverage, and artisan vendors
• Silent dance party
• Free parking
Want to purchase more than 15 tickets or ticket packages? We’re here to help with group sales! Contact [email protected] or call 952.431.9585 for personal assistance in making group ticket purchases.
Pricing subject to change.
Thursday, May 25 — Music Theme: Indie Rock
Yam Haus – 8:15 pm (Amphitheater stage)
Kiss the Tiger – 6:45 pm (Amphitheater stage)
DJ Astrolex – 6:00 – 6:45 pm // 7:45 – 8:15 pm (Amphitheater stage)
Gully Boys – 8:30 pm (Crossroads stage)
The Swongos – 7 pm (Crossroads stage)
DJ Matty Matt – 6 – 10 pm (Lakeside Terrace)
Thursday, June 8 — Music Theme: Global Beats & World Music
Malamanya - 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Amphitheatre
The Gentlemen's Anti-Temperance League 7:30PM to 8:30PM, Lakeside Terrace
Siama's Congo Roots 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Crossroads
Pan Dimensions Steel Drum Band 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Amphitheatre
Maria Isa 8:30PM to 9:30PM, Crossroads
Djwilliam El Buenon 6:00PM to 7:30PM, Lakeside Terrace
Thursday, June 22 — Music Theme: Indie Soul & Rhythm & Blues
Chastity Brown 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Amphitheatre
FènixDion 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Amphitheatre
DJ Astrolex 6:00PM to 6:30PM // 8:00PM to 8:30PM, Amphitheatre Host
The Jorgensens 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Crossroads
Kelly Kidd & Britton Buchanan 8:30PM to 10:00PM, Crossroads
Dueling Pianos 6:00PM to 10:00PM, Lakeside Terrace
Thursday, July 6 — Music Theme: Americana & Alt Country
The Cactus Blossoms 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Amphitheatre
Barbaro 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Amphitheatre
Chicken Wire Empire 8:30PM to 10:00PM, Crossroad
JoJo Green 6:30PM to 8:00PM, Crossroads
Turn Turn Turn 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Lakeside Terrace
Trapper Schoepp 6:15PM to 8:00PM, Lakeside Terrace
Presenting Sponsor:
Thursday, July 20 — Music Theme: Blues, Soul & Jazz
Joyann Parker Band 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Amphitheatre
Corey Medina & Brothers Band 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Amphitheatre
Hurricane Harold & TC Blues All Stars featuring Erin McCawley 8:30PM to 9:30PM, Crossroads
The Paul Renz Trio/Lessmeister Jazz Combo 6:30PM to 8:00PM, Crossroads Performer
Aces & 88’s Dueling Pianos 6:00PM to 10:00PM, Lakeside Terrace Performer
Presenting Sponsor:
Thursday, August 3 — Music Theme: Hip Hop & Reggae
Nur-D 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Amphitheatre
Fanaka Nation 6:30PM to 8:00PM, Amphitheatre
DJ Astrolex 6:00PM to 6:30PM // 8PM to 8:30PM, Amphitheatre Host
iLLism 8:30PM to 9:30PM, Crossroads
Ka Lia Universe 7:15PM to 8:30PM, Crossroads
Pelly 6:30 PM to 7:15PM, Crossroads
Dred I Dread 7:30PM to 9:30PM, Lakeside Terrace
DJ Virgo 6:00PM to 7:30PM // 9:30PM to 10PM, Lakeside Terrace Host
Daniel the Violinist 6:00-7:30 / 8:30-9:30, Treetop Trail
Thursday, August 17 — Music Theme: 80s, 90s & New Wave
Information Society 8:30PM to 9:30PM, Amphitheatre
DJ Jake Rudh 6:30PM to 8:30PM, Amphitheatre
Mallrats 90’s 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Crossroads
DJ Shane Kramer 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Crossroads
Polka Police 6:00PM to 10:00PM, Lakeside Terrace
Indecent Proposal 6:00-7:30, Treetop Trail, 9:00-10:00, Lakeside Terrace
Presenting Sponsor:
On Thursday, August 17th from 6-8pm, we’ll be hosting an Open House for all of you Educators attending Wild Nights that evening! We’ll have Zoo staff ready to answer your programming questions, examples of class activities, and the opportunity to explore some of our classrooms. Visit us near the Guest Services desk for more information – we hope to see you there!
Thursday, August 31 — Music Theme: Funky Jam & Boogie
Frogleg 8:15PM to 9:45PM, Amphitheatre
Mae Simpson 6:45PM to 7:45pm, Amphitheatre
DJ Astrolex 6:00PM to 6:45PM // 8:00PM to 8:30PM, Amphitheatre Host
Ellis Cleve 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Crossroads
Samantha Grimes with Nancy Bongos Long 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Crossroads
Patchouli 7:00PM to 8PM // 8:30PM to 9:30PM, Lakeside Terrace
Djwilliam El Buenon 6:00PM to 7PM // 8PM to 8:30PM // 9:30PM to
10:00PM, Lakeside Terrace Host
Daniel the Violinist 6:00-7:30 / 8:30-9:30, Treetop Trail
Amphitheater Stage Sponsor:
Thursday, September 14 — Music Theme: MASH UP
Kat Perkins 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Amphitheatre
Chris Kroeze 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Amphitheatre
DJ Astrolex 6:00PM to 6:45PM / 8:00PM to 8:30PM, Amphitheatre
The High 48s 8:30PM to 9:45PM, Crossroads
The Roe Family Singers & Friends Jamboree 6:45PM to 8:00PM, Crossroads
Steam Machine 7:00PM to 8PM // 8:30PM to 9:30PM, Lakeside Terrace
Djwilliam El Buenon 6:00PM to 7:00PM // 8:00PM to 8:30PM // 9:30PM to 10:00PM, Lakeside Terrace Host
Daniel the Violinist 6:00-7:30 / 8:30-9:30, Treetop Trail
Presenting Sponsor
Food Trucks
Central Plaza
- Cali Dip N Eats
- Egg Roll Queen
- Meson
- Hopper’s Mini Donuts
Upper Plaza
- Wet Taco
- T-Rex Cookies
Tiger Walkway
- Pigs Unlimited
- Finer Meats n Eats
Crossroads
- VBJ
- Que Tal
Artisans
• Fuzzbutt Boutique
• So Me by Jamelah Cooper
• Liny's Herbal Boutique
• Imani's Unique Sweets
• Off the Hook Crochet
• Enchilados
• Yareth Soap and Candles
• Chantico
• Nite Dot Art
• Nature's Syrup
• Thrift Wicks Candle Co
Crossroads Stage Series Sponsor:
Lakeside Terrace Stage Series Sponsor:
Each Wild Nights 2023 date will feature a unique array of local food vendors and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. Food and beverage are not included in the cost of your ticket and are not allowed in the Llama Trek walk-through exhibit.
All tickets must be purchased online and in advance of the event. Please note that Wild Nights are 18+ adults-only events; no children or infants will be admitted.
Wild Nights is a rain or shine event with activities available both outdoors and indoors. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
If you’re unsure of your summer schedule—or love making spur-of-the-moment plans—consider a Flex Package. Our Flex Package allows you to attend any three Wild Nights dates. Member cost for the Flex Package is $135; Non-member pricing is $165.
Minnesota Zoo members enjoy discounted tickets and Ticket Plans for Wild Nights 2023. Log into your Member account to see your savings.
Not yet a Minnesota Zoo Member? Join today to get your discounted tickets to Wild Nights 2023! In addition to discounted events and activities, Members also receive free daily admission and contribute to wildlife conservation here at the Zoo and around the world! Check out the many benefits of Minnesota Zoo Membership and sign up on the website.
With the discounted Pick 3+ Package, you’ll select 3 (or more) Wild Nights dates at the time of purchase and save $5 per date. The Package comes with 1 ticket to 3 (or more) nights. You must select at least 3 dates—but you can add all the way up to 9 dates to your Package at the same discounted rate!
If you’re buying more than one Pick 3+ Package in the same transaction, please note the dates you select will be the exact same for each Package. Tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged for alternate nights once you’ve made your selections.
Wild Nights features a festival-like atmosphere with the opportunity to explore the entire Zoo campus, visit your favorite animals, take in diverse musical acts at three different stages, enjoy unique food and beverage options, and engage with local artists and vendors at this adults-only event.
All animal trails and exhibits at the Zoo will be open and accessible to guests from 6 – 8 pm. The Llama Trek walk-through exhibit and camel rides are available seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; when open, camel rides, llama walks, and llama feeding are available for additional fees.
Yes! The Treetop Trail will be open during Wild Nights and close by 9:30 pm. The Treetop Trail will close if certain weather situations arise, including lightning, thunderstorms, or high winds.
Your Wild Nights ticket includes general admission access to all activities which operate on a first-come first-served basis. Seating is limited in some locations, so we encourage you to plan your evening accordingly.
Your ticket to Wild Nights includes general admission to all live music and entertainment, access to the entire Zoo campus including animal trails and exhibits (open until 8 pm), virtual trivia and themed scavenger hunt, access to food and beverage vendors and local artisans, and free event parking. Food and beverage can be purchased separately. The Llama Trek walk-through exhibit will be open; Camel rides, llama walks, and llama feeding are available for additional fees.
Wild Nights is rain or shine. If there is severe weather and the event needs to be canceled, ticket holders for that evening will be contacted by Zoo Guest Services.
Yes! If you would like purchase 16 or more single tickets or Ticket Packages for your group, please contact [email protected]
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.431.9200
Subscribe to our Newsletter
About
Your Visit
Copyright 2023, Minnesota Zoo | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy