Early Zoo Closure: Last entry to the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo will be at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, September 11, to accommodate set up for our ZooBrew (18+) event. Last entry to buildings will be at 4 p.m. and the zoo will be cleared by 5 p.m. Thank you for your understanding.
Early Wild Canada Closure: Last entry to Wild Canada will be at 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, to accommodate set up for our FOCUSED (16+) event. Thank you for your understanding.
Early Penguin Plunge Closure: Last entry to Penguin Plunge on Thursday, September 17, will be at 4:15 p.m., with the building closed by 4:30 p.m, to accommodate a private event. Thank you for your understanding.
Early Asian Highlands Closure: Last entry to Asian Highlands will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, and Sunday, September 27, to accommodate set up for Wild After Hours: Snow Leopards (18+). The area will be cleared by 5 p.m. Thank you for understanding.
Polar Bear Viewing: Our polar bears will be temporarily off view in the main habitat from Tuesday, September 8, through Wednesday, September 16, while planned habitat maintenance is underway. The polar bears may still be visible in the courtyard through the amphitheatre window. Thank you for your understanding.
Grizzly Bear Viewing: Our grizzly bears are off-view from Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 18, to accommodate planned habitat work. Thank you for your understanding.
Giraffe Viewing: Our giraffes will not be viewable from Tuesday, September 15 through Thursday, September 17, to accommodate maintenance of the Savannah Building’s fabric doors. Thank you for your understanding.
PETRONAS Gateway to Asia Malayan Tapir Viewing: ‘Sempurna’ and her female calf ‘Nyawa’ have daily access to either the main indoor habitat or the outdoor habitat from 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. They’ll also have access to their behind-the-scenes space and may choose to spend time there, so viewing isn’t always guaranteed. Thank you for your understanding.
Due to significant construction activities in and around Imagine Asia, the zoo’s West Gate will remain closed for the 2025 season and is expected to remain closed until at least 2028/2029. This necessary step supports the safe movement of visitors while we undertake exciting improvements to animal habitats and visitor experiences.
Announcements
10 SEPTEMBER 2026 (Calgary, AB) — The Alberta Biodiversity Festival returns to the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo from September 11 to 13, celebrating the vast landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich ecosystems found across our province.
Presented by the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo in partnership with the Government of Alberta and Bow Habitat Station, the fifth-annual festival invites families to get curious about the natural world through creative activities, games, live performances, and interactive learning opportunities.
“It’s in our nature to be curious about the world around us, and that curiosity can inspire us to protect it,” said Laura Glick, Senior Manager, Conservation Education with the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo. “The Alberta Biodiversity Festival is an opportunity for families to explore Alberta’s incredible natural heritage and discover the role we can all play in conserving it for future generations.”
This year, the Alberta Biodiversity Festival expanded beyond the zoo for the first time with a pop-up event held July 29 in Camrose, bringing conservation-focused activities and learning opportunities to the community. In partnership with Shad Canada, the pop-up festival at the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus marked a new opportunity to connect Albertans with the festival beyond its annual Calgary events.
Festival programming is included with regular zoo admission from September 11 to 13. Families can test their bear-safety knowledge at an interactive campground, explore pollinator-inspired activities, follow the journeys of migratory species such as whooping cranes and burrowing owls, and learn about songbird conservation and insects in action.
The zoo is also welcoming new community partners for this year’s festival. Parks Canada, Green Calgary, and Calgary Wildlife will engage guests to learn about water conservation, wildlife co-existence, and how natural environments are being protected across the country.
The Alberta Biodiversity Festival will conclude with a special finale event at Bow Habitat Station on September 19, bringing together community partners for another opportunity to celebrate Alberta’s biodiversity. Admission is included with regular admission to Bow Habitat Station.
Event details
For more information, visit the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo or Bow Habitat Station websites.
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