Come and be a part of all the exciting activities taking place throughout the year at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Learn about the animals in their habitats while you play and have fun!
Date: August 6, 2026
Time: 5:00pm - Doors open; 5:30pm - Speaker presentation begins; 6:30pm - Question and Answer session; 7pm - Event ends
Presenter: Dr. Jenna Congdon
Collaborating with zoos and conservation areas allows for scientific research on animal cognition and improves animal welfare. This presentation outlines the past year of research at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, featuring Dr. Congdon's summary of student research across various species and her touchscreen research involving Northern fur seals, harbour seals and North American river otters.
2026 Conservation Talks Schedule
Join us on the first Thursday of every month for conservation talks.
- September 3 - Spilling the Beans on Canadian Lynx
- October 1 - Spilling the Beans on Edmonton’s Urban Birds
- November 5 - Spilling the Beans on the Arctic
- December - No talk this month, but see you at Zoominescence
Come explore the new Mission Safari, a multi-layered adventure maze!
The journey starts with question-and-answer challenges that set each adventurer on their own path through the maze. Along the way, explorers will learn about life on the wild side through different fun physical challenges.
Don't miss this pop-up experience! Featured at Edmonton Valley Zoo until September 13, 2026.
Plaza Performances
Bring your furry pet friends, grab a bird-friendly coffee at the Wild Neighbours Café and enjoy live music and performances from local Edmonton artists. No admission required.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Artist | Event Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1-3 | 11am-2pm | Youth Showcase | Experience a variety of upcoming local youth talent - you heard it here first! |
| Aug 8-9 | 11am-2pm | Ava Nayana | Ava Nayana is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from St. Albert with a bold and beautiful voice. |
| Aug 15-16 | 10am-1pm | John Calverly | John Calverley is a local violinist, improviser, session musician and instructor. |
| Aug 22-23 | 11am-2pm | Martha Messmaker | Martha Messmaker sings, dances and makes messes. |
| Aug 29-30 | 11am-2pm | Youth Showcase | Experience a variety of upcoming local youth talent - you heard it here first! |
Community Partners at the Zoo
Meet community partners, discover new hobbies and interests, and enjoy interactive activities and hands-on learning for all ages.
| Date | Time | Community Partner & Event Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Aug 1 | 1-3pm | Root for Trees: Expand and care for Edmonton’s urban forest | Around the zoo |
| Tuesday, Aug 4 | 9am-noon | Nature’s Mini Movers: Meet new friends, move and shake like the zoo animals | Wildlife Amphitheatre |
| Thursday, Aug 6 | 1-3pm | Root for Trees: Expand and care for Edmonton’s urban forest | Around the zoo |
| Friday, Aug 7 | 11-11:30am | CLAW Lab: Be an animal behaviour scientist | Wildlife Amphitheatre |
| Saturday, Aug 8 | 1-3pm | Root for Trees: Expand and care for Edmonton’s urban forest | Around the zoo |
| Sunday, Aug 9 | 10am-4pm | Parks Canada: Learn to Camp workshop | Around the zoo |
| 11am, noon, 1pm | Parks Canada: Learn to Bird and A Beary Berry Good Day workshops | Wildlife Amphitheatre | |
| Wednesday, Aug 12 | 10am-3pm | Alberta Capital Airshed: Learn about Edmonton's changing air quality | Around the zoo |
| Thursday, Aug 13 | 1-3pm | Root for Trees: Expand and care for Edmonton’s urban forest | Around the zoo |
| Friday, Aug 14 | 10:30am-noon | Nature Alberta: Nature walk, live music and workshops | Wildlife Amphitheatre |
| Sunday, Aug 16 | 10am-1pm | Mah Society: Learn to play Mahjong | Red Panda Patio |
| 10am-4pm | Parks Canada: Learn to Camp workshop | Around the zoo | |
| August 20, 22, 27 & 29 | 1-3pm | Root for Trees: Expand and care for Edmonton’s urban forest | Around the zoo |
Daily Animal Talks
Looking to get closer to some of our animals? Join us to meet and learn about one of the fascinating species that lives here at the zoo!
Animal Talk Daily Schedule
| Time | Animal Talk | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30am | Carnivore Talk | Serval Habitat |
| 10am | Red Panda Talk | Red Panda Habitat |
| 10:30am | Lemur Talk | Makira Outpost |
| 11am | Birds of Prey Talk | Birds of Prey Habitats |
| 11:30am | Takin Talk | Takin Habitat |
| 1:30pm | Camel Talk | Camel Habitat |
| 2:30pm | Seal Talk | Polar Extremes |
| 3:30pm | Otter Talk | Otter Habitat |
Please note: all activities are subject to change.
Wildlife Amphitheatre Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:30am | Book Reading |
| 10:30am | Prize Games |
| Noon-2pm | Nature Play |
| 3pm | Fascination Station |
Please note: all activities are subject to change.
Events Admission
General admission applies to all events unless otherwise indicated. All activities are free with general admission. Annual Zoo Membership Passes and Leisure Access Passes can be used for events that occur during regular operating hours.
Hours
Hours are effective May 9 - September 7, 2026.
| Monday |
9am-5pm |
| Tuesday |
9am-5pm |
| Wednesday |
9am-5pm |
| Thursday |
9am-5pm |
| Friday |
9am-5pm |
| Saturday |
9am-5pm |
| Sunday |
9am-5pm |
Holidays: 9am-5pm
The last admission window is an hour prior to closing time. The zoo will be cleared at the closing time listed.
Valley Zoo Development Society Events
The Valley Zoo Development Society, our non-profit society, also runs evening fundraising events at Edmonton Valley Zoo. These events, such as ZooFest, the Zoolander Fashion Show, Zoo Brew and Zoominescence, are coordinated through the Valley Zoo Development Society.
Contact Us
Edmonton Valley Zoo
Email attractions@edmonton.ca
Phone 311 | Outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Address 13315 Buena Vista Road NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7