Climbing Koalas and a Jumping Joey
If you still haven't met him, August is your month! Ellin, a beloved Palm Beach Zoo animal, has spent the summer raising her joey in front of delighted guests, and word has officially gotten out: it's a boy, and his name is Bonza.
True to his Aussie roots, "Bonza" means "awesome" or "excellent," and honestly, it fits. Watch him climb, nap, and grow more independent by the week during the Zoo's Koala Experience, where you can see both Ellin and Bonza together, a wildlife moment you won't find anywhere else in South Florida. Looking for a fun outing idea before summer wraps up? A visit with Bonza is about as bonza as it gets.
Wild Night Out: Tails and Touchdowns 🏈🎶
Football season is almost here, and the Zoo is getting a jump on it. On Saturday, August 29, the Wild Night Out series kicks off the season early with Tails and Touchdowns, a night that blends tailgate energy with after-hours animal adventures. Guests can catch live college football on screens throughout the event, soak up all the tailgating spirit, and dance the night away to live music from Whiskey Six. Whether you're there for the games, the music, or the animals, this is one Wild Night Out worth marking on the calendar. Wild Night Out runs through September too, so if you miss this one, there's still time to catch the next.
Cool Off and Explore Before the Bell Rings
Summer break is winding down, which means the Zoo's Kids Free promotion is entering its final stretch, now extended through August 10, 2026. That gives families a few extra days to soak up the fun before backpacks and school bells take over. Wander the shaded pathways, grab something cold to beat the heat, and don't miss the café's new shrimp dishes added to the menu this season. (And if the kids want to make a meal out of ice cream instead, they won't judge.) Every visit does double duty, too: while the kids are busy spotting their favorite animals, the Zoo is hard at work protecting wildlife and wild places, and each ticket helps fuel that mission. It's conservation education that sneaks up on you, because seeing an animal up close teaches a whole lot you can’t get anywhere else.
Teachers, Your Free Membership is Waiting 🍎
Before the new school year fully takes over, teachers will have a chance to swing by during Teacher Appreciation Week, running August 3–9, 2026, and pick up a free annual teacher membership in person. It's a small thank-you for the educators about to pour their energy into another year of shaping our kids, and we hope it means a few extra Zoo days with the family down the road.
The Details You Need
- Kids Free Summer has been extended and now runs through August 10, 2026.
Up to 4 kids ages 3-12 are admitted free with the purchase of one full-priced adult ticket.
Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. - Wild Night Out events land on the last Saturdays of August and September. Visit August 29, 2026, for Tails and Touchdowns, featuring live college football, tailgating vibes, and live music from Whiskey Six.
- Their one-of-a-kind Koala Experience featuring Ellin and joey, Bonza, is available now.
- The Zoo's Teacher Appreciation Week is August 3–9, 2026. Visit in person for a free annual membership.
August is shaping up to be one more great reason to visit the Palm Beach Zoo before school takes over the calendar. Between a growing koala who lives up to his name, a tailgate-themed night under the stars, and a few bonus days of free admission for the kids, there's still plenty of summer left to enjoy. See you at the Zoo!
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society | 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33405 | palmbeachzoo.org.
