With 2023 just kicking off, you might be looking over your calendar and getting excited about all the fun to come. We know everyone at our Sanford zoo is doing just that!
Every year, we at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens aim to add some WILD events to the community while we support and share our conservation message. From barbecue and beer tasting to summer camp and holiday lights, we’ve got something in store for the whole family.
Looking for some things to do in Orlando in 2023? Mark your calendar for some of our favorite Zoo events!
Indigo Bluegrass BBQ
Foodies and music lovers unite! The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’ Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation is hosting the perfect event for you on February 11, 2023, from noon to 4 p.m. Spend a relaxing day at the Indigo Bluegrass BBQ and enjoy live music from The Blackwater Creek Bluegrass Band and your barbecue favorites. Beer will be provided by Wayne Densch, Inc. and wine will also be available. The best part? It’s all for a good cause! The event helps support the OCIC’s mission to re-introduce the eastern indigo snake to native longleaf pine habitats. There’s also an online auction. You can learn more here.
Year-round camps for kids
If you live near the Sanford zoo and are looking for things to do for kids in Orlando when school isn’t in session, look no further! The Central Florida Zoo hosts camps throughout the year that make learning fun. Zoo camps are filled with hands-on adventures to explore the wonders of nature and learn first-hand about animal species. We offer camps for days off like Presidents’ Day, spring break, and of course, summer camp. It’s a truly WILD time!
Brews Around the Zoo
Zoos are for adults too, and our popular Brews Around the Zoo proves it. This spring event is a must-have on your 2023 to-do list. Attendees have the chance to sample more than 30 different craft beers along with wine and seltzer, all while enjoying the Zoo. It’s a fun time every year, and because it supports our conservation and education initiatives, it also makes a difference! Keep an eye on our website for 2023 tickets, soon.
Hippity Hop Adventure
Regardless of if you’re a Sanford local or just visiting family for the Easter holidays, you can’t miss out on the Central Florida Zoo’s annual Hippity Hop Adventure in the spring. Let the little ones say hello to the Easter Bunny, then head out to enjoy some fun family activities, goody bags and more. This event is included in general admission to the Zoo, so don’t let the Easter Bunny be the only animal you stop and say hi to. Details for 2023 will be announced soon!
Family Sunset at The Zoo
It’s not summer break without stopping by the best zoo in Florida after hours for this special event. Family Sunset at the Zoo means we reopen at 5 p.m. on the fourth Friday of every month, May through September, for some added family fun. With discounted admission, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the Zoo in a whole new light and make some sweet memories together. Talk about the perfect evening getaway!
Zoo Boo Bash
Celebrate Halloween while avoiding the spookiness that comes with it. During the Zoo Boo Bash, children can show off their costumes while trick-or-treating safely. Get a look at our Sanford Zoo decked out in festive decorations and enjoy some fun activities…and of course, treats! This event usually takes place on the two weekends around Halloween, so be sure to mark that calendar.
Asian Lantern Festival
If you’re searching for holiday events in Orlando, you absolutely can’t miss Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo. This event has become an Orlando tradition! You and your family can stroll down a ¾ mile path and enjoy the larger-than-life, handcrafted illuminated lanterns along the way. It is truly stunning! While you walk, check out other authentic artisan crafts, food and beverages, and live music. This event runs from November to January on select nights, so it’s perfect for the holidays…just don’t miss your chance! It sells out nearly every year.
The year is just beginning, but there are already so many things to do in Orlando to look forward to. Will we get to see you at one of these fun events? We hope so! Check out what we have coming here and plan your visit anytime here.
