Mark your calendars to monkey around with family and friends at the Denver Zoo for FREE in 2025. On select Free Days, the Zoo is giving back to the community with FREE tickets. The next free day at Denver Zoo is Sunday, April 6, 2025. Not everyone can come at once…so the Zoo has gone to a first-come, first-served basis for the tickets. Here’s how to score yours. They are released on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Currently, the Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with admission windows from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. By our calculations, there will be about 2,800 tickets available.
The Zoo always provides a wild time for families because there’s so much to do and see. Explore Predator Ridge populated with lions and other carnivores, the indoor rainforest Tropical Discovery, the Toyota Elephant Passage, Harmony Hill Bear Habitat, Primate Panorama, Northern Shores and more.
Mom BB and her new son. Photo: Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
How The Denver Zoo Free Ticket System Works:
Step 1: Check the chart below for the date tickets will be posted for an upcoming Free Day. Tickets are posted 11 days before each Free Day.
Step 2: Around 9 a.m. (sometimes earlier) on the release date, click here to get your Free Day tickets. Tickets are available first-come, first-served. When they are gone, they are gone. Note: Free tickets are not available onsite and walk-ups will not be permitted.
Step 3: You will receive an email confirmation once you have booked your tickets.
Step 4: On your designated Free Day, bring your digital tickets to the Zoo – and have a great day!
THE FINE PRINT: You may book up to 5 tickets for each Free Day based on the number you need for your group. Limit one registration per person, per Free Day.
Tickets are available ONLINE ONLY. No tickets will be available at the Zoo gate.
All guests must have a timed ticket for entry, including children 2 and under.
Tickets are valid only for the specific Free Day and entry time you reserved.
Here’s where to go for more info.
2025 Dates To Remember
Friday, January 10 (release date, December 31)
Sunday, January 26 (release date, January 15)
Sunday, February 9 (release date, January 29)
Sunday, April 6 (release date March 26)
Friday, November 7 (release date October 27)
Saturday, November 15 (release date November 4)
Sunday, November 23 (release date November 12)
Denver Zoo Members
Member tickets will be available on these community free dates. Please use your membership to reserve your tickets as usual.
Lee says
I’m bummed because I set my alarm for noon because your article said that yesterday. Missed the boat. It’s annoying that the zoo won’t post release times
Becca K says
They were gone by noon (when I checked)…guess you gotta be quick with these when the weather is nice!
Laura says
The Zoo keeps setting the times back earlier. It may be that they have some automated system now that opens up the tickets each day, so they may actually be starting much earlier than in the past. Going forward I think it makes sense to check first thing that opening day and keep checking if it is not yet open. You may also want to check back in a bit as sometimes people don’t follow-thru and more tickets get released.
Laura says
We are going to update our post to have people check earlier as the Zoo keeps changing the release time and won’t give us a firm answer.