Birmingham Zoo to host family-friendly 'Zoo Year’s Eve' celebrations

Families can ring in the New Year early with a pair of cougar-themed “Zoo Year’s Eve” celebrations at the Birmingham Zoo on Wednesday, December 31.

The zoo will host two family-friendly events designed for guests who prefer not to stay up until midnight. Both celebrations will feature a large illuminated “2025” lantern display with cougars, created by the artists behind Glow Wild and Hanart, and lowered in a countdown to welcome 2026.

The daytime celebration runs from 1 to 3 p.m., with a New Year’s Eve countdown drop scheduled for 2 p.m. in the zoo’s plaza. Guests can attend cougar keeper chats at Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing in the Alabama Wilds area at 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., along with educational activities and a cougar-themed scavenger hunt available throughout the afternoon.

A nighttime celebration will follow from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring another countdown drop at 6 p.m. Educational activities and photo opportunities will take place in the zoo’s plaza, while visitors can explore more than 300 illuminated animal lanterns during Glow Wild.

Since Alabama Wilds will be closed at night to allow the animals to rest, a special big-cat lantern scavenger hunt will guide guests through the exhibit.

Both Zoo Year’s Eve events are included with regular zoo admission or Glow Wild admission. The Red Diamond Express train and virtual reality experiences are expected to be available during both celebrations for an additional fee.

Glow Wild is sponsored by Chase, with additional support from Alabama Power and UAB Callahan Eye.

The celebrations highlight the zoo’s recently opened Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing habitat, unveiled as part of the Birmingham Zoo’s 70th anniversary in 2025.

“As the Birmingham Zoo celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025, the new Cougar Crossing habitat was a significant new chapter in the Zoo’s overall history,” President and CEO Chris Pfefferkorn said. He credited donors Larry and Phyllis Wojciechowski and community partners for making the project possible.

The habitat is home to two young cougars, Juniper and Spruce, both orphaned in the wild and rescued from Montana and California, as well as two bobcats, Boomer and Baxter, rescued in the San Diego area. All four cats were transported with assistance from FedEx.

DAYTIME CELEBRATION: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

1:15 p.m. – Cougar Zookeeper Chat at Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing in Alabama Wilds
2:00 p.m. – NYE Countdown Drop in the Plaza. Photo opportunities.
2:30 p.m. – Cougar Zookeeper Chat at Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing in Alabama Wilds
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Educational activities in the Plaza related to cougars and a scavenger hunt throughout the Birmingham Zoo.

NIGHTTIME CELEBRATION: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Educational activities in the Zoo’s Plaza
6:00 p.m. – Cougar Countdown Drop in the Zoo’s Plaza. Photo opportunities.
5:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Big Cat Lantern Scavenger Hunt throughout Glow Wild.

For more information, visit @BirminghamZoo on Facebook, @bhamzoo on Instagram, or www.birminghamzoo.com

Baylor Frazier is a digital and radio sales specialist for YHN Media Group. For advertising opportunities through our portfolio of publications, you can contact him directly at [email protected].