Friends of the Louisville Zoo announces 2025 event season

Beloved gala Zoofari returns June 13; new adults-only event, Skelebration, debuts this fall

LOUISVILLE, KY. (April 24, 2025) – Friends of the Louisville Zoo (FOZ) is planning a year of fundraising and fun with the return of their annual gala, Zoofari, and a new treat for adults this fall, Skelebration!

Louisville Zoo’s premier gala, Zoofari, coordinated and hosted by the FOZ Board, brings together community leaders and Zoo advocates for an event as unique and special as the Zoo! This year’s “Evening of Elegance” gala will occur on Friday, June 13, and will celebrate the snow leopard. Zoofari guests will be whisked away from the entrance of the Zoo for an exclusive evening of animal encounters, an elevated cocktail hour on the Snow Leopard Pass plaza, live and silent auctions, and an inspired dinner experience and entertainment. The fun continues with an exciting after-party featuring live music by Best Kept Secret, late-night bites and more! Zoofari tickets are available at LouisvilleZoo.org/zoofari.

New this year, FOZ will debut Skelebration on Wednesday, October 8. This exclusive after-hours event for adults 21 and over, will immerse guests in Halloween excitement from the moment they enter the Zoo. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy tasty bites, cocktails, mocktails, treats and perhaps a few haunts as they stroll through the Zoo. 

“The hard work and dedication of our Friends of the Zoo board members who annually create events full of fanciful, whimsical fun and fundraising is inspirational. We are fortunate to have so many in the community join us at these annual events to honor and celebrate the animals and work of our Zoo team. The collective commitment to species conservation is powerful,” said Zoo Director Dan Maloney.

Combined, Zoofari and Skelebration will bring thousands of people together in fun, exciting ways to raise funds for and celebrate the significant work of the Zoo and its role in the community and region. The events directly benefit the Zoo’s capital projects and their superior work to conserve species, care for animals and offer educational programming. To learn more, please visit LouisvilleZoo.org/Friends.

###

Established in 1969, the Friends of the Louisville Zoo (FOZ) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission of “raising funds to preserve, promote and advance the mission of the Louisville Zoo.” For over 5o years, the FOZ Board has been comprised of individuals who are passionate about animals and committed to the advancement of the Zoo. Proceeds from their past events have supported projects such as Glacier Run, Gorilla Forest, Snow Leopard Pass, the lakeside bridge and the sloth habitat.

The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance of zoos and aquariums.