Summer Safari in Previous Years

The Zoo’s most anticipated event of the year is back! On Friday, June 5, Summer Safari: Zoorassic Park turns back the clock…way back to the days of the dinosaurs!

The Zoo’s premier annual fundraiser, this signature celebration plays a pivotal role in supporting exceptional animal care, innovative education programs, and critical conservation efforts at the Zoo and around the world. Guests are invited to an evening of food, drinks, live music, and fun. Dinosaur prints and fossil fashion are encouraged!

A portion of your ticket is considered a tax-deductible donation to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Proceeds from Summer Safari fund the Zoo’s daily operations and long-term mission, ensuring that every animal receives the highest standard of care. These funds also support the Zoo’s education initiatives, which inspire thousands of guests of all ages each year to develop a deeper understanding of wildlife and the natural world.

Ticket Options

General Admission: $150

Includes complimentary glass, unlimited food and drink, animal encounters, live music, silent art auction, and photo booth access. General Admission guests will have access to the Village, Forest Passage and Savanna Path, Jambo Plaza, the Aquarium, and Water’s Edge Pavilion, with access to the Zoo starting at 7:00 p.m.

VIP – Primal Premier Pass: $300

Includes early access to the VIP Party at 6 p.m., exclusive VIP drink lines, silent art auction, complimentary glass and cup lanyard, unlimited food and drink, live music, animal encounters, exclusive food bites and wine tastings, and more! Our VIP Area includes all General Admission areas, plus spans to the Islands and Jungle Odyssey with exclusive keeper chats and a paleontologist talk!

Participating Restaurants with Menu Items & Vendors

In The Village

• Juniper Grill
  • Ahi Tuna Wontons: rare, seared tuna, mango puree, avocado wonton, and chipotle drizzle
• 1930 by Atria’s
  • Seasonal Hummus with Naan Dippers
• Atria’s
  • Bruschetta: toasted baguette, tomato, basil, balsamic drizzle
• Vallozzi’s
  • Meatballs
• Zoo Catering Provided by The SSA Group
  • Lamb Kofta on Pita
  • Wild Mushroom Veggie Crumble Slider

In the VIP Tent

• Industry Public House
  • Catalyst Chili: spicy beef chili with beans
• BreadWorks Bakery
  • Assorted Artisan Bread
• Palm Palm
  • Tuna Sushi Tots: cucumber, yum yum sauce, scallions, sesame seeds, avocado
• Zoo Catering Provided by The SSA Group
  • Pulled Pork Sliders with a Blueberry BBQ Sauce
  • Crispy Tofu Bahn Mi Wrap

At the Tropical Forest Complex Ramp

• The Sizzle Sauce
  • The Sizzle Sauce samples on chicken and pretzels
• SSA Popcorn Grab & Go

At Jambo Plaza

• Talia
  • Pork Meatballs in a Pomodoro Sauce
• Coughlin’s Law Kitchen & Ale House
  • Crab Rangoon Wontons: wonton chips, sweet chili glaze, scallions, black sesame seeds
• Butterjoint + Sidecar
  • Mini Apple Cider Vinegar Pies
• Zoo Catering Provided by The SSA Group
  • Jurassic Jerk Chicken Wings
  • Jurassic Jerk Seitan Wings

At VIP Working Wild

• Cinderlands Warehouse
  • Smoked Tri-tip Tacos, served with a corn tortilla. Corn salsa and Aleppo sour cream
• Zoo Catering Provided by The SSA Group
  • Fried Green Tomato BLT Bites

At the Aquarium

• Lucky Sign Spirits
  • Assorted Spirit Samples
• The Melting Pot
  • Chocolate Fondue Station
• DeLuca’s Bakery,
• Deli & Catering
  • Assorted Dessert Treats
• Zoo Catering Provided by The SSA Group
  • Birthday Cake Beignet
  • Banana’s Foster “Fossil” Pudding

At Water’s Edge Pavilion

• Texas Roadhouse
  • Donated Homemade Rolls & Honey Cinnamon Buttery Spread
• Zoo Catering Provided by The SSA Group
  • Pierogi Poutine
  • Chicken and Waffle Bites
  • Mini Mexican Street Corn on the Cob
• Pepsi-donated Products
  • A variety of Frito-Lay donated bags of chips and popcorn

More coming soon! Keep checking back.

Music and Entertainment Lineup

• No Bad Juju in The Village
• Stone Thrower Quartet at the Garden Tent
• Loyalty Entertainment & Weddings DJ in Jambo Plaza

• Disturbing the Peace DJs in the Aquarium
• Jukebox Band at Water’s Edge

Thank You to our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Animal Encounter Sponsor

Summer Safari Cup Sponsor

Primal Premier Pass Area Sponsor

Primal Premier Pass Benefit Sponsor

Keeper Talks Sponsor

Hydration Station Sponsor

Décor Sponsor

Entertainment Sponsor

Premier Media Sponsor

Premier Beer Sponsor

Village Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Jambo Plaza Sponsor

• Beverlynn & Steven Elliott

Aquarium Sponsor

• Diana & Frank Rath

Gold Sponsors

• Citizens
• Deb & Bryan Garlock
• Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Jim & Donna Hudson
• Mascaro Construction Company
• SIGAL Development Services LLC

Silver Sponsors

• Anonymous
• Duane Morris LLP
• Federated Investors Foundation
• HHR Construction & Excavation LLC
• ICE – Industrial Commercial Elevator
• Massaro Corporation
• Ruthrauff Service
• Rycon Construction, Inc.
• Wright Commercial Floors

Bronze Sponsors

• Allegheny Installations
• B&R Pools and Swim Shop
• CCS Fundraising
• Champ Printing Company
• CMS (BCS) Controls
• Jordan Banana Foodservice
• Krol Media
• Laborers’ Local Union #1058
• McCarl’s Services
• Schneider Downs + Co., Inc.