Summer Safari, presented by UPMC Health Plan, is the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s biggest fundraiser of the year. This wildest of parties, happening Friday, June 20, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m., is even more poppy-lar in 2025 with a “Secret Garden” theme that finds the verdant Zoo grounds blooming even brighter than usual!

The evening includes a variety of tasty bites and refreshing drinks. Beverages provided by Cinderlands and Stateside Vodka, as well as a dozen of Pittsburgh’s finest purveyors of food: our full list is here. The event also features a Wonder of the Yinzer World – the largest cookie table in the Burgh, featuring a kaleidoscope of creations from area confectionaries.

Entertainment includes live music, as melodies will linger in the summer air, courtesy of Jukebox Band, The Delaneys, and Radiant Strings. Among our animal residents, enrichment opportunities and keeper talks will be provided for the tigers, gorillas, and clouded leopards. (For those with the exclusive Poppy Premier Pass, an encounter with Lewis the giraffe is an option!)

In creating a veritable Garden of Eden, every effort has been made to create an event that is as low waste as possible. The Zoo is committed to sustainability and works to reduce its impact on the environment. Green initiatives have been implemented to make Summer Safari an environmentally sustainable event. Refuse will be diverted from the landfill through reuse, composting, and recycling efforts. Décor was sustainably purchased with the purpose of long-term, repeat use throughout the Zoo. Themed cups are reusable and eliminate the waste of thousands of plastic cups. Compostable plates and utensils will be used, as well as other recyclable and eco-friendly items. All floral centerpieces are locally sourced, and the green scene was created by our Zoo’s wonderful horticulture department. Some of the evening’s planters, tropicals, and other plants were even donated from the recent U.S. Open, repurposing greenery as décor, or habitat or food source for Zoo animals. “Go Green” stations will be set up throughout the Zoo at the event highlighting the Zoo’s green efforts.

Summer Safari would not be possible without an armada of assistance, and the Zoo is grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, UPMC Heath Plan, and those who rose to the occasion at various sponsorship levels, including Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Huntington, Jennmar, Lamar, Cinderlands, Dollar Bank, PNC, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Wabtec, and more. See our complete list of sponsors.

After a week of rain, the weather forecast predicts a perfect evening! Grab your buds and purchase tickets today!