Upcoming Events at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Show Your Love for Como & the Planet!
April 24-25
A special community campaign kick-off event. Guests can attend and show their love for Como at this two-day conservation event by participating in special activities, talks, entertainment, or making a contribution to Polar Bear Odyssey.  Como Friends, the non-profit partner of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, goal is to raise $200,000 for this world-class conservation exhibit from Como’s two million annual visitors—the largest audience of any cultural institution in the state of Minnesota.
 
Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden Opening
May 1 - September 30.
The Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden is a living symbol of the peace and friendship that exists between Saint Paul and its sister city Nagasaki, Japan. A renowned landscape designer in Nagasaki, Masami Matsuda, created the garden according to time honored Japanese design principles using plants and trees that are hardy in Minnesota. Infused with true Japanese design, the garden is meant to delight your senses.
 
Cafesjian's Carousel Opening
May 1 - September 7
Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Operated by volunteers, the 68-horse carousel was built in 1914 and celebrates its 10th year at Como.
www.ourfaircarousel.org
 
Como Town Opening
Weekends beginning May 1st, Open Daily May 8 -September 6
Como Town Amusement Park will be open the weekend of May 1 & 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and beginning Saturday, May 8, open daily at 10 a.m. through Labor Day, Monday, September 6, and then weekends through September 26. Como Town features more than 18 interactive rides and attractions that encourage kids to actively shape or control their experience including new for 2010 Tilt-A-Whirl—an original Made-in-Minnesota ride—and the Splash Zone—an interactive water play area. Other visitors’ favorites include the Tornado! Screamin’ Dragon the double spiral roller coaster, Drop Zone, Traffic Jam! bumper cars, and Como Town Driving School.
 
Como Shuttle
Weekends May 1 - September 30. Daily service begins June 1 – August 8
Follow the signs to our off-site parking lot and take the quick trip to our front door aboard the Como Shuttle. These air-conditioned, stroller friendly and ADA compliant shuttles drop guests off in front of the Visitor Center. This free Shuttle runs continuously from 9:30 am – 6:30pm
 
Summer Flower Show
May 8 – October 3
The Summer Flower Show displays the greatest plant diversity of any of the Sunken Garden Flower Shows, as well as the longest season.  Roses, Statice, Geraniums, Asiatic Lilies, Heliotrope, New Guinea Impatiens, Petunias and Caladiums are some of the floral features, representing a rainbow of colors, bloom sequence, form and fragrance. Sunken Garden will be closed May 3 – May 7.
 
Bonsai Show
May 8 & 9
The Minnesota Bonsai Society Mother's Day Weekend Bonsai Show is a unique opportunity to see privately owned bonsai.  Bonsai are 'trees in pots' and are an ancient art form from Japan that blends artistic vision and horticultural expertise.  Each bonsai represents nature in miniature and creates appreciation for the aesthetic of great age and rugged form as represented by the trees.
 
Sparky the Sea Lion Show
May 31 – September 6
11:30am Monday – Friday
11:30am & 2:00pm Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
Sparky presents "Sparky's Tundra Tour".  Sparky is excited about the return of polar bears Buzz and Neil. In celebration of this event, Sparky will take a trip to the Arctic where she could run into other animals such as a seal, walrus, Arctic fox and polar bear.  Each show is a little different – you never know what you might see!
 
Polar Bear Odyssey Grand Opening Weekend
June 3 - June 6
Welcome Buzz and Neil into their NEW state-of-the-art habitat.  Watch the Polar Bears dive into their pools, swim in the water and forage for treats.  Buzz and Neil are looking forward to see their fans!
 
MELSA Kick-Off to Summer Reading Event
June 17 – 10am – 2pm
The Metropolitan Library Service Agency Kick-off events are from 10 am - 2 pm, rain or shine, and include all kinds of special activities.
 
Blooming Butterflies
June 19 - September 6
Back by popular demand, this seasonal butterfly exhibit is a total immersion experience. Witness hundreds of butterflies as they metamorphose from crawling caterpillars into beautiful winged creatures.
 
Artist & Photographer Days inside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory & Japanese Garden
Sunday, May 16 - 8:00 am- 10 am (MMC and JG)
Wednesday, June 30 - 6:30pm - 9:00 pm (MMC and JG)
Wednesday, July 14 - 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm (MMC and JG)
An opportunity for aspiring artists to bring in easels and tripods before or after public hours.  $5 per person

Creature Feature – NEW!
12:30pm Daily in Sparky’s amphitheater.
Come see what creature we will feature in this new daily show.
 
Meet the Keepers of the Gardens and Zoo - Daily!
11:00am – Zookeeper Talk
1:00pm – Gardener Talk
Did you know that you can meet a gardener and zookeeper every day?  Each day a different topic will be featured and guests will learn about the day to day operations of running Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.  Learn about the animals and plants and how they are cared for, plus guests can ask questions!
 
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Background
For over 100 years, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and Como Zoo in Saint Paul, Minnesota has charmed, educated and entertained millions of children and adults while fostering an appreciation of the natural world, helping to make Saint Paul the Most Livable City in America.  The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is open 365 days; 10am-6pm from April 1-October 1 and 10am-4pm from October 2-March 31.  Admission to both the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is always free and a voluntary donation is appreciated. For more information, visit www.comozooconservatory.org