Spring has officially sprung in Philadelphia, and the nation’s oldest zoo is blooming with more than just cherry blossoms. As the city prepares for the massive America 250 celebrations, the Philadelphia Zoo has unveiled a jam-packed spring lineup that mixes holiday tradition with brand-new wildlife encounters.
The “Egg-Citing” Essentials If you have little ones, mark your calendars for the Easter Egg Hunts (April 3–5), where kids can scour the south end of the Zoo for treats and the elusive “golden egg” prize. For a more immersive experience, the Bunny Brunch returns on March 29 and April 5, featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet and a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny himself.
New Faces at the Habitat It’s a season of “firsts” for the Zoo’s 42-acre campus:
- The Return of Penguins: For the first time in 75 years, the Zoo is home to Magellanic penguins. You can spot this new colony at the Hollenstein Ross Penguin Point.
- A Splash of Orange: Head over to Primate Passage to see the Zoo’s newest arrival—a baby Francois langur born in December with distinctive, bright orange fur.
- Pennsylvania Pride: Meet the Eastern hellbender, the Commonwealth’s official state amphibian (affectionately known as the “snot-otter”), now residing in the Reptile & Amphibian House.
High-Flying Views Perhaps the most visible change is the Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel. Rising 110 feet into the air, the ride offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city skyline and the Schuylkill River—a perfect photo op for the 2026 anniversary year.
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