Lincoln Park Zoo to Reopen March 5; Celebrates “Coming Out of Hibernation”

Chicago (February 16, 2021) — Lincoln Park Zoo is coming out of hibernation and reopening to the public March 5!

The re-opening weekend includes the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo’s Beers & Bears event – a fundraiser to support the zoo’s pandemic relief fund – digital on-grounds chats, and an exclusive beer launch with DryHop Brewers.

Reopening

Lincoln Park Zoo is reopening to the general public, beginning March 5, with limited capacity and strict guidelines in place. Zoo members have a chance to visit ahead of the public reopening with a Members-Only weekend February 27-28. Not a member? Join today at lpzoo.org/membership.
In order to monitor capacity guidelines in place by the City and State, all visits to Lincoln Park Zoo will be by reservation. Reservations to visit Lincoln Park Zoo are free. Starting February 28, reservations can be made using Eventbrite or via telephone at 312-742-2000.

Reservations to visit the zoo will be released at 4 p.m., the Thursday and Sunday prior, for the following 3-4 days.

For more information and safety guidelines, visit lpzoo.org/welcome.

Beers & Bears

A fundraiser hosted by the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo to support the zoo and its mission to connect people with nature, Beers & Bears celebrates the zoo awakening from its temporary winter ‘hibernation’! This unique event features the “best of the best” of Chicago with an exclusive beer with DryHop Brewers, a virtual improv show with The Second City, and a chance to be one of the first Chicagoans to visit the newly re-opened Lincoln Park Zoo.

Tickets to Beers & Bears are available via Eventbrite and include options for a Celebration Pack ($120), which includes zoo swag, exclusive beer, and access to the improv show. The Second City show and DryHop Brewers beer can also be purchased a la carte for $30 and $15 respectively. The Celebration Pack also includes guaranteed reservations to Lincoln Park Zoo on March 6 and access to fire pits and s’more making kits at Birds Eye Bar & Grill.

Lincoln Park Zoo has once again partnered with DryHop Brewers to create a one-of-a-kind limited-edition beer. The 2021 beer, a Milkshake IPA named “Grin and Bear It”, pays homage to the American black bear and its diet with nodes of huckleberry, hazelnut, and honey.

Proceeds from Beers & Bears will provide Lincoln Park Zoo critical funds during this financially vulnerable time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sponsors of Beers & Bears include Aon, Associated Bank, Durable Packaging, Latham & Watkins, Remedy Medical Properties, South Loop Market, Walgreens, and William Blair.

As with many cultural institutions, the pandemic has presented many financial challenges. Please consider supporting your free zoo during this difficult time by donating today at lpzoo.org/join.

To learn more about Lincoln Park Zoo, visit lpzoo.org.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

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