John Ball Zoo reported record attendance during the 2024 season, with more than 800,000 guests visiting before the Zoo closes for the season on Sunday, Nov. 24. The Zoo will reopen on March 21, 2025.
It was an eventful year for the Zoo, the most visited cultural institution in Michigan outside of Detroit, with more than 175,000 people attending the magical, immersive Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo, shattering the previous year’s attendance record during its two-month run. The Zoo also hosted the Dino Adventures exhibition, opened a butterfly encounter experience and offered a Locked Zoo experience to visitors.
John Ball Zoo was delighted to welcome new life with penguin hatchings and the births of endangered species including an eastern mountain bongo and snow leopards. Lynx kits were also born at the Zoo this year. Additionally, the Zoo released more than 1,400 endangered Poweshiek skipperling butterflies into the wild after captive rearing and breeding of the species to improve wild populations.
“We’ve had a fantastic 2024 season at John Ball Zoo, and we’re so grateful to every visitor who joined us, made memories and helped support the conservation of wildlife and wild places,” said Andy McIntyre, chief operating officer of John Ball Zoo. “As we close our doors for now, our team remains committed to delivering exceptional care for our animals, developing exciting educational programs and continuing our conservation efforts both locally and globally. We’re eagerly looking ahead to a remarkable 2025 season.”
During the winter closure, John Ball Zoo offers several different options for Close Encounters, including a new pygmy hippo feeding, where guests tour the hippo habitat and learn about the Zoo’s efforts to save this animal from extinction, a penguin feeding, a penguin meet-and-greet, a sloth encounter and more. For more information, including how to sign up, visit the Zoo’s website.
Memberships and gift memberships to John Ball Zoo are available year-round and offer unlimited admission, additional discounts and exclusive perks.
During the 2025 season, the Zoo is looking forward to annual favorite events like Party for the Planet, STEAM Day, Zoo Goes Boo and many others. The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will also return beginning April 9 after a successful second year. Watch John Ball Zoo’s Facebook and Instagram channels for ticket information.
