• Tiger - Champions for Nature 
• Wolf - Digging in the Past 
• Bear - Critter Care 
• Webelos - Champions for Nature 
• Arrow of Light - Into the Wild 
• Scouting America 
• Multi-Level Pack - Champions for Nature (requirements met for all ages attending)

• Daisy - Eco Learner 
• Brownie - Senses or Bugs! 
• Junior - Animal Habitats 
• Cadette - Night Owl 

• Zoology (for Pathfinders through Patriots/Pioneers)

Night Owls are offered year-round on Fridays and Saturdays except for holidays and special events. Dates are added seasonally, typically 6 months in advance. Click the night owl package(s) to see available dates. Interested in bringing your school group during the week? Email familyprograms@nashvillezoo.org to discuss availability.

• Night Owl Program | February to September, plus early November
• Specialty Night Owl Program | October, plus mid-November to February
  • During Zoo-wide after-hour family events such as Boo at the Zoo and Zoolumination, exclusive Night Owl experiences are available for groups. Specialty packages will appear on the website when registration opens.

The Night Owl program is $80 per participant, youth and adults. The Night Owl program includes special after-hours admission for the evening and Zoo admission the following day, education program of your choice, a night walk, evening snack, unique sleeping accommodations, continental breakfast, up-close animal encounters in the morning and a guided morning walk and zookeeper talk. Scout participants will receive a Nashville Zoo patch. All youth participants will also receive a Nashville Zoo Night Owl t-shirt. Adults can purchase a t-shirt for $10 each. Parking is also included. 

All participants must be age 5 years or older and are included in the total number of participants. For scout groups, siblings age 5+ are welcome to attend. 

Participants can start arriving at 6 pm. There is a half-hour built-in for groups to arrive and get settled before the program starts at 6:30 pm. For specialty Night Owl programs during Boo at the Zoo and Zoolumination, groups can start arriving at 5 pm. Groups need to eat dinner before arriving to the Zoo. Food cannot be delivered during the Night Owl. Night Owl programs conclude at 9 am. Admission is included in the cost of the program for the day following the conclusion of your program. 

Nashville Zoo is able to accommodate Night Owl programs during the week with advance notice. Email familyprograms@nashvillezoo.org to see what customization is available to align the program with the subjects and concepts being covered in the current school curriculum and what dates are available. 

Final participant numbers are due to the program coordinator 2 weeks prior to your program. The final balance is due 1 week prior to the program. 

Night Owl groups have the exciting opportunity to sleep in unique spaces. These spaces include:

• Unseen New World - inches away from reptile, amphibian and fish exhibits
• Expedition Peru, Andean Bear indoor viewing - bears are not on exhibit until 9 am the following morning
• Tiger Crossroads indoor viewing - tigers are not on exhibit until 9 am the following morning
• HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center classroom

Night Owl sleeping location will depend on time of year, group size and availability.

Due to the safety and welfare of our animals, they will not be on exhibit during the night walk. During your night walk, you will learn about Nashville Zoo’s unique history and tour the Grassmere Historic Croft House while you explore your senses at night. After breakfast the next morning, you will get a special opportunity to meet two of our animal ambassadors and go on a morning walk to a keeper chat. We are unable to share what animals you will meet ahead of time, as it is dependent on both the staff and animals available.

The Zoo is open to the public during specialty Night Owls programs so there will be other visitors at the zoo in the evening. The Night Owl program space is secure for your group and not accessible for general zoo guests. Your group is the only group spending the night.

Groups receive 1 free adult chaperone for every 10-youth participating. The free adult chaperone discount takes place once the minimum of 20 participants has been exceeded. There are no discounts for Nashville Zoo members for the Night Owl program. 

The $200 deposit is non-refundable. If your group cancels within one-week of your program date, there are no refunds, which includes a paid in full balance. If your group needs to reschedule, we will do our best to accommodate a date change, but it will depend on availability. If the Zoo has to cancel your program due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will do our best to reschedule to a new date. If your group is not able to reschedule, you will receive a full refund.

Night Owl programs are held rain or shine. Please come prepared for the weather. In the event of lightning, the outside portion of the program may be re-arranged or indoor activities substituted. If the weather causes the Zoo to close, you will be notified immediately, and all programs will be cancelled and rescheduled or fully refunded.