Cosley Zoo is a great place to celebrate a birthday!
Birthday Parties
Cosley Zoo offers a unique setting for birthday parties!
The following includes the various spaces, fees, amenities, and additional information for rentals at the zoo. Guests receive FREE zoo admission with any Cosley Zoo event rental. Click on tabs below to view details regarding the various rental options available.
Day Rentals (9A-5P)
Capacity: up to 50
Rates: $370.00 for 2 hours; $125.00 per hour for each additional hour
The Duck Pond Pavilion is a casual outdoor covered pavilion. Included in the rental fee are the following:
- Free admission for your guests
- 8 ft and 6 ft tables for seating and three 8 ft tables for non-seating
- Dark green table coverings – optional
- Chairs
- 30 minutes set-up time prior to the reserved rental time
- 30 minutes break-down time following the reserved rental time
The following amenities and services can be provided for an additional fee:
- Live Animal Encounter (3 animal visit) – $125.00
- Ice Cream Novelties (available seasonally) – Starting at $2.50 each.
- Bottled Soda and Water – Please request pricing
- Catered Food and Beverage, Rented Tables, Chairs, or Linens – Please see our preferred vendor list for more information
Capacity: up to 100
Rental Rates: $575.00 for 2 hours; $175.00 per hour for each additional hour
The Kiebler Room is a second-floor room that is climate-controlled, has private washrooms, and is accessible only by stairs. Included in the rental fee are the following:
- Free admission for your guests
- 8 ft tables – for seating and 3 non-seating
- Dark green table coverings – optional
- Chairs
- 30 minutes set-up time prior to reserved rental time
- 30 minutes break-down time following the reserved rental time
The following amenities and services can be provided for an additional fee:
- Live Animal Encounter (3 animal visit) – $125.00
- Ice Cream Novelties (available seasonally) – Starting at $2.50 each
- Bottled Soda and Water – Please request pricing
- Catered Food and Beverage, Rented Tables, Chairs, and Linens – Please see our preferred vendor list for more information
Evening Rentals (After 5P)
Capacity: up to 100
Rental Rates: $875.00 for up to 4 hours
The Kiebler Room is a second-floor room that can accommodate up to 100 people, is climate-controlled, has private washrooms, and is accessible only by stairs. Included in the rental fee are the following:
- 8 ft. tables – for seating and 3 non-seating
- Dark green table coverings – optional
- Chairs
- 1 hour set-up time prior to reserved rental time
- 30 minutes break-down time following the reserved rental time
The following amenities and services can be provided for an additional fee:
- Live Animal Encounter (3 animals) – $125.00
- Bottled Soda and Water – Please request pricing
- Catered Food and Beverage, Upgraded Tables, Chairs, and Linens – Please see our preferred vendor list for more information
- Alcoholic Beverages (provided and served by Arrowhead Golf Club) – Prices vary. Please see our preferred vendor list for contact information.
Capacity: up to 500
Rental Rates: Sunday–Thursday $2,395.00; Friday/Saturday $2,795.00 for up to 6 hours
An entire zoo rental gives you use of the front lawn, outdoor amphitheater, Duck Pond Pavilion and second-floor Kiebler Room. Wildlife can remain on exhibit until sunset if requested. Included in the rental fee are the following:
- Use of tables, linens, and chairs in the Kiebler Room and Duck Pond Pavilion
- 2 hour set-up time prior to the reserved rental time
- 1 hour break-down time following the reserved rental time
The following amenities and services can be provided for an additional fee:
- Strolling Animal Visit (3 live animals – 30 minutes) – Starting at $275.00
- Ice Cream Novelties (available seasonally) – Starting at $2.50 each
- Catered Food and Beverage, Upgraded Linens, Additional Tables, Chairs, and Tent Rentals—Please see our preferred vendor list for more information.
- Alcoholic Beverages (provided and served by Arrowhead Golf Club) – Prices vary. Please see our preferred vendor list for contact information.
Rental Procedures
To complete a reservation, a non-refundable deposit is required along with a signed rental agreement. Your deposit is then credited towards the balance due. Deposit fees are 50% of the base rental fee.
Deposits are due within one (1) week of making the reservation and can be paid by cash, check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover).
The final balance is due two weeks prior to the rental date. Reservations made within three weeks of the event date are required to pay in full within one (1) week of making the reservation.
Deposits and balances can be paid in any of the following ways:
- In person at Cosley Zoo’s Wild Side Gift Shop
- Mail a check payable to Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton IL 60187
- Call 630.665.5534 and pay with credit card
Your rental coordinator will assist you with any questions throughout your planning process up until the day of your event. On the day of your event, your rental greeter will meet you upon your arrival and check in with you at the end of your event. You are responsible for all unloading, set-up, and clean-up of your supplies. Cosley Zoo does not provide a team member to assist with this.
Cosley Zoo offers a preferred vendor list (PDF) for those looking to have a caterer on-site during their event.
Animal visits must be scheduled at least two weeks prior to your event date.
Pets/outside animals are not allowed on zoo grounds.
Time for set-up has been included in the rental fee. Please see the specific rental space for the exact amount of set-up time included. If you need additional time for set-up, you must book this in advance with the rental coordinator. Additional fees apply.
Free-standing and tabletop decorations are recommended. Thumbtacks, tape, or nails are not permitted on walls, ceilings, buildings, or trees.
For the safety of our animals, Cosley Zoo does not allow:
- Balloons
- Confetti
- Piñatas
- Fireworks (including sparklers)
- Chinese lanterns
- Grilling and open flame (birthday candles are allowed)
Time for cleanup has been included in the rental fee. Please see the specific rental space for the exact amount of set-up time included. If you need additional time for cleanup, this must be scheduled with the rental coordinator in advance. Additional fees apply.
Cosley Zoo has limited public parking. We ask that you encourage your guests to carpool when possible. If parking is a concern, additional parking may be available depending on when your rental is scheduled. Please contact the rental coordinator for additional information. Valet parking may be required, see specific rental details.
Cosley Zoo remains open regardless of the weather. If cancellation is requested due to inclement weather, the zoo will work with you to reschedule your event. Deposits are nonrefundable but can be credited towards another date within 12 months of the cancellation. Rental deposits may only be used towards another rental and not towards other zoo amenities (gift shop purchases, programs, admissions, membership, etc.)
Virtual Celebrations
Birthday parties are a little different right now. Looking for a way to make it special even if you’re not having everyone together? Send the guest of honor a special birthday wish with a custom animal appearance!
Virtual Animal Encounter
A Cosley Zoo educator will join your party in real-time via Zoom with one of our ambassador animals. This 15-minute presentation will include fun facts about the animal and allow time for questions from your guests. Animals available for a virtual animal encounter include Hahn’s macaw, Madagascar hissing cockroach, walking stick, tarantula, rabbit, chicken, hedgehog, snake, turtle, skink, or millipede.
- $89.00*
- Up to 20 participants/20 logins
*Pricing is for an encounter scheduled to take place between 9A-3P, seven days a week. Contact us for pricing outside of these hours.
A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required for scheduling this real-time birthday experience, contact [email protected] to schedule a virtual animal encounter today!
Personalized Video Message
Send a personalized birthday wish to a friend, family member, or co-worker. You provide some basic information, and a Cosley Zoo staff member will record a personalized message with an animal of your choosing*.
- Message can be up to 30 seconds in length
- Video will be emailed to one email address
*Cosley Zoo will not record messages deemed inappropriate or in conflict with the zoo’s mission, vision, or values.
Choose One Animal:
A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required for customized birthday greetings. Please contact [email protected] to schedule.
Make it special even if you’re not having everyone together!
SUPPORT COSLEY ZOO
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