Duck Pond water wheel and shelter

The grounds at Cosley Zoo offer a beautiful setting for your next event.

Zoo Rentals

Cosley Zoo offers a unique setting for meetings, family events, celebrations, and more!

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.

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 make a reservation, please contact Tami at 630.510.5040 or [email protected].

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:

  1. In person at Cosley Zoo’s Wild Side Gift Shop
  2. Mail a check payable to Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton IL 60187
  3. Call 630.665.5534 and pay with credit card
Wild Bunch Plus and Keeper Club Member levels receive a 10% discount off any base rental fee if the renter is an active member at the time of reservation or if a membership is purchased before final payment is due. Discount does not apply to rental add-ons. Discount may not be used in conjunction with any other offers.

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.

Non-profit organizations receive a 10% discount off any base rental fee. Discount does not apply to rental add-ons. A federal ID number and tax-exempt form must be submitted with the rental agreement to receive the discount. Discount may not be used in conjunction with any other offers.

There are several food options when hosting your event at Cosley Zoo. You can choose anything from pizza delivery to full-service catering. You may also choose to bring in your own food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Cosley Zoo offers a preferred vendor list (PDF) for those looking to have a caterer on-site during their event.

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed during daytime events. If you are interested in having beer and wine at your event, please see our evening rental options.
hedgehogAdd a special visit from our animal ambassadors to your event. A Cosley Zoo team member will bring 3 live animals for a 20-30 minute animal encounter. An additional fee applies; please see the specific rental space for the animal visit option.

Animal visits must be scheduled at least two weeks prior to your event date.

Pets/outside animals are not allowed on zoo grounds.

Music and entertainment (face painters, magicians, etc.) are permitted with the approval of the zoo and may need to provide a certificate of insurance naming Cosley Zoo as additionally insured.

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.)

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