As the last rain clouds dissolved into a crisp Texas evening, the Dallas Zoo transformed into a glowing wonderland.
More than 800 guests arrived at Zoo To Do 2025: Nocturne to celebrate the Zoo’s mission of “Engaging People & Saving Wildlife,” but what made the night unforgettable wasn’t just the music or the menu — it was the magic of being surrounded by the magnificent animals.
Guests were greeted by the Zoo’s Animal Adventures team, a porcupine shuffled along its tree limb, and a group of elegant flamingos craned their heads gracefully, as if inspecting the arriving guests.
A short ride on the zoo cart brought guests deeper into the savanna, where the giraffes were out in full splendor, long necks silhouetted against the sunset.
A volunteer handed me a comically oversized leaf of lettuce, and I extended it upward toward a particularly regal looking giraffe named Kipenzi. Her blue-black tongue wrapped around the leaf with delicate precision, chewing with the slow contentment of someone who knows she’s the star of the show.
Nearby, the lions — usually lounging out of sight — had decided to join the party. The trio emerged from the shadows, pacing and stretching as if they, too, wanted a better look at the crowd.
As the night unfolded, winding paths led through the Wilds of Africa, where the scent of grilled delicacies floated through the air. Nearly 40 of Dallas’s most celebrated chefs had transformed the zoo’s pathways into a culinary safari.
Each stop offered something new and irresistible — buttery seared scallops with citrus glaze, smoky brisket sliders with tangy slaw, delicate tuna tartare in crisp wonton cones, and pillowy bites of lobster mac and cheese that melted on the tongue.
A few stations leaned into comfort, serving truffle-topped pasta, jalapeño cornbread, and miniature chicken and waffle bites drizzled with honey butter. Others offered unexpected delights, from spicy shrimp tacos with mango salsa to silky chocolate mousse served in tiny cones.
Between bites, I wandered toward the Simmons Hippo Hut, where the night’s most unexpected entertainers awaited.
The hippos, perhaps sensing the attention, were in rare form — rolling, splashing, and even playfully pushing each other through the water. The crowd erupted in laughter each time one resurfaced with a dramatic snort.
When Dallas Zoo CEO Lisa New took the stage to announce the $1.5 million that had been raised for the Zoo’s conservation work, the applause felt as much for the animals as for the people who made it possible.
Event chairs Ryan Ross and Robbie Kruithoff thanked the supporters. “Because of you, the Dallas Zoo continues to advance world-class animal care, keeping the Zoo accessible to our entire community, delivering meaningful educational programs, and continually innovating with new, breathtaking habitats — creating a brighter future for wildlife and for Dallas.”
By the end of the night, I’d eaten like royalty, and witnessed lions, giraffes, hippos, flamingos, and even a porcupine put on a show no human performer could rival. As I left, clutching a warm Tiff’s Treats cookie, I took a final glimpse of the glowing enclosures and felt a sense of wonder.
Zoo To Do wasn’t just an event — it was an experience that reminded us how thrilling it can be to share a night with the wild.