This event is fully accessible.
Our Bear Weekend celebrations at Whipsnade Zoo have now finished. Find out what events are coming up.
Join us on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May for a whole weekend celebrating our European brown bears, from talks, activities, quizzes, and crafts, there's fun for all the family.
Why are we celebrating Bear Weekend?
Bears have a long history in European Folklore, as well as being a keystone species in European ecosystems. Healthy bear numbers are a sign of a healthy, productive forest environment, rich in herbs, mushrooms, forest fruits and wild animal. Whilst we no longer have bears in the UK, ZSL is working to restoring habitats and protecting important species such as the European brown bear. Join us over the weekend to learn more about how we look after our bears and the conservation work we do to protect this magnificent species.
What Bear Weekend activities* are taking place, and when and where will they be?
Our bear gazebo and activities will be located on the main lawn behind the Birds of the World arena. Activities include bear related games and crafts, bear biofact touch table, as well as free scheduled quizzes with chance to win prizes. These quizzes will take place at 12pm and 4pm.
There will also be bear talks at 11:30am and 2:30pm, as well as a bear keeper Q&A at 2:45pm. The talks and keeper Q&A will be located by the bear habitat in Europe.
You can also take part in our bear picnic. This is an exclusive paid-for experience, costing £7.50. If you want to take part, purchase a voucher from the main shop, which you then exchange for a lunch box at our bear gazebos. Design and decorate these lunchboxes to your hearts content before giving them back to the staff. You can then watch your lunchbox being given to our bears by the keepers at 3pm. T&C's apply.
- Tickets for this experience can only be purchased on the day at the Main Shop between the opening of the shop and 1 hour before the experience takes place.
- Tickets cost £7.50. Ticket holders will be given 1 lunchbox to be decorated. Boxes will then be filled with a portion of food provided by zookeepers.
- This activity is suitable for any age.
- There are 24 tickets available each day, sold on a first come first served basis.
- Due to animal welfare, only the keepers can put out the lunch boxes for the animals. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to watch this happening from the public viewing area.
- Failure to adhere to staff instructions, could result in termination of your experience without a refund.
Member, Fellow and Patron special: Collect a bear pin badge!
Over the weekend, you can snap up your very own free pin badge to celebrate our bears. Simply pop over to the bear gazebos on the main lawn between 11am and 5pm, and show your membership card to a staff member. But hurry, the pin badges are limited and will be handed out on a first-come first-served basis.
How to take part
All our regular Bear Weekend activities are included in the cost of your ticket or membership. There are opportunities for exclusive Bear Weekend content that will incur an additional cost. Additional talks and demonstrations are also happening throughout Bear Weekend so download the Whipsnade Zoo app for the latest talks times, interactive map, and other useful information.
*All events and activities are subject to change. Some activities are at an additional cost.
Become a Zoo member and you can also enjoy a whole year of unlimited Zoo visits including other animal celebration days!
Plan your day with the Whipsnade Zoo app to get the most from your visit. Explore with step-by-step navigation to your favourite animals, habitats, or eateries. Keep up to date with all the latest talk times so you won't miss a thing.
