Start Your St. Patrick’s Weekend at the Zoo

St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Greater Des Moines (DSM) is known for its lively energy, packed bars and festive parade. For many, the fun starts early, with experiences that set the tone for a full weekend of music, drinks and time with friends. In recent years, more people have started looking for new ways to kick things off earlier in the day, before heading out for dinner or downtown festivities.

Zoo Brew Pop-Up in Greater Des Moines

This year, Blank Park Zoo is offering something a little different. On Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., guests are invited to Luck of the Zoo: Zoo Brew Pop-Up, an after-hours event that works perfectly as an early evening outing before dinner plans, celebrations or a night downtown. You can enjoy live Irish music, local beverages and animal encounters while the sun begins to set, making it an easy and memorable way to kick off the holiday weekend.

This new event offers a unique and distinctly local way to begin the celebration. Experience Iowa’s iconic zoo without the kids. Wander through the zoo grounds while enjoying live music and sip a drink in a relaxed atmosphere. Rather than competing with the city’s nightlife, it adds an unexpected layer that blends wildlife, culture and community into the holiday weekend.

Zoo Brew Pop-Ups like this offer a taste of the full Zoo Brew experience that has taken place at Blank Park Zoo every summer for the last 21 years. While many may think of the zoo being only for kids, these 21+ events serve as a reminder that the Zoo is not just a daytime destination, but a place that contributes to Des Moines’ vibrant social scene and celebrates the city in its own memorable way. The Zoo in the early evening feels different than the middle of the day. Pathways are quieter and many animals begin transitioning into their evening routines. Luck of the Zoo encourages you to wander, pause and enjoy the atmosphere rather than rushing through each habitat. Live music from The Des Moines Irish Session will fill the Zoo with traditional jigs and reels from 5 to 6 p.m., creating a welcoming and lively atmosphere throughout the grounds.

Sampling stations located around the Zoo will feature local Iowa breweries including Big Grove Brewery, Confluence Brewing Company and Paws & Pints Brewing Company. Guests can enjoy a variety of beverages, including Irish ales, green howlers, domestic and craft beer and nonalcoholic options, and may choose to add festive green coloring to their drink at each bar. Each stop also provides green beads as a fun way to mark your route through the Zoo. The event is designed so you can casually explore, see animals, grab a drink and still continue your evening plans afterward. Reese’s Roadside Eats & Treats will be on site serving cheeseburgers, tenderloins and other casual favorites for anyone looking for a quick bite before heading to their next destination.

Zoo Brew Pop-Ups are intentionally designed to feel flexible and approachable. Unlike larger ticketed events that encourage guests to stay for several hours, this experience allows visitors to drop in, explore at their own pace and build the evening around their own plans. That flexibility has become a key reason these pop-ups remain popular, especially for guests looking to balance social time with other commitments throughout the weekend.

Behind the scenes, Zoo Brew Pop-Ups require careful coordination between event staff, animal care teams and local partners. Beverage locations are placed with animal comfort in mind, music volumes are thoughtfully managed and lighting is kept subtle to maintain a calm environment. The result is an event that feels lively for guests while remaining respectful of the animals that call the Zoo home. While the atmosphere feels social and relaxed, the animals remain the focus of the experience. Blank Park Zoo is home to more than 200 species and over 2,000 individual animals. During evening hours, some species settle in while others become more alert and active. The Discovery Center offers a chance to walk through a free flight aviary where over 40 individual birds move throughout the space, and nearby aquariums feature a variety of fish and amphibians. Throughout the event, zookeepers and educators will host keeper chats and answer questions about the animals in their care, sharing information about diets, training, enrichment and daily routines.

Say Hello to Blank Park Zoo's Newest Resident

This year, guests may also spot the Zoo’s newest resident, Blanca. On January 21, 2026, cotton-top tamarin parents Kida and Eddie welcomed the baby girl to their troop. She spends most of her time clinging to the backs of her family members as they move through branches, occasionally peeking out at the world around her. Her birth marks the third consecutive year the Zoo has celebrated a cotton-top tamarin arrival and she is the fifth offspring for Kida and Eddie since arriving in 2023 as part of a breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.

 

Blanca’s name celebrates both Blank Park Zoo’s 60th anniversary in 2026 and Colombia, where cotton-top tamarins are native. Meaning “white” in Spanish, the name reflects the species’ distinctive white crest and honors the Blank family, whose initial investment helped establish the Zoo in 1966.

Cotton-top tamarins are among the most endangered primates in the world, with fewer than 6,000 remaining in the wild. They live only in the tropical dry forests of northern Colombia, where habitat loss and illegal pet trade have greatly reduced their population. They live in small family groups called troops, typically made up of two to 10 individuals led by a dominant breeding pair. Other members help care for infants by carrying and protecting them, a behavior you may notice while the troop helps care for Blanca.

Blanca’s birth contributes to a larger conservation effort. The Species Survival Plan coordinates breeding across accredited zoos to maintain healthy genetic populations and support the future of the species. Blank Park Zoo also supports Proyecto Tití, a conservation organization working directly in Colombia to protect cotton-top tamarins in their natural habitat by restoring forest habitat, reducing illegal wildlife trade and working with communities to create sustainable solutions.

Events like the Luck of the Zoo: Zoo Brew Pop-Up play an important role in supporting conservation efforts at Blank Park Zoo and beyond. By attending, guests directly contribute to the care of animals at the Zoo as well as conservation initiatives happening far beyond its gates. A portion of every dollar spent at the Zoo goes directly toward conservation work, making each visit more than just a fun night out.

Local partnerships further strengthen that impact. Featuring Iowa breweries and musicians highlights the Zoo’s deep connection to the community and reinforces its role as a gathering place that brings people together. Supporting local businesses while enjoying a one-of-a-kind setting creates a shared investment in the Zoo’s mission and its future.

Luck of the Zoo provides a chance to start the evening with friends, enjoy a drink while exploring the Zoo and still have the rest of the night ahead. You can stop by for an hour or stay the whole time, making it an easy addition to any St. Patrick’s weekend plans. Along the way, you’ll experience wildlife, learn about conservation and maybe even leave with a favorite new animal.

For guests planning their visit, Luck of the Zoo is designed to be simple and stress-free. Comfortable shoes and layers are recommended for walking the pathways as the evening cools, and arriving early allows plenty of time to explore. Whether paired with dinner reservations, downtown plans or a quiet night in, the event offers a flexible and festive way to kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend. To learn more about the event and what Blank Park Zoo has to offer, visit BlankParkZoo.com.

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