Child feeding an animal, muzzle up close (123RF)
GERMANY
Hannover Adventure Zoo Christmas Garden | Hannover | Nov. 21-Jan 5, 2025
Gut Auderbichl Free-Roaming Animal Christmas Market | Henndorf | Nov. 15-Jan. 6, 2025
Christmas Garden Stuttgart 2024 at Wilhelma-Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten | Stuttgart | Nov. 15-Jan.12, 2025
Gut Aiderbichl Free-Roaming Animal Advent Market | Iffeldorf, Deggendorf | Nov. 30-Jan. 6, 2025
Bear Christmas | Bad Rippoldsau-Shapbach | Dec. 14
At the Alternative Wolf and Bear Park in the heart of the Black Forest you can enjoy a cozy Christmas market, participate in a tombola or raffle for a good cause, enjoy a unique theater experience and go on a torchlit hike through the wildlife refuge.
Winter at the Zoo Christmas Walk | Kaiserslautern | Dec. 26
Neunkirchen Zoo Christmas Market | Neunkirchen | Dec. 12-22
Neunkirchen Zoo Up-Close Animal Feeding Experiences | Neunkirchen | Year round
Llama Hike in the Palatinate Forest | Annweiler and Völkersweiler | Year round
FINLAND
World Dog Show | Helsinki | Aug. 8-10, 2025
A huge event for dog lovers! The FCI has chosen Helsinki to host their annual world dog show in 2025, where 356 breeds will be showcased and celebrated. Watch dogs from all over the world navigate obstacles and sit pretty to find out which fluffy friend will win “Best in Show.”
Baltic Herring Market | Helsinki | Oct. 2025
Reindeer Day | Saariselka | Nov. 24-April 9, 2025
GREECE
Dalmatian Pelicans and Meteora Monasteries Photo Tour | Thessaloniki | Jan. 17-27, 2025
Combining ancient birds and ancient landscapes, this photography tour is in north central Greece features the wintering sites of Dalmatian Pelicans whose origins date back to nearly 30 million years. The pelicans like to perch on the stone monasteries of Meteora, making for incredible photo opportunities and traveling experiences.
Valley of the Butterflies | Rhodes | Year round
National Marine Park of Alonissos | Sporades | Year round
SPAIN
Poema del Mar Aquarium | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | Open year round
This family-operated aquarium is designed to be one of the most energy-efficient and eco-friendly aquariums in Europe. It features three different zones: jungle, tropical, and deep ocean, making it immersive in more ways than one. They are conservation-centered, and you can see up to 550 species of marine life.
Running of the Bulls | Pamplona | July 6-14, 2025
Dolphin Watching Adventure | Estepona Bay | March-Oct. annually
Cantabrian Brown Bear Watching | Cantabria | May-Sept. annually
Madrid Zoo: Sea Lion Educational Activity | Madrid | Daily, year round
THE NETHERLANDS
Camel Dairy Smits Camel Safari | Berlicum | Year round
In this unique experience, you can learn about camels, the origins of camel dairy and benefits of drinking camel milk. You can ride, pet and cuddle the camels after the safari and also feed the calves. For even more adventure, you can try your hand at baking camel milk waffles in the farm restaurant. There are safaris offered in English.
Blijdorp Zoo | Rotterdam | Open year round
Slagharen Wild West Theme Park and Resort | Slagharen | Open year round
Release Rehabilitated Seals into the Wadden Sea | Pieterburen and Lauwersoog | Select dates throughout the year.
AUSTRIA
House of the Sea | Vienna | Open year round
BELGIUM
Brussels Dog Show | Brussels | Dec. 14-15
Carnival of Bears | Benelux | March 2025 TBD
Elephant Keeper Talks: Antwerp Zoo | Antwerp | Daily, year round
CZECHIA
House of the Falconer Exhibit | Prague Castle | Year round
Euro Dog Show | Brno | April 10-13, 2025
FRANCE
Horse in Majesty Exhibit | Palace of Versailles | July 2-Nov.3
Breakfast with the Monkeys | Kintzheim | Through Nov. 11, 2024
ZooParc de Beauval | St. Aignan | Open year round
Parc de la Tête | Lyon | Open year round
Du Prem Alpaca Farm | Maleville | Open year round (closed on Sundays)
IRELAND and THE U.K.
Scottish Seabird Center Wildlife Tours | North Berwick | Sept.-Dec.
Orkney Nature Festival | Orkney | May 2025 TBD
101 Dalmatians: The Musical | Touring throughout the U.K. | Until Jan. 5, 2025
Blue Shark Snorkel | Cornwall | June-Oct. annually
The Shetland Pony Experience | Burra, Shetland | May-Sept. annually
Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterfly Sanctuary | Devon | year round
ITALY
The Palio (Horse Race) | Sienna | July 2 and Aug. 16, 2025
Palio (Race) of the Donkeys | Torrita di Siena | March 23, 2025
Genoa Aquarium- Europe’s Largest Aquarium | Genoa | Open year round
Tour of the Wild at Naples Zoo | Naples | Year round
POLAND
Wroclaw Zoo and Africarium | Wroclaw | Open year round
Bison Safari and Wolf Tracking | Bialowieza | Select dates through Dec. 2025
PORTUGAL
Swim with Dolphins | Azures | Oct-April annually
SWITZERLAND
Watch and Feed Marmots | Spielboden | April-Oct.
Return of Cattle Parade | Plaffeien | Sept. 20, 2025 most likely
