Como Zoo Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive Saint Paul, MN 55103
A family event to ring in the “Zoo” year that is so fun, we’re doing it twice! On December 31 and January 1 Como Park Zoo & Conservatory will be filled with dancing, games, special animal enrichment, and a KidsDance DJ!
All Is Not Quiet At Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
The Holiday Flower Show, now open in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, is a visual sensation to behold featuring hundreds of poinsettias. This year the Holiday show will include a variety of poinsettias including ‘Prestige Maroon’, ‘Jubilee Red’, and ‘Green Envy’. Variegated foliage, red kalanchoe, and pink euphorbias will accompany the poinsettia display.
The Holiday Flower Show tradition began in 1925 and continues to be the most anticipated flower attraction at the Conservatory today. The Holiday Flower Show will run through January 4, 2026.
Click to watch the Live GardenCam
Flurry of Activities In December
Storytime with Santa!
Wednesdays, December 10 & 17 – Noon
Santa will be visiting Como for Storytime on December 3, 10 & 17. Join us in the Visitor Center at 12:00pm, and 12:15pm to hear Santa read ’twas the Night Before Christmas. He’ll want to know if you’ve been naughty or nice!
Little Explorers Thursday! – Santa visits December 18 to read Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Thursdays December 4, 11 & 18, 10am – Noon
Little Explorers is perfect for the 1–3-year-old (but every age is welcome) to see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week! An ASL interpreter will be here most Thursdays interpreting the 11:00 Zookeeper Talk, and the 11:30am Blaze Sparky & Friends: Aquatic Encounters.
Santa needs a break from his workshop, so we invited him to visit Little Explorers on Thursday, December 18, for an encore reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Story times are 10:30 AM (with ASL interpretation) and 11 AM . Bring your littles to Little Explorers; stay for a classic holiday story and a great photo op with Santa
(there will be no Little Explorers on Christmas Day and New Years Day).
Sensory Friendly Morning
Saturday, December 6, 9AM
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is an energetic, colorful place full of sensory stimuli, and we know this environment can be overwhelming for some guests. This is a time designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families to explore the zoo without the crowds. Como strives to provide a positive, welcoming experience for every visitor. This program was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment.
Artist, Photographer, & Family Photo Hours
Sunday, December 7, 8am – 10am $5 per person
This exclusive morning session offers a special opportunity to capture the beauty of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory before it opens to the public. No registration required. $5 cash per person at the door. Bring your tripods, cameras, paint sets, or easels and enjoy a peaceful, creative experience surrounded by lush gardens and vibrant seasonal displays. It’s the perfect time to take family photos, senior portraits, or artistic shots in a serene setting.
Photos in the Gardens with Santa! Bring your camera!
December 7th 8AM – 10AM $5 per person
Santa visits the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory as part of our Artist, Photographer & Family Photo Mornings! This is the perfect opportunity to use the beautiful setting of the many gardens inside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory as a backdrop for holiday family photos.
Senior Strolls & Sunset Senior Strolls
December 9 4:30pm – 6pm December 16 9am – 10am
Senior Strolls and Sunset Senior Strolls are special times set aside just for those 55-and-better. This is an opportunity to visit the Conservatory for a leisurely walk before or after our busy normal business hours. This event is a great opportunity for Seniors to enjoy a less crowded experience that encourages being active and social with some adult learning to spice it up. This program was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment.
Red Cross Blood Drive
December 17th 9:00AM – 3:00PM
We are pleased to host a blood drive at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Sign-up now by clicking HERE!
“Wolves and Wild Lands”
Now through January 19th, 10AM – 4PM
A traveling exhibit from Ely, Minnesota’s International Wolf Center, in partnership with Outhouse Exhibit Services, Inc, entitled “Wolves and Wild Lands in the 21st Century” is now open in Como’s Exhibit Gallery.
The exhibit is comprised of six preserved taxidermy specimens: 5 wolves and a coyote, each presented in its human and natural-history context, along with graphics providing regional information that impacts each of these animals. Species included are Arctic Wolf, Mexican Wolf, Coyote, Red Wolf, Rocky Mountain Wolf, and the Great Plains Wolf. This exhibit was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment
Holiday Shopping in Garden Safari Gifts
Everyday, 10am – 4pm
Garden Safari Gifts combines the best of both the zoo and conservatory by featuring botanical soaps and lotions, distinctive jewelry, adorable stuffed animals, fun interactive children’s gifts, live plants, bonsai, apparel items and more! Buy that perfect holiday gift for that someone special.
Daily Schedule:
We are saddened to share that Ulysses, our 25 year old Plains zebra, passed away in the overnight hours between November 9 and 10.
Ulysses was born on April 13, 2000, at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and came to Como Zoo in January 2002. Over his 23 years here, he became one of the most familiar and recognizable residents at Como. If you’ve visited in the last 20 years, chances are you’ve met Ulysses. He roamed between both African Hoofstock habitats and made friends with whatever species he was living with at the time, including giraffe, tortoise, and ostrich. Keepers often joked that he was the “surrogate weird uncle” to many giraffe calves through the years.
Uly weighed around 550 pounds, enjoyed carrots and yam, and loved to nap in the sunshine. He sired ten offspring during his lifetime continuing his legacy beyond Como. Uly was the second oldest male Plains zebra in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) population.
A necropsy will help us better understand the cause of his passing, but for now our focus remains on supporting one another and the animals in our care.
Ulysses was part of Como for more than two decades, and his calm nature and steady presence made him a favorite among visitors and staff alike. He will be greatly missed.
🦓 Thank you for helping us remember Ulysses.
As part of Polar Bear Week, we’re hosting a special event on Friday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Polar Bear Lodge!
Visitors of all ages are invited to stop by and explore hands-on activities that celebrate polar bears and the people working to protect them. You can:
We’ll also share messages about empathy, wellbeing, and coexistence, reminding us that small actions can make a big difference for polar bears and their Arctic home.
💡 Special guests from Xcel Energy will join the celebration in the Polar Bear Odyssey exhibit area, right next to the Lodge! Stop by their table to learn about energy conservation, pick up a free LED lightbulb, and grab some fun giveaways while supplies last.
And don’t forget to explore even more during Polar Bear Week! Check out @PolarBearsInternational’s live webcasts, chats, and Polar Bear Cams from Churchill, Manitoba, to see wild polar bears waiting for the sea ice to return. Learn how you can make a difference for these incredible Arctic animals at pbears.org/polarbearweek.
🐾 Follow Como Park Zoo & Conservatory on Facebook as we share stories, photos, and fun facts about our own polar bears—Neil, Nan, Kulu, and Astra—throughout Polar Bear Week!
Join us to celebrate, learn, and take action for polar bears!
#PolarBearWeek #SaveOurSeaIce @PolarBearsInternational
Celebrate the colors of autumn with the Ikebana Flower Show! For one week only, artists from Ikebana International’s Minneapolis–St. Paul Chapter will fill the Ordway Garden with creative arrangements made from fall flowers, leaves, and berries.
For generations, visitors to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory have delighted in the simple joy of watching a Mold-A-Rama machine create a souvenir right before their eyes. Warm, colorful, and instantly nostalgic, these molded figures have been a favorite part of many family visits through the decades.
From gorillas and lions to sea lions and polar bears, Como’s Mold-A-Rama machines have captured memories in plastic since the 1960s. After disappearing for a time, they made a comeback in 2007, bringing back cherished memories for guests who remembered them from childhood and introducing a new generation to their magic.
Now, after nearly two decades back at Como, the Mold-A-Rama machines will soon be packing up and heading south. The company that owns and operates the Mold-A-Ramas has decided to relocate them to a region with a longer peak season and higher year-round attendance. While this was not a decision made by Como, we completely understand the company’s business choice and remain deeply thankful for the nostalgia and joy these machines have provided to our visitors for so many years.
“We are so grateful for the joy these machines have brought to our visitors,” said Katie Hill, President of Como Friends, the nonprofit organization that supports Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and oversees both the Mold-A-Rama machines and Como’s gift shop. “The Mold-A-Ramas have been a beloved part of the Como experience, and we know how special they’ve been for families who grew up with them.”
Visitors still have a short time to stop by and mold one last memory before the machines move on. Each purchase supports Como’s animals, gardens, and mission to keep Como free and accessible 365 days a year.
The machines will be removed Wednesday, November 5th. Come relive the Mold-A-Rama magic one more time—and take home a piece of Como history before it’s gone.
Our friends at FOX 9 stopped by to check out Como’s Bewitching Botanicals display — a Halloween-themed collection of some of our creepiest, smelliest, and most fascinating plants.
Garden Guy Dale K chatted with Horticulturist Victoria, who shared a closer look at spiky, poisonous, and even carnivorous plants that make this spooky display a seasonal favorite.
It’s a frightfully fun feature and a perfect excuse to visit our Boo-tanical Garden for a Halloween photo op! 👻
🎥 Watch the full segment below
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 – We’re thrilled to share that Astra, our four-year-old female polar bear, made her public debut today in the deep-water side of Polar Bear Odyssey!
Astra arrived Thursday evening from Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, as part of a nationwide conservation effort to ensure a healthy, sustainable population of polar bears in accredited zoos.
For now, Astra will remain separated from Como’s other bears, Kulu, Nan, and Neil, but they can all see, smell, and hear each other. These gradual introductions help the bears get used to one another safely and comfortably. Over the coming weeks and months, our animal care team will continue this slow and careful process, with hopes that Astra and Kulu will eventually form a special connection.
Come say hello to Astra during your next visit! Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 – We have big news to share….Como Park Zoo & Conservatory has a brand-new polar bear! 🌟
Astra, a four-year-old, 700-pound female polar bear, arrived safely at Como Zoo last evening from Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. Her move is part of a collaborative effort among accredited zoos to help ensure a bright future for this threatened species. Astra’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter for our Polar Bear Odyssey, and for all of us who love these amazing Arctic ambassadors!
While Astra settles into her new surroundings, she will spend some time behind the scenes in quarantine as part of her normal arrival process. During this period, she may not be visible to the public right away. Como’s animal care team will carefully monitor her adjustment and determine when she’s ready to explore the outdoor habitat. We’ll be sure to share updates, and announce her public debut, on our Facebook, Instagram, and X pages as soon as she’s ready!
Astra is here as part of a national conservation and breeding effort led by the Polar Bear Population Alliance (PBPA), a group of accredited zoos working together to maintain a sustainable and genetically diverse polar bear population in the United States. Como Zoo is proud to be a key partner in this effort — and even prouder that our very own Senior Zookeeper Allison Jungheim serves as the Polar Bear Program Leader, Studbook Keeper, and a member of the PBPA Management Group.
“Astra is a young, energetic bear with tremendous potential,” said Jungheim. “Her genetics are valuable to the population, and we’re optimistic that, in time, she and Kulu will form a strong bond that contributes to the sustainability of this threatened species. The next few weeks will be focused on helping her settle in and feel comfortable in her new surroundings.”
Astra’s journey to Como is extra special — she’ll eventually be paired with Kulu, our five-year-old male polar bear, as part of a carefully planned breeding recommendation. Together, they bring hope for future polar bear cubs, helping to secure the long-term health of the species in human care.
For now, Astra is getting settled behind the scenes in a spacious holding area and quarantine yard, where she can safely adjust to her new surroundings. She’ll be able to see, smell, and vocalize with Como’s other polar bears — Kulu, Nan, and Neil — but won’t share space with them until her quarantine period is complete.
We hope Astra will have access to the deep-water exhibit in Polar Bear Odyssey as early as this weekend, but that will depend on how she’s adjusting to her new home. Como Zoo has not yet announced a date for Astra’s public debut. Guests are encouraged to follow Como Park Zoo & Conservatory on social media for the latest updates on when you can see her splashing, exploring, and getting to know her new habitat!
Como Zoo’s award-winning Polar Bear Odyssey was designed with cubs in mind. The habitat features 13,140 square feet of outdoor space, a 3,260-square-foot holding building with large indoor bedrooms, natural light, pools, and even a special cub den. Our experienced animal care team is ready to provide Astra with the very best care as she settles in.
“This is a hopeful new chapter not only for Como Zoo but for the entire AZA polar bear community,” said Erica Prosser, Director of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. “Astra’s arrival reflects our commitment to collaborative conservation and showcases the trust placed in Como’s animal care program.”
Como Zoo has cared for polar bears for more than 40 years and is currently home to three incredible bears: Kulu (5), Nan (30), and Neil (29). Nan and Neil, two of the oldest polar bears in North America, serve as beloved ambassadors for their species — inspiring all of us to take action to protect polar bears in the wild.
Stay tuned for updates, photos, and videos as Astra settles in — we can’t wait for you to meet her!
On the heels of welcoming Astra the polar bear last week, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is excited to introduce two new residents: Khomas, a 7-year-old male weighing 825 pounds, and his son Keanu, a 1-year-old estimated at 550 pounds.
The duo arrived from Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and are Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras, a hardy subspecies native to the rugged, rocky regions of southwestern Africa. These zebras are known for being well-suited to cooler climates—which means guests may see them outdoors longer into Minnesota’s shoulder seasons. They’re also typically taller and heavier than the Plains zebras many visitors are used to seeing.
Khomas and Keanu have joined Ulysses, Como’s longtime 25-year-old Plains zebra, in the zebra yard—giving visitors a rare opportunity to see both species side by side. Their introductions went beautifully. Keepers observed calm, curious behavior, along with eating and even rolling in the sand—clear signs of relaxed, content zebras.
“We introduced the zebras right away because, in theory, all three males are unbonded and naturally seek to form a herd,” said Senior Zookeeper Jill Erzar. “It’s been wonderful to see how smoothly the introductions have gone and how comfortable they already seem in their new surroundings.”
Guests are invited to come meet Khomas, Keanu, and Ulysses—especially during MEA Break, when many families visit Como for a fall adventure.
Looking ahead to spring, the zebras will be joined by cranes, nyala, and tortoises, creating a lively, mixed-species habitat inspired by the African grasslands.
The City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department announced today that Erica Prosser has been named as Director of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
Prosser had been serving in the role on an interim basis, where she quickly gained recognition from staff and partners for her strong leadership, inclusive decision making, and dedication to building on Como’s legacy of excellence as a community resource.
“Erica has demonstrated she is the right leader for Como Park Zoo and Conservatory,” said Andy Rodriguez, Director of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. “Under her direction, we are confident that Como will continue to inspire visitors, strengthen conservation and education efforts, and remain an impactful community asset for generations to come.”
Prosser brings more than 15 years of public sector leadership experience, including as Deputy Director for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, where she provides executive leadership across seven divisions. She has championed several youth services initiatives, including Saint Paul’s youth jobs program, Right Track, which provides meaningful career opportunities, professional skills training, and mentorship to young people across the city.
“Erica leads with clarity, compassion, and a deep commitment to public service,” said Mayor Melvin Carter. “Her leadership will not only preserve Como’s cherished legacy, but also shape a future that’s more inclusive, engaging, and innovative for all who visit.”
Her extensive background includes strategic and business planning, municipal budgeting, program implementation, and authentic community engagement. Throughout her career, with the Minneapolis Fire Department, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, and the City of Minneapolis, Prosser has consistently focused on equity, innovation, and investing in employees.
“Erica brings a fresh but deeply informed perspective to the future of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory,” said Katie Hill, Como Friends President. “At Como Friends, we believe Erica’s vision, experience, and dedication to community engagement will strengthen Como’s legacy as one of Minnesota’s most cherished cultural institutions while guiding it toward an exciting new chapter.”
As Director of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Prosser will continue to serve on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Executive Team, helping to ensure strong connections across the system.
🎃 Slither in over MEA break, October 18 – 19, and get eyeball-to-eyeball with some of our resident creepy crawly bugs and spiders 🕷️
Summer Flower Show 2026
June 12 through September 13 , 2026
Fall down a rabbit hole of dark colored flowers and foliage, pastel roses, and red flowers in a summer display inspired by the story, Alice in Wonderland. Tall cypress open into a garden tea party of cup shaped leaves, saucers of succulents, and soft pastels. Crimson flowers represent the red queen and take center stage as you progress along the garden path through this whimsical summer display.
Sponsoring a garden is a unique way to keep the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory growing strong. Your donations help to plant thriving gardens, grow new programs, and preserve the Conservatory’s historic character for generations to come. Find out more by clicking HERE.
🍂 Shorter days, shorter hours! Beginning September 2 through April 30, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory will be open 10:00am – 4:00pm daily. That’s still plenty of time to see your favorite animals, soak in the gardens, and enjoy a dose of nature (before dinner)!
Don’t worry—we’ll spring back to our longer 10:00am – 6:00pm hours in May. Until then, plan a cozy daytime visit and make the most of those daylight hours with us. 🌿🦒🌸
Last chance!
Don’t miss your opportunity to experience our Summer Flower Show, closing this Sunday at 4pm!
This show is unlike anything we’ve ever done at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. It’s BIG, bold, and breathtakingly beautiful, with bromeliads, hibiscus, and citrus trees growing alongside a stunning mix of tropical annuals.
If you’ve been waiting to visit, now’s the time. Come soak in the colors, the fragrance, and the sheer scale of this spectacular summer display before it’s gone.
The show ends Sunday at 4pm — see it BIG, see it BEAUTIFUL, see it before it’s gone!
The Sunken Garden will be closed September 15-18 to prepare for the Fall Flower Show opening September 19.
Meet Ombe (short for Ombelahy), a 13-year-old male, and Wicket, a 7-year-old female ring-tailed lemur who recently arrived from the Milwaukee County Zoo in June.
After completing their quarantine, Ombe and Wicket are now exploring our indoor lemur habitat at their own pace. In the coming months, they’ll be gradually introduced to our pair of blue-eyed black lemurs once they’re comfortable with shifting on and off habitat and with their new surroundings.
Ring-tailed lemurs are part of the Species Survival Program (SSP), which helps ensure healthy, genetically diverse populations in zoos. They’re also among the most vocal primates—using at least 28 different calls to communicate with their troop, from friendly chatter to alarm calls that warn of potential danger.
Stop by the indoor habitat to see if you can spot Ombe and Wicket settling into their new Como home—we’re so excited to have them here!
COMO offers stunning venues to hold corporate events, meetings, birthday parties or weddings
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