By 1808Delaware
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is preparing a birthday celebration too large for a single weekend. Under the theme “100 Years Wild,” the Delaware County attraction will mark its centennial throughout 2027. Newly announced plans include a winter light show, fundraising events, and a community celebration September 18 and 19, 2027. Explore the anniversary announcement.
Six Reindeer Started Something Big
The zoo traces its beginnings to Columbus publisher Harry “H.P.” Wolfe and Mayor James J. Thomas, who envisioned a local zoo after visiting Saint Louis. Wolfe brought six Alaskan reindeer to Columbus for Christmas in 1926, then donated them for public enjoyment. The zoo opened at its present Delaware County location on September 17, 1927.
Its later history includes milestones that reached beyond Central Ohio. Colo’s birth in 1956 made her the first gorilla born in professional care. She lived at the zoo until 2017. More recent chapters include the 2014 opening of Heart of Africa and the 2020 opening of Adventure Cove, which introduced California sea lions, harbor seals, and an underwater viewing tunnel. The zoo recounts those developments in its centennial history feature.
A Birthday Calendar Begins In Winter
A centennial light show at Conservation Lake is planned for January 1 through 3, 2027, with a return during Wildlights later that year.
RendeZOO, the zoo’s event for adults 21 and older, is scheduled for May 22. The Untamed conservation gala will mark the actual centennial on September 17, followed by the community weekend. Further anniversary details remain to be announced.
Families can begin celebrating on December 31, 2026, at Zoo Year’s Eve. The event page lists an 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM program with music, activities, character ambassadors, and a countdown to noon. Participation is included with paid zoo admission or membership.
History Hidden In A Logo
The anniversary also has a new visual identity created by the zoo’s own graphic designers.
Its shield shape draws on a historic zoo logo and the Asian Elephant Conservation Center. Five animal silhouettes face forward: an elephant, bald eagle, gorilla, cheetah, and snake. Each represents part of the institution’s story. The gorilla recalls Colo and subsequent generations. The eagle connects the design to native wildlife, while the snake acknowledges the historic Reptile Building. The cheetah represents scientific achievements, including the zoo’s cheetah cubs born through in vitro fertilization.
The zoo explains those choices in its guide to the centennial logo.
For visitors, the anniversary will offer more than dates to circle. The zoo’s centennial website will collect historical stories, behind-the-scenes features, and participation details as the year approaches.
