Boston Lights Event Venue Rental

During Boston Lights, private events may be held in our Nature’s Pavilion Tent, a 40x60 tent with flooring and clear, movable sidewalls located within the Zoo's Nature's Neighborhood. This tent can seat up to 240 guests and additional seating is possible outside of the tent. 

A Boston Light Event Rental includes

• Exclusive access to the entire Nature's Neighborhood from 5:30 to 8:30 PM;
• A 30-minute period prior to the event for any set up you would like to do starting at 5:00 PM;  
• Tables and seating for your guests (set up by the Zoo);  
• Tables and linens for catering;  
• Table covers for dining tables;
• Catering staff;
• Event Staff Liaison;  
• Clean up and removal of trash/recycling by the Zoo;
• Guest access to Boston Lights until it closes at 10:30 PM; and  
• Free parking.

Rate

$3,000
The Zoo offers a 10% discount off this rental rate for non-profit entities and Zoo members.

Event Timing and Guest Access

To prepare for Boston Lights each afternoon, the Zoo closes between 5:00 and 6:00 PM in August and September. Your guests may check in for the event at 5:30 PM, but they must remain in Nature’s Neighborhood until Boston Lights opens at 6:00 PM. After 6:00 PM, your guests have exclusive, private access to Nature’s Neighborhood. Your guests are welcome to enjoy Boston Lights after your Event until the Zoo closes at 10:30PM.  (From October 1 through November 2, the Zoo will close between 4:00 and 5:00 PM to prepare for Boston Lights.) 

Boston Lights Event Admission Fees

Admissions fee for Boston Lights are not included in the Boston Lights Event Venue Rental and must be purchased in addition to the venue rental. The admission rate is $18/person.

As Boston Lights is a specially ticketed event, Boston Lights admissions must also be purchased for Zoo members. Children under the age of 2, however, may enter Boston Lights at no cost. 

Optional Boston Lights Event Enhancements

• Animal Encounters (at the venue location): $100 per animal  
• Face Painter or Caricature Artist: $200/hour each  
• Photo Booth: Rates vary/please inquire  
• Disc Jockey: Rates vary/please inquire  

Catering

Sodexo Live! is the Zoo’s exclusive caterer and provides all food, beverage and bar service for corporate events. Outside catering is not permitted. Sodexo is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary restrictions.

Sodexo's Catering Manager will be your contact for all food, beverages and bar service.

Sodexo requires its own contract and will invoice you separately.

If you have additional questions, Sodexo’s Catering Manager, Alejandra Richardson, can be reached directly at Alejandra.Richardson@sodexo.com.

The Zoo does offer food and alcohol for sale to all during Boston Lights.

Animal Visibility

During Boston Lights, the Zoo’s animals are not on exhibit.

The animals residing inside Nature’s Neighborhood, however, will remain on exhibit for the earlier hours of an event.  At the same time, animals inside Nature’s Neighborhood may not be viewable due to animal choice, changes in the animal collection, weather conditions and actions to promote the health and well-being of the animals.

Important Boston Lights Event Rental Information

Reservation

A non-refundable payment of 100% of your venue rental fee and a signed contract are required to secure your event on our calendar. The rental fee must be received no later than thirty (30) days prior to the event date. The Zoo will consider an event cancelled, and services will not be provided, if a payment and signed contract are not received by that date.
The final balance for the event, including enhancements, admissions and any other accrued equipment or vendor charges, will be billed after your event and will be payable within ten (10) business days of your receipt of the invoice.

Rain or Shine/Cancellation Policy

Absent a safety issue and/or severe weather causing the Zoo to close, events take place Rain or Shine (rain or light snow is not severe weather). The Zoo will not transfer your guests’ admission tickets to another date unless the Zoo closes. If the Zoo closes, ZNE will provide a full refund of the payments made to date. Otherwise, all fees paid are non-refundable.

Venue Access/Event Materials

You will have a scheduled set-up window that will be determined based on the contracted event time. Additional time may be requested (at a cost), but is not guaranteed. The Zoo cannot accommodate the early drop-off of event materials and we do not provide storage facilities for events. All items needed for events must be brought on the day of the event and removed immediately after unless prior arrangements are made with the Event Coordinator.

If you must ship items to the Zoo for the event, you must make advance arrangements with the Event Coordinator. Each shipment may incur a handling fee of up to $50 per shipment. All deliveries must be delivered during normal shipping hours and within 2 days of the event. The Zoo is not responsible for late deliveries.

There is a $150 removal fee for any leftover company-related, branded, or promotional materials and/or giveaway items.

Outside Vendors/Music/Entertainment

Outside vendors are permitted, subject to prior approval by the Zoo. For the safety of our animals, entertainment allowances will vary based on the venue.

All outside vendors must be in contact with the Event Coordinator no later than two (2) weeks prior to the event date to coordinate delivery times, loading areas, set-up locations and pick-up schedule. Zoo staff cannot transport vendors or equipment in or outside the Zoo.
All music is subject to a sound check. The Zoo reserves the right to ask to lower or silence any music that is bothersome to any of its animals.

Décor, Giveaways and Restricted Items

For the safety and wellbeing of our animal collection and our guests, the following items are prohibited on Zoo grounds:
• Balloons
• Confetti
• Glitter
• Rice and Seeds
• Streamers
• Yo-Yos
• Silly string
• Squirt guns
• Pompoms
• Piñatas without pull-strings
• Laser pointers
• Kinetic Sand
• Pets (service animals welcome)
• Bicycles, roller blades/skates, scooters, skateboards, any riding apparatus (except wheelchairs or disability aids)
• Drones
• Frisbees and kites
• Any balls, hacky sacks
• Games involving throwing or striking objects
• Bullhorns, noisemakers and whistles
• Radios/speakers played at high volume and/or heavy bass
• Plastic straws (juice boxes ok)
• Glass bottles
• Styrofoam products
• Alcoholic beverages
• Open flames (LEDs ok)
• Grills or heating elements
• Fireworks
• Sparklers
• Cap guns
• Smoking
• Weapons of any kind (guns, knives, etc.)

All décor, giveaways, handouts and prizes must be pre-approved by the Event Coordinator; feel free to ask if you are unsure if items are permitted.

Directions, Parking and Public Transportation to Boston Lights

Free parking is available in the Zoo’s three parking lots and along Circuit Drive. All parking is available on a first come, first served basis, and there is no reserved parking for event guests. Please note that guest vehicles are not allowed inside Zoo grounds unless cleared by the Event Coordinator.

More information regarding directions and parking can be found here: Franklin Park Zoo Directions and Franklin Park Zoo Parking Map. Information on public transportation options can be found here: www.mbta.com.

Charter Bus Rentals

If you need transportation for a corporate event, CharterUP offers private bus rentals to Franklin Park Zoo. Browse their Boston bus rental options and find the best fit for your team.

Smoking

To ensure the health of our guests, animals and staff, the Zoo is smoke-free and tobacco-free. This includes e-cigarettes. Guests will be asked to put out their smoke and may be escorted from the premises for noncompliance.

Accessibility

All parking areas and walkways to Nature’s Neighborhood and Franklin Farm are wheelchair accessible. The Zoo has traditional and motorized scooters available for rent for an additional fee. The Event coordinator can assist with these arrangements. Service dogs are welcome at the Zoo.

Questions?
Contact us at 617-989-2009 or rentals@zoonewengland.org.

Event Request Form

Tell us about your event!

Please complete the form below so that we can start planning an outstanding experience for you. On behalf of Zoo New England’s animals and staff, thank you again for your interest in hosting a corporate event with us!