An adults-only mystery adventure is taking over the Calgary Zoo this August

The Calgary Zoo’s Locked Zoo experience is bringing an adults-only mystery adventure to the city, allowing you to explore the zoo after-hours once the daytime crowds have cleared out.

This 18+ event invites guests to step into a mystery where they’ll need to work together, follow clues and put their problem-solving skills to the test.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s waiting inside this after-hours experience.

What to expect during the Locked Zoo experience

According to the Calgary Zoo, the experience will follow a fictional wildlife station in the highlands of Bhutan that has gone silent after a strange final broadcast. Something has affected the behaviour of the area’s snow leopards, Sichuan takin, and red pandas, and it’s up to teams to search for clues and find out what happened.

You’ll have a total of four hours to work through the challenge, giving you plenty of time to explore the zoo and piece together the mystery.

After following clues and putting your detective skills to work, you might have worked up an appetite, and luckily, dinner is included with your ticket.

When it’s time to refuel, guests can pick from three menu options, including buttermilk crispy chicken tacos, classic Alberta beef dip, or a coconut-braised sweet potato curry that’s gluten-free and dairy-free.

Tickets, pricing, and timing

The Locked Zoo experience will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 and will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $59 plus GST and include a dinner box for guests to enjoy during the adventure.

Tickets must be purchased online ahead of time, and it’s important to note that this is an 18+ event, so unfortunately, you can’t bring the kids along with you for this one. Guests should also bring a valid government-issued ID, as proof of age may be required upon entry.

A cell phone is also required to participate in this experience, as teams will use their devices to complete tasks and move through different parts of the challenge. Since there are no wifi or charging stations on-site, it’s best to come with a fully charged phone with a data package.

So, if you love visiting the Calgary Zoo but want to skip the busy summer crowds, the Locked Zoo is giving you a pretty cool reason to stop by after dark. Grab your smartest friends, put on your detective hat, and see if you can crack the case before the night comes to an end.

When: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 210 St. George’s Dr. NW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: $59+ GST

Recent posts:
You can explore military vehicles and meet rescue teams at this two-day Calgary event
A 150-year-old horseback tradition is returning to Alberta this summer

Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

Read articles