What’s New At The John Ball Zoo For the 2025 Season

Spring has sprung, which means the 134th season of the John Ball Zoo just kicked off, which is a celebration of good times ahead for a lot of us in the Grand Rapids area.

As a newer mom, finding fun, engaging, and affordable ways to spend time with my toddler around town is super important to me. That’s getting our family membership at John Ball Zoo has been one of the best financial decisions we’ve made.

What's new? All of the animals who came to the John Ball Zoo last season ⬇️

My son and I love strolling through the zoo on weekday afternoons, taking in the sights and sounds of the animals, and making special memories together. His absolute favorites? The penguins and the fish. Conveniently, those exhibits are in an air-conditioned space which is absolutely perfect for escaping the summer heat while still enjoying the experience.

This season, there’s even more to be excited about at the John Ball Zoo. Now that they’re officially open for the 134th year, they’ve been hard at work making improvements.

First you’ll find two new lions, Amara and Upepo, have joined the zoo. As for some of the animals we already know and love, some new climbing structures and enrichment features have been added to their exhibits. Plus, the staff at JBZ is continuing work on their highly anticipated African expansion and a brand-new sea lion exhibit towards the front of the zoo, which will eventually include an underwater viewing area.

And let’s not forget the annual Lantern Festival, running from April 9 to June 15. If you’ve never seen the zoo transformed into a glowing, magical wonderland at night, this is the must go time of the year to visit.

It’s even beautiful during the day, too!

Whether you’re a parent looking for a go-to spot to entertain your kids or just someone who loves animals, now is the perfect time to check out all the exciting new things happening here in Grand Rapids at the John Ball Zoo.