Welcome to Wildlife West Nature Park - New Mexico's Premier Enhanced Zoo!

Events & Entertainment

As part of Wildlife West's continuous program of improvement and enhancement, we have developed an outstanding set of facilities for holding concerts, special events, festivals, catered functions, wildlife presentations, and a variety of festivals. We also host events for local theater companies and other organizations. Our covered amphitheater, fully-enclosed event barn, gazebo, outdoor areas for large events, and catering capabilities make Wildlife West a popular spot for events of all kinds. Special features such as parking lot shuttles and hayrides through the Park make our events not only fun, but accessible to all our visitors. Dry camping is also made available for some of our events.

Chuckwagon Sunset Suppers and Shows

Syd Masters & The Swing Riders

Traditional chuckwagon show, including a barbecue dinner, wildlife presentation, plus a western music show or bluegrass band. Many of our chuckwagon dinners feature the award-winning Syd Masters and the Swing Riders. The barbeque dinner includes brisket, chicken, ranch beans, baked potato, rolls, apple sauce, cookies, lemonade, coffee, and water. Shows take place rain or shine in our covered area. Jackets recommended. Our 2008 list of dates and bands is now available! Our 2008 season opener was a smash hit, as this photo slide show of the event shows.

The park is open to chuckwagon guests at 5:30, hayrides run from 6:00 to 7:00, and dinner is served at 7:00. The bird presentation is conducted at about 7:30. The music starts approximately 8:00 and usually runs for an hour.

Admission is $17.50 for adults, $16.50 for seniors, $10.00 for kids ages 5-11, and kids under 5 are free. Groups of 20 or more get $1 discount per adult, and a 50% deposit is required one week before the day of the show.

Reservations are required by 2:00 PM on the day of the show. To make reservations, please contact us by phone:

Local - (505) 281-7655
Toll-Free - (877) 981-9453

Free Flight Falcon Demonstrations

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no wait . . . it IS a bird! Rather, it’s a pair of birds. The duo of Peregrine Falcons – the fastest raptor on earth – appear every summer in free flight demonstrations over Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood, the newest addition to the park’s educational and entertainment repertoire. Demonstrations are held Sundays at 1:30 in July, August, and September. For more information, see our pergrine falcon page.

Music Festivals

Wildlife West produces an annual, multifaceted music event on the first weekend of August every year. Nationally recognized performers such as the Claire Lynch Band, Alan Munde & the Gazette, John McCutcheon, Karl Shiflet and Big Country Show, the Byron Berline Band, Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, Shawn Camp, and the Lynne Morris Band have appeared at many of Wildlife West's music festivals along with New Mexico favorites like Elliot's Ramblers, Raising Cane, Hot Club of Santa Fe, and Syd Masters and the Swing Riders. Many of our music festivals include workshops, contests, open jams, and other events, providing entertainment and fun for musicians and visitors alike! All our music festivals allow plenty of time to fully enjoy the zoo and other Park features. Bob Gray of Hot Club of Santa Fe calls Wildlife West "the best outdoor venue for bluegrass in New Mexico," and Syd Masters says Wildlife West is "the best outdoor venue in the State!" Come see for yourself! For more information, visit our music festival page.

Harvest Festival/Run, Rally and Rock - August 23 & 24th, 2008, 10am to 9pm Saturday & 10am to 4pm Sunday

The Harvest Festival/Run Rally and Rock events are now all held at Wildlife West! This year's festivities started with a Friday night Sock Hop including 60s music with Elvis and a Hula Hoop contest. The fun continued Saturday morning with the 5K Pronghorn Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast, a parade, and a regional business showcase. Other events included a juried fine art show, wildlife encounters, Farmers' Market (with food tasting), wine tasting, a climing wall, carnival games, music, stage shows, and much, much more! Entertainment included music, dance, face painting, tractor games, horshoe pitching, "Dumpy Big Foot" rides - and, of course, a Saturday night Chuckwagon Dinner featuring Syd Masters and the Swing Riders. Festival attendees enjoyed free food tasting & food for sale from local growers market, blacksmith demonstrations, antique tractor, truck, machinery, model trucks, and tractor displays. To get a feel for the fun, take a look at our Harvest Festvial 2008 slideshow.

Special Events

Wildlife West Nature Park hosts and produces a number of special events and festivals every year, including but not limited to, the New Mexico Wind Festival; the Fall Harvest Festival; the Edgewood Run, Rally and Rock; the Annual Route 66 Tractor Drive and Rally; and the Bear Fair. Many of our events include displays of antique cars, trucks, tractors, and associated competitions celebrating the rural heritage of the region and Wildlife West's close proximity to Historic Route 66. Hayrides, musical performances, and a climbing wall have become common features of our events - and, of course, all our special events include full access to the zoo and other features of the Park! For more information, consult our Event Calendar.