Dads Go Free at Dublin Zoo This Father's Day Sunday
If you’re still scrambling for something to do this Father’s Day, Dublin Zoo has just made the decision very easy indeed. Dads go free this Sunday, 21st June, when accompanied by a paying visitor — and with over 400 animals and a spectacular outdoor brick sculpture exhibition on offer, it’s the kind of day out that keeps everyone happy from toddler to teenager.
The offer is available both online and at the gate on the day. To pre-book, just head to dublinzoo.ie and enter the promo code DADSGOFREE at checkout. No code? No problem — you can also pick up tickets at the gate on Sunday and still avail of the offer. One dad gets free admission when accompanied by one full-paying adult or child ticket, saving €22.50. Worth noting: larger groups may find a Family Ticket works out better value, so it’s worth checking the full ticket options on the website before you book.
A proper wild day out
Dublin Zoo is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary animals — Asian elephants, western lowland gorillas, giraffes, red pandas, lions and so much more. Whether your little ones are obsessed with the big cats or go absolutely feral for the sea lions (same), there’s genuinely something to capture every child’s imagination. And if you’ve got a toddler who needs a lot of sensory input to stay even remotely calm, well — 400 animals across a sprawling park should do it.
Róisín Healy, Marketing Manager at Dublin Zoo, put it best: “We’re inviting families to go wild this Father’s Day by bringing Dad to Dublin Zoo for free. With more than 400 animals to discover and our larger-than-life Animal Bricktacular exhibition on display, there’s never been a better time to visit. From elephants and gorillas to giant brick-built animal sculptures, there’s something around every corner to surprise, delight and entertain the whole family.”
A silverback gorilla takes a moment to sit and survey its surroundings.
Animal Bricktacular — the bit the kids will absolutely lose it over
Alongside the live animals, Dublin Zoo is currently running Animal Bricktacular, an outdoor exhibition featuring massive animal sculptures built from millions of colourful toy bricks. Think life-sized (and larger) creatures recreated in extraordinary detail — perfect for photos, for sparking curiosity and for giving the kids something to talk about for weeks. It’s the kind of unexpected bonus that turns a good day out into a genuinely memorable one.
The practical bit
The free admission offer is valid on Sunday, 21st June 2026 only. It applies to single day-entry tickets and can’t be combined with other promotions, Family Tickets or concession tickets. Pre-booking online is encouraged — it saves time at the gate and means you can head straight in rather than queuing with a buggy, a snack bag and a three-year-old who has already decided they need a wee.
Dublin Zoo is a registered conservation charity and has been welcoming visitors since 1831. Every ticket sold goes directly back into animal care, habitat upkeep and 30 international conservation and breeding programmes for endangered species. So it’s a lovely day out and you can feel genuinely good about it too.
Book your tickets in advance at dublinzoo.ie using the promo code DADSGOFREE, or simply arrive on the day and avail of the offer at the gate.