NC Zoo will host Pokemon event on July 11 and 12

ASHEBORO —The North Carolina Zoo will host a two-day Creature Catcher Event on Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, coinciding with Niantic’s Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global, zoo officials announced.

The event, free with paid admission, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The zoo grounds will feature more than 50 PokéStops and 12 Gyms, with lures placed throughout the park to attract in-game creatures, according to event details released by the zoo.

The event is coinciding with Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global!, which will draw millions of fellow Pokemon trainers worldwide for the two-day celebration.

At the Zoo, a “Creature Catcher Quest” scavenger hunt will offer exclusive prizes to participants, though organizers said quest slots and prizes will be limited and available on a first-come basis, encouraging early arrival. Notably, the quest can be completed without a smartphone — no Pokémon GO account required.

“Our goal is to connect guests to conservation through real world gameplay,” said Sara Pack, Acting Chief Communications & PR Officer at the North Carolina Zoo and Botanical Gardens. 

“The Creature Catcher Quest and scavenger hunt can be completed entirely device-free, so you don’t need a smartphone to join the fun. And I have to say ...  the prizes are pretty cool.”

An Optional Mission for players exists, as well: Donate a minimum of $10 to the NC Zoo Society’s Save the American Red Wolf Fund (between 9 a.m. on July 11, 2026 and 8 p.m. on July 12, 2026) for a chance to win a bundle of ALL possible event prizes (one of each type) PLUS a 1-year family membership to the Zoo. Prizes can only be mailed to addresses within the United States.

Event-themed food items will be available for purchase from on-site vendors, and cosplay is permitted under family-friendly guidelines — no scary costumes, no face coverings for participants 13 and older beyond small accessories, and no costume elements resembling weapons.

Zoo officials reminded attendees that Wi-Fi and cell coverage vary across the property, and asked guests to bring portable chargers, water and weather protection. Players and guests must remain on paved pathways throughout the visit.

More information is available at nczoo.org/events/creature-catcher-event.