It’s a Jurassic Party! Spielberg’s Jurassic Park Advisor Dino Don Lessem Leads the Zoorassic Trail Takeover at Dublin Zoo this June
- Special guest Dino Don Lessem, world-renowned dinosaur expert and Jurassic Park science advisor, will host Dublin Zoo’s Zoorassic Trail Takeover.
- Exclusive ticketed events and dino-tastic fun at Dublin Zoo from Thursday 26th – Sunday 29th June 2025, with opportunities to see Zoorassic Trail after hours!
Get ready to stomp into summer!
School’s out from Friday, June 27th – and what better way to kick off the holidays than with a full-on prehistoric party? Dublin Zoo is going full Jurassic for four roarsome days with the launch of the Zoorassic Trail Takeover. The event will be led by ‘Dino Don’ Lessem, dinosaur expert and original science advisor on Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, and creator of the animatronic giants in Dublin Zoo’s dinosaur exhibition Zoorassic Trail (open until September).
In his first-ever visit to Ireland, Dino Don is flying in straight from the U.S. to host an exclusive series of special events – designed to thrill dinosaur fans of all ages. These are one-of-a-kind, highly limited-capacity sessions, offering fans the rare chance to get up close and personal with the man who says:
“We don’t do Hollywood dinosaurs… we do real dinosaurs!”
Meet the Man Who Helped Bring Dinosaurs to Life
Dino Don brings to Irish audiences an unmatched mix of science, storytelling, and cinematic magic. Expect real fossils, incredible artefacts, and jaw-dropping tales from Dino Don who has excavated and reconstructed the world’s largest meat-eating and plant-eating dinosaurs in Patagonia and Mongolia. He creates giant touring exhibitions, is host and creator of NOVA documentaries, and advisor to Universal Studios and Disney theme parks. The Argentine dinosaur, Lessemsaurus, was named in honour of his contributions to dinosaur research.
For Families: Roarsome Adventures with Dino Don
Friday 27 – Sunday 29 June | Discovery & Learning Centre, Dublin Zoo
Perfect for dino-mad kids and curious adults alike, these limited-capacity daytime sessions include:
- A rare chance to meet Dino Don in person
- Hands-on fossil exploration and prehistoric artefacts
- Behind the scenes secrets and Q&A with the expert
- Photo and signed book opportunities
- Tickets available for €10 per child (in addition to a Dublin Zoo entry ticket) – click here to book. Numbers are strictly limited to keep the experience interactive and unforgettable.
After-hours events for ages 16 and over: An Evening with the Experts – Working on the Edge of Extinction: When Science Meets Science Fiction
Thursday 26 & Friday 27 June | 6pm–9.30pm, Dublin Zoo
Hosted by film critic and presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, John Fardy, this thought-provoking, fun and film-fuelled evening includes:
- A private after-hours tour of the Zoorassic Trail
- Exclusive insights from ‘Dino Don Lessem’ and expert panel guests
- Discussions on de-extinction, conservation, and prehistoric science versus sci-fi
- Meet and greets, selfies, autographs, merchandise and more
- Limited number of tickets available for €25 (or €23 for Annual Pass holders) – click here to book.
Strictly 16+ and strictly limited in numbers for a truly immersive evening.
Can’t Get a Ticket? Don’t Worry — the Prehistoric Party Continues!
While the Dino Don events are extremely exclusive, the prehistoric fun will be stomping through Dublin Zoo all weekend long! Even if you miss out on the special sessions, you can still:
- Explore the epic Zoorassic Trail, with over 40 life-size, roaring, moving dinosaurs.
- Catch the return of the ROAR ROAR Dinosaur Crew & Ranger Dan on the Great Lawn with dino petting zoos, fossil crafts, face painting, and roaming dinos.
- Enjoy wild surprises throughout the Zoo from Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June – all included with standard Dublin Zoo admission.
Booking Details
Standard Dublin Zoo entry from June 26th to June 29th includes:
- Zoorassic Trail
- ROAR ROAR Dinosaur Crew & roaming dino fun
Add-on ticketed events:
- Dino Don Family Events: €10 per child (plus Dublin Zoo admission price)
- Evening with the Experts (16 years and over): €25 (€23 for Annual Pass holders)
Limited tickets available from May 23rd at Buy Zoorassic Trail Takeover Tickets online – Dublin Zoo
