Hosting themed events isn’t just for cupcake shops or dog groomers—exotic pet businesses can benefit, too! Whether you board bearded dragons, sell supplies for snakes, or run a reptile-focused veterinary clinic, creating a unique event allows you to connect with your community, show off your expertise, and (let’s be honest) have some fun.

And since exotic pets deserve the spotlight, why not create your own quirky holiday?

Why Host a Themed Event?

At its core, a themed event is about more than just decorating with balloons or running a sale. It’s about storytelling. When you create a unique event for your business, you invite your community into an experience. As Donald Miller, marketer and author of the StoryBrand messaging framework, puts it: "Great brands create a kind of buzz the way an exciting story does."

For exotic pet-care businesses, this is a golden opportunity because:

  • Education is key. Many pet parents are curious about reptiles but don’t know much about proper care. An event can teach them while also showcasing your authority.

  • Exotic pets stand out. Hosting a creative event centered around scaly or feathered critters sets you apart from the dozens of dog groomers or cat sitters in your area.

  • People love stories. A made-up holiday is memorable. Customers are more likely to share their experience when it feels like they were part of something unique.

  • It builds loyalty. When pet parents feel included in a community celebration, they’ll remember your business the next time they need supplies, boarding, or a vet check.

  • It boosts revenue. Every event is an opportunity to sell services, supplies, and bookings—without feeling “salesy.”

Even if your made-up holiday starts small, it can evolve into an annual tradition your customers look forward to.

bearded dragons in costume

Forget Dog Parades—It’s Time for a Reptile Rave

Imagine this: Every September, your business hosts "Lizardpalooza Day," a celebration of lizards, bearded dragons, and other reptiles. The name is catchy, the vibe is festive, and the opportunities are endless.

What Could Lizardpalooza Look Like?

  • Costume Contest for Reptiles
    Customers dress up their pets in tiny outfits—think geckos in wizard hats or iguanas in superhero capes. It’s equal parts hilarious and adorable, and it generates fantastic social media content.

  • Educational Demonstrations
    Host short talks on topics like “How to Train Your Bearded Dragon” or “The Truth About Gecko Diets.” These sessions prove your expertise and make your facility look professional.

  • Photo Booth Fun
    Set up a themed selfie station with props, signage, and maybe even a life-size lizard mascot (Larry the Lizard has a nice ring to it). Guests take photos, tag your business, and create free advertising for you.

  • Special Discounts
    Offer limited-time promotions, like discounts for reptiles booked during the event, or a “Lizardpalooza Supply Bundle” with essentials like calcium powder, hides, and UV lamps.

  • Community Partnerships
    Invite local reptile rescues or breeders to join. Their networks expand your reach, and your business becomes a hub for the exotic pet community.

When you lean into the theme with humor and creativity, you create a celebration that’s as entertaining as it is educational.

Event Promotion Ideas

Themed events are only successful if people actually know about them. Here are ways to make sure your pet holiday or themed event gets the attention it deserves.

1. Social Media Build-Up

Start teasing your event at least two weeks in advance:

  • Countdown Posts: Share daily fun facts about lizards leading up to the big day. Example: “7 days until Lizardpalooza! Did you know some geckos lick their eyeballs to clean them?”

  • Create a Hashtag: Something like #Lizardpalooza2025 makes it easy for people to find and share content.

  • Behind-the-Scenes Content: Post short clips of your team prepping decorations, setting up terrariums, or trying on silly lizard hats.

2. Exclusive Offers

Everybody loves a deal, especially when it’s tied to a fun theme. Try:

  • Discounted reptile boarding if booked on event day.

  • A “Lizard Lover’s Loyalty Card” that kicks off at the event.

  • Buy-one-get-one deals on staple supplies.

3. Press & Local Buzz

Pitch your event to local media outlets: “Exotic Pet-Care Business Hosts First-Ever Lizardpalooza.”

Local newspapers and TV stations love quirky, family-friendly stories. Even if your turnout is modest, the media coverage can bring long-term visibility.

4. Post-Event Content

Your event doesn’t end when the doors close. Create follow-up content to extend its value:

  • Blog Recap: Highlight the winners of the costume contest, share photos, and recap your educational sessions.

  • Video Montage: A short “thank you” video capturing the event vibe is perfect for Instagram or TikTok.

  • Testimonials: Ask attendees for quick quotes about what they enjoyed most.

This creates evergreen content you can use to promote future events.

children with snake at reptile themed event

Beyond Lizards: Other Themed Event Ideas

Not all your customers have lizards, so don’t stop there! Themed events can highlight a variety of exotic pets.

  • Snake Soiree Saturday 
    A day dedicated to snakes, with safe-handling demos and enrichment activities.

  • Amphibian Appreciation Week 
    Spotlight frogs, salamanders, and newts, educating attendees about their unique care.

  • Exotic Pet Parent Q&A Day
    An open house where owners can bring questions about care, feeding, or habitat setup.

  • Parrot Palooza 
    Perfect for bird-focused businesses, with sound-mimicking contests or feather-care demos.

You could even rotate themes quarterly, making each season an opportunity for a new celebration.

Creative Storytelling in Your Marketing

As we touched on earlier, themed events work best when you lean into the storytelling. Here’s how:

  1. Give Your Holiday a Backstory. Using our Lizardpalooza example, pretend the "holiday" was founded by a wise gecko who wanted humans to understand reptile care. Silly? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely — especially among younger pet lovers.

  2. Use Humor. Playful taglines like “Scale Up Your Fun” or “Get Your Gecko Groove On” make your promotions lighthearted and shareable.

  3. Personify Pets. Presenting a challenge is the key to a compelling plot in any story. Featuring your clients’ pets is an almost guaranteed way to boost engagement. We'd call that a win-win! Feature photos of reptiles you care for with quotes like: “Spike the Bearded Dragon was feeling bored in his cage... until he received his Lizardpalooza invite! Party with Spike on Sept. 12 and hear all about his favorite enrichment activities!"

When customers feel part of a narrative, they’re more likely to engage.

Building Loyalty Through Events

One of the biggest advantages of themed events is how they strengthen customer relationships. Think about it:

  • A pet parent who comes for the fun may later book a boarding stay.

  • Someone who learns new pet socialization tips at your event now trusts you as a care expert.

  • Customers whose pets are spotlighted in photos or contests feel valued and special.

Each touchpoint turns a casual attendee into a long-term advocate for your business.

mouse with a cupcake ready to party

Quick Brainstorm: 10 Fast Themed Event Ideas

Need inspiration? Here’s a lightning list you can pull from:

  1. “Scales & Tales” Storytime: Kids read lizard-themed books while meeting real reptiles.
  2. Terrarium Building Workshop: Teach DIY habitat design.
  3. Reptile Spa Day: Highlight safe grooming practices for reptiles.
  4. “Name That Lizard” Quiz Night: Trivia contest for pet parents.
  5. Cold-Blooded Karaoke: Spooky season evening event with pet-inspired or Halloween songs.
  6. Reptile Rescue Showcase: Feature adoptable reptiles from local rescues.
  7. Snake Selfie Sunday: Offer supervised snake photo ops.
  8. Exotic Eats Demo: Show how to safely prepare live or frozen reptile food.
  9. Lizard Yoga: Partner with a local studio to offer an all-levels class featuring lizard-themed asanas.
  10. Junior Herpetologist Day: A kid-friendly event teaching basic reptile science.

These ideas are quick to adapt, and you can scale them up or down depending on your resources.

Final Thoughts: From Fun to Future Growth

Whether it’s Lizardpalooza or another themed event you dream up, giving your community a reason to celebrate exotic pets makes your business shine.

By hosting events, you can:

  • Educate your community.
  • Boost brand awareness.
  • Strengthen customer loyalty.
  • Drive bookings and sales.

pet-care providers with exotic pets posing

How Revelation Pets Supports Themed Events

Of course, planning an event means juggling details, but Revelation Pets makes it easier:

  • Automated Emails & SMS: Send reminders to clients so they don’t forget about your event.

  • Client Portal: Let exotic pet parents RSVP, update care instructions, or book services with ease.

  • Streamlined Bookings: Easily bring on new clients during or after your event with self-service booking.

  • Reporting & Insights: Track how your event impacted new appointments, supply sales, and revenue.

With these tools, your themed event isn’t just a fun idea—it becomes a streamlined, profitable initiative.

So, grab your party hats (and maybe a few tiny lizard costumes)—because themed events aren’t just fun, they’re powerful growth opportunities. With a little creativity and the right tools, your exotic pet-care business can turn one quirky celebration into a tradition that scales (pun fully intended) year after year.

Try Revelation Pets free for 14 days!