On Zoo Boo dates (Oct. 3-4, 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25), regular Zoo hours are 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The Zoo will reopen from 3-8:30 p.m. for the event. A separate Zoo Boo ticket is required.
Open Year-Round
(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day)
April - Early September: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
September - March: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Detroit Zoo practices dynamic pricing, --meaning date of visit, time of entry, ticket availability, and date of ticket purchase are all determining factors in the pricing. Typically, the further in advance you purchase your tickets the better the pricing will be.
Discount admission to the Zoo ranges from $14 -$21 for general admission / $12 -$18 for youth/senior admission.
Parking must be purchased separately. Prices and operating schedule are subject to change without notice.
Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be combined with other offers. Limit six tickets per order.
Oct. 3-4, 9-11, 16-18 & 23-25 | 3 - 8:30 p.m.
Zoo Boo Admission ranges from $19-$25
Metro Detroit’s favorite Halloween tradition returns with an extra hour of daylight, full Zoo access before dusk and fa-boo-lous family fun.
More Zoo, More Boo
Zoo Boo is back with a newly expanded day-to-dusk experience!
Enjoy live entertainment, character encounters, trick-or-treat stations and the brand-new Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails all evening long from 3 - 8:30 p.m., plus so much more. Arrive early and the whole Zoo is yours to explore and visit your favorite animals. Then, stay as the sun sets and watch the front of the Zoo transform into an illuminated Halloween spooktacular!
Best of all (no tricks), your Zoo Boo ticket directly funds our mission to create meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive.
What to Expect
- Full Zoo access until 6 p.m.
- Live and strolling entertainment
- Illuminated Halloween-themed décor
- Trick-or-treat stations throughout the front of the Zoo
- Access to the all-new Erb Discovery Trails
- Themed photo stops to capture the moment
- Character meet-and-greets & Zoo Boo Revue
- Zoo-branded giveaways
- Interactive education stations
- Halloween-themed face painting available for purchase
- Carousel, Wild Explorer VR and 4D Theater available for purchase
NOTE: The Aaron and Carolynn Frankel Stingray Cove will be open until 6 p.m. To support animal well-being, select experiences and animal encounters may not be available during this event.
Tickets MUST be purchased at least 24 hours in advance of intended date. Offer expires October 24, 2026. No refunds or exchanges.
Children younger than 2 are admitted free. Space is limited, and prices vary subject to time and date. All tickets must be purchased in advance; walk-up tickets will not be sold at the gate. The best way to guarantee your Zoo Boo experience is to purchase tickets in advance online.
Nov. 21 – Jan. 3 | Gates open at 5 p.m.
Metro Detroit’s classic holiday tradition returns with millions of lights, incredible sights + brand-new wonders for all ages to explore.
Whether it’s a bundled-up family outing, a cheerful date night, a gathering with friends or simply a moment to breathe in the beauty of winter, this event offers something meaningful for anyone who experiences it.Metro Detroit’s classic holiday tradition returns with millions of lights, incredible sights + brand-new wonders for all ages to explore.
30 Nights of Glow, Ho, Ho
Wild Lights, presented by Michigan First Credit Union, is a wild winter wonderland with millions of magical reasons to wander the Zoo. Whether you're bundling up the little ones for a night of awe, gathering the group for a holiday hangout or looking for the perfect excuse to cozy up in an Igloo, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
2026-27 Season Dates
November: 21, 22, 27-29
December: 4-6, 10-23, 26-31
January: 2, 3
Fridays and Saturdays: 5 – 10:30 p.m.
All other nights (plus January dates): 5 – 9 p.m.
Wild Lights sells fast. Lock in your preferred night before they sell out!
Your ticket does more than light up the night — it directly supports our mission to create meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive. Thank you
What to Expect at Wild Lights 2026
- Stroll through millions of sparkling LED lights, featuring 500+ breathtaking animal- and nature-themed displays.
- Get those wish lists ready! Santa Claus is here to meet your little ones every night of the event until Dec. 23.
- Unleash your inner child on glowing swings, ride a light up teeter-totter, play with a giant light bright wall, make a wish with the Wishing Tree and dance out a festive tune on the Stepping Tones.
- Roast s’mores* around the fire pits, enjoy festive holiday music and pop-up performances throughout the trails.
- Catch a 4D screening of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
- Become part of the light show! Purchase a Glow-with-the-Show lanyard and unlock interactive Glow Zones that sync directly with the light displays around you.* NOTE: If you have your lanyard from last year, you can bring it free of charge (replacement batteries available)!
- Keep your hands warm and your stomach full with food and drink available throughout the Zoo. *
Wild Lights takes place in the front half of the Zoo. To protect the well-being of the animals, the back half of the Zoo and its habitats will be closed for the evening.
*Additional purchase
What's New in 2026
We’ve added a sleigh-full of new experiences, upgrades and photo ops to make this year completely unforgettable.
- The Igloo*. Experience our exclusive 21+ lounge featuring outdoor fire pits, strolling apps, adult hot chocolate and live music every Friday and Saturday. Sponsored by KeyBank.
- Fred & Barbara Erb Discovery Trails. Take a stroll through the newly illuminated eastern portion of Erb Discovery Trails, which features the giant light bright wall, glowing swings and light-up teeter-totter.
- Art Exhibition: Color, Fly, Butterfly. Color your own butterfly and watch your creation come alive in this immersive art experience at the Ford Education Center.&a