Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo 2026: Dates and What Families Should Know

Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak runs the first four weekends of October, October 3-4, 9-11, 16-18, and 23-25, 2026, with the zoo open from 3 to 8:30 p.m. on each of those event dates. It is the zoo's annual family Halloween event, and the organizers describe the experience as merry rather than scary, which makes it a comfortable introduction to the holiday for young children.

Trick-or-treat stations are placed throughout the zoo, and the event adds illuminated decorations after dusk, live performers, character meet-and-greets, and hands-on learning stations layered over the regular animal exhibits. The afternoon start means families with toddlers can spend a couple of hours and still be home before bedtime, and the full zoo remains open during the event, so a visit combines animal viewing with seasonal programming in one trip.

Tickets start at $21 per person, members receive a discount, and advance online purchase is strongly recommended because the event dates sell out. The zoo is located at 8450 West Ten Mile Road in Royal Oak, and the event page at detroitzoo.org is the place to confirm ticket pricing, hours, and any schedule changes before visiting. For families comparing communities in Oakland County, having a year-round cultural destination like the Detroit Zoo close to home is one of the practical advantages Royal Oak offers.

Sources: Detroit Zoological Society official website (detroitzoo.org). Information verified September 15, 2026.