Name: Sunset at the Zoo
Start: June 18, 2026 7:00 pm
End: June 18, 2026 11:00 pm

← Back to all events

June 18 | 7-11 p.m.

You’re invited to the Detroit Zoo’s signature summer fundraiser.

$250.00 - $2,000.00

Tickets On Sale Now!

Get Tickets

Presented By

A Fundraising Event Like No Other

Sunset at the Zoo, presented by KeyBank, is our annual celebration of the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) and the wildlife we protect. Stroll the Zoo with craft cocktail in hand, enjoy delicious local bites, bid on incredible prizes, dance to live music and experience the Zoo in exciting new ways.

Your attendance directly supports our mission to create meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive — here, and around the world.

If there’s one night a year you support the Zoo, make it this one.

Why Your Attendance Matters

Sunset is more than an unforgettable evening of elegance, excitement, entertainment and exploration. Your generous support enables work like this:

Wildlife Nourishment:

Providing expert nutrition to thousands of animals is a complex daily operation. Your support ensures every resident — from king penguins to western lowland gorillas — receives the specialized, high-quality diet essential for their well-being.
Excellence in Animal Welfare:

Your ticket supports the dedicated teams who provide daily wellness checks, preventative medicine and lifesaving care for every resident of the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center.
Global Conservation Impact:

Beyond our gates, your attendance funds field work that protects endangered species in the wild, from Great Lakes piping plovers here in Michigan to Grauer’s gorillas in the Congo.

Experience Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails

Sunset at the Zoo offers an experience unlike any other, and this year we have an extra reason to celebrate. Just weeks after the ribbon is cut for the general public, be one of the first to have an exclusive evening in Erb Discovery Trails, our new 7-acre immersive experience.

See What's Coming

What to Expect

Entire Zoo open until the sun goes down, giving you a chance to see the animals after close
A culinary expedition featuring signature bites from Detroit’s top eateries
Exclusive access to Erb Discovery Trails in an intimate, private setting
Premium open bars pouring summer spirits and classic cocktails
Silent auction, Sunset Keys and raffle with incredible prizes
Zoo tram tours and carousel rides
Exclusive animal encounter opportunities
Dancing and live entertainment from the Jerry Ross Band and more
Connection stations sponsored by Taft to connect with our team and our worldwide conservation work

Ticket Options

Choose your experience.

Main Event

General admission to an unforgettable evening.

$250

Admission to Sunset at the Zoo from 7 to 11 p.m.
Signature bites and seasonal drinks
Tram tours and carousel rides
Connection stations sponsored by Taft
Fair market value: $90 each

Purchase Tickets

VIP

All main event plus much more!

$600

An exclusive VIP reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
Early access to Sunset at the Zoo
Complimentary valet parking
Exclusive access to the live auction
Fair market value: $125 each

Purchase Tickets

VIP Four-Pack

All the benefits of the VIP experience for four people.

$2000

An exclusive VIP reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
Early access to Sunset at the Zoo
Complimentary valet parking
Exclusive access to the live auction
Fair market value: $125 each

Purchase Tickets

Food & Drink Experience

Your ticket includes access to some of Detroit’s best restaurants, food trucks, and sweet treats throughout the event.

FOOD TRUCKS

Big Black Food Trailer
Buck-N-Dink’s BBQ
Eight Claws Crab Seafood Boil
Los Dos Amigos Taco Truck
Marilyn’s Pantry
Monkey Business Food Truck
The Krepe Kart
Mr. Creole
Beyond Juicery + Eatery Food Truck
Aruba Freeze
Sucrée
Barbarossa Nitro Coffee *NEW

RESTAURANTS

A Serendipity Cakery
Papa’s Kitchen
Ridley’s Bakery Café
Village Market
Simply Spanish
& more!

VIP

Grey Ghost
Mabel Gray
Medusa Cucina Siciliana *NEW
Takoi

Show Your Support

If you can’t attend Sunset, your influence can still be felt. A donation to our general fund ensures that, while you may miss the night, you support the DZS and our global conservation work.

Looking for another way to join us — even if you can’t make it the night of? You can join our silent auction from wherever you are for your chance to win some incredible prizes. Just sign up for email updates to be notified when it goes live.

Make a Donation Sign Up for Email Updates