Private Events

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Private Zoo Evening

Wow your guests by hosting your event at the Detroit Zoo after hours. You and your guests will enjoy exclusive access to the Zoo for a strolling reception or a casual American picnic. The Zoo offers your guests 125 acres of true-to-life habitats that are home to more than 3,000 animals.

$15,000 – Rental Fee Includes:

  • Main Picnic Tent
  • Polk Penguin Conservation Center
  • All outdoor habitats including the Arctic Ring of Life and Australian Outback Adventure
  • One Tauber Family Railroad train for three hours
  • Carousel
  • Parking
  • The rental fee includes up to 1,000 guest admission; additional guests will be billed at $9 per guest.

Picnic Packages

All-American Buffet – $19

  • Grilled hamburgers, 100% beef hot dogs and vegan burgers (upon request)
  • Fresh buns, assorted cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and condiments
  • Baked beans and potato salad
  • Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
  • Assorted Pepsi products and water

Old-Fashioned BBQ Buffet – $21

  • BBQ pulled chicken, Italian sausage and vegan burgers (upon request)
  • Fresh buns, cheddar cheese, pickles and condiments
  • Baked beans and potato salad
  • Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
  • Assorted Pepsi products and water

Smokehouse Special Buffet – $24

  • Cherry BBQ pulled brisket, bone-in chicken breast with Alabama BBQ sauce and vegan burger (upon request)
  • Fresh buns, cheddar cheese, pickles and condiments
  • Baked beans and potato salad
  • Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
  • Assorted Pepsi products and water

Ala Carte Selections*

  • 100% beef hot dogs or Italian sausage – $3.75 per person
  • BBQ pulled chicken or Vegan Italian
    sausage – $4 per person
  • Cherry BBQ pulled brisket – $5 per person
  • Bone-in chicken breast with
  • Alabama BBQ sauce – $6 per person
  • Old fashioned coleslaw – $2.50 per person
  • Seasonal fresh fruit salad – $3.25 per person
  • Southwest cilantro lime elote salad – $3.50 per person
  • Pasta salad with fresh veggies – $3.50 per person
  • Garden salad with ranch and balsamic – $4 per person
  • Baked macaroni and cheese – $4 per person
  • Assorted Bettermade chips – $2 per person
  • Ice cream bars – $3 per person
  • Detroit Popcorn – $3.75 per person
  • Cotton candy – $3.75 per person
  • All-day souvenir fountain cup – $5 per person

* Consuming raw or uncooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

Catering or a concession package is required. Food and beverage service is through the Detroit Zoo Catering Department, “Taste”.

Additional Fees:

  • Additional covered dining tent – $1,000/each
  • Wildlife Interpretive Gallery and Butterfly Garden – $1,500
    (Garden closes at 8 p.m.)
  • National Amphibian Conservation Center – $1,000
  • 4-D Theater (located in the Wild Adventure Zone) – $2,500
Private Zoo Evenings Flyer (PDF)

“Private Zoo Evening” rentals are available daily, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., June through August.  To confirm your date today, contact Megan Gregg at (248) 336-5805 or use the form below.

Hours and rates subject to change. Zoo facilities may not be rented for any event that the Zoo deems inconsistent with its character and/or its mission of Celebrating and Saving Wildlife.