The annual Sunset at the Zoo, a major fundraiser for the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, will take place on June 18.
Presented by KeyBank, the annual evening adults-only fundraiser, draws nearly 2,000 guests for a night of exclusive Zoo access and unique animal encounters, craft cocktails, live music and dancing, culinary experiences from local eateries, a silent auction, a raffle, tram and carousel rides, conservation connection stations, and more.
In addition to options from more than a dozen food trucks, general admission guests can taste dishes from Village Market, Papa’s Kitchen, and more. VIP ticket holders will enjoy exclusive fare from Grey Ghost, Mabel Gray, Medusa Cucina Siciliana, and Takoi.
Guests at this year’s event also will be among the first to experience the Detroit Zoo’s newly opened Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails, a seven-acre immersive adventure offering hands-on and up-close animal encounters, aerial climbing experiences, and interactive spaces to connect with animals and the natural world.
Proceeds from Sunset at the Zoo directly support the Detroit Zoo’s extensive wildlife nourishment, animal welfare, and global conservation efforts. Last year’s Sunset at the Zoo raised more than $450,000.
“Doing good and having fun aren’t mutually exclusive — Sunset at the Zoo is annual proof that philanthropy can be a blast,” says Megan Gregg, senior events manager at the Detroit Zoo. “We pair an unforgettable experience with critical support for animal care, creating an evening of memories and meaningful impact.”
General admission tickets ($250/each) are on sale now, and include complimentary self-parking, admission to Sunset at the Zoo from 7 to 11 p.m., live entertainment and dancing, signature bites and seasonal drinks, tram tours, carousel rides and connection stations (sponsored by Taft).
VIP tickets ($600/each) include an exclusive pre-event reception (5-7 p.m.), early event access, exclusive access to the live auction, and complimentary valet parking.
More information on Sunset at the Zoo is available here.
For those unable to attend this year’s fundraiser, but still interested in supporting the DZS’s conservation work, tickets will once again be available for The Great Zoo Giveaway annual fundraising raffle.
One winner receives five VIP Detroit Zoo experiences for themselves and up to three guests, plus a $500 gift card. Tickets, starting at $5 each, are available June 1-29, 2026 (drawing on June 30).
For more information, visit detroitzoo.org.
