Halloween Overnights -SOLD OUT!
Program Dates & Time: Friday, October 30 & Saturday, October 31 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Celebrate a spook-tacular family evening as we explore the Zoo after hours! Once the sun goes down, join our staff as we visit some of our favorite “haunts” and participate in some socially distant activities. It’s the best way to see the Zoo without the crowds! Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded for the best dressed.
A pre-packaged evening snack, a light grab-and-go breakfast, and next-day Zoo admission are included. Bring your own tent & sleeping bags as we will be camping near our Texas Wetlands habitat in the new H-E-B Lone Star Pavilion!
*Check-in will begin at 6:00 p.m. to allow time to set up tents. The event itself will begin at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to pack your own picnic dinner or plan to eat prior to arriving.
Please Note: Camping materials such as tents are not provided by the Zoo for this educational program. Each family is responsible for bringing their own camping supplies.
Fall Family Campout
Program Date & Time: Friday, November 6 from 7:00 p.m. -9:00 a.m.
Celebrate the fall weather and join us for a campout at the Zoo after hours! We will explore how animals and plants prepare for the cooler seasons and participate in some socially distant activities. It’s the best way to spend time outdoors and see the Zoo without the crowds. Participants will get special early-morning access to the new Pantanal exhibit before the Zoo opens!
A pre-packaged evening snack, a light grab-and-go breakfast, and next-day Zoo admission are included. Bring your own tent & sleeping bags as we will be camping near our Texas Wetlands habitat in the H-E-B Lone Star Pavilion!
*Check-in will begin at 6:00 p.m. to allow time to set up tents. The event itself will begin at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to pack your own picnic dinner or plan to eat prior to arriving.
Please Note: Camping materials such as tents are not provided by the Zoo for this educational program. Each family is responsible for bringing their own camping supplies.
Zoo Lights Overnights
Program Dates: November 28, December 5, December 12, December 19
*Check-in will begin at 5:00 p.m. to allow time to set up tents. The event itself will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 9 a.m. the following morning.
Celebrate the holidays with a one-of-a-kind Zoo Lights family campout! Enjoy early admission into the Zoo and set up your tent in H-E-B Lonestar Pavilion. You’ll meet some of our Ambassador Animals before the festivities begin. Then, explore millions of twinkling lights at your own pace, complete with dinner at Cypress Circle Café and s’mores! Your program hosts will have additional activities planned at the camp site for your leisure or if you just want to come back and take a break. Families will be asked to return to the camp site by 10:30 pm when the Zoo closes.
When morning comes, the lights may be out, but the animals are just waking! Listen to the sounds of the Zoo during breakfast and enjoy special access to the new Pantanal exhibit before opening. Next-day admission is included for registered participants.
Please Note: Camping materials such as tents are not provided by the Zoo for this educational program. Each family is responsible for bringing their own camping supplies.
General Information
- Registration: $75 per person (Fall Family Campout); $85 per person (Zoo Lights Overnights)
- Zoo Overnights are for participants ages 6 and up. Children under 6 years of age will not be permitted to attend.
- Overnights begin promptly at 7 p.m. and conclude the following morning at 9 a.m. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for families wanting additional time to pitch their tents.
- Registrations are per person and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; we require one adult for every five kids age 6 – 17.
- Registration closes one week before the scheduled program date. No additions will be permitted after registration has closed.
- Program Scheduling & Refunds: Guests who provide a written notice of cancellation to education@houstonzoo.org on or before 3 weeks (21 days) prior to the program date will receive a full refund, excluding the cost of a group nonrefundable deposit. No refund will be issued after this date. Rescheduling is subject to availability at a $25 change fee.
- A minimum of 20 participants must be in attendance to conduct overnights; we do occasionally have to cancel due to low registration, and will notify you on the Tuesday prior to the event.
- Overnight experiences are front-of-scenes for the safety of our animals and guests. If you are interested in other interactive experiences for your family, please check out our Animal Encounters page!
- For the safety of our staff, guests, and animals, and in accordance with Harris County orders, guests 10 years or older and all Zoo staff are required to wear facial coverings that cover their nose and mouth. This change is effective Monday, June 22, 2020.
What To Bring
- comfortable walking shoes
- a filled water bottle
- weather appropriate outerwear – ponchos/jackets
- bug spray/insect repellent
- sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping pad or cot, tent, camping gear
- pajamas, personal care items
- change of clothes (showers not available)
Note: Please follow all Houston Zoo guidelines for food and drink items. Glass bottles, alcohol, and straws are prohibited. For a full list of Houston Zoo rules, please click here.
Additional Items for Purchase
$20 for each Houston Zoo Glow-in-the-dark Overnight t-shirt
$5 for each Houston Zoo fun patch
A link to order t-shirts and patches will be included in your program reminder which will be sent out via the email on file for your registration. This reminder will be sent one week before the event.
By Participating in a Houston Zoo Overnight, you help save animals in the wild!
Need more information? Don’t see a program that fits your needs? Contact us at education@houstonzoo.org and we can answer your questions.
