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9/30/2026

Arizona Halloween Drive-Thru: Zombie Zoo Opens Tonight in Tempe

Tonight's the night. Zombie Zoo, World of Illumination's new Arizona Halloween drive-thru light show, opens this evening at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Gates open at 6:30 PM, and the show runs Tuesday through Sunday from tonight until November 1. If you've had this one circled on the calendar since it was announced, now's the time to clear out the back seat, make sure the radio works, and pick your night.

Zombie Zoo at a Glance

  • Where: Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282 (get directions)
  • Opens: Tonight, Wednesday, September 30, 2026
  • Runs: Through November 1, 2026, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays)
  • Hours: Gates open at 6:30 PM, last entry at 10:00 PM
  • Tickets: Sold online only on the Zombie Zoo ticket page. One ticket covers the whole car, and prices vary by date.
  • Time in the show: About 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish

Opening Night at Tempe Diablo Stadium

Most of the Valley knows Tempe Diablo Stadium as a spring training ballpark. Starting tonight, it belongs to a zoo full of animals that won't stay in their graves.

Zombie Zoo tells one story from the first scene to the last. The zoo sits next to a graveyard. At midnight on Halloween, Tumba the Gorilla wakes the animals, DJ Monkey takes over the music, and the whole place dances under the moon. When the moon fades, Tumba takes his bow and everyone heads back to bed until next year.

You'll drive through that story scene by scene: a swirling jack-o'-lantern vortex tunnel, towering spooky trees, cobweb-draped habitats, desert mummies, savannah zombies, and bamboo groves glowing with spirit lanterns. When KTAR News previewed the show on September 5, it highlighted the glowing habitats, the vortex tunnel, and the dancing graveyard, and called it a family-friendly outing. That's the right way to think about it. It's Halloween with a wink, not a scare.

You can read more about the show and see the full details on the Zombie Zoo show page.

Why an Arizona Halloween Drive-Thru Makes Sense in October

October in Arizona doesn't look like October in a storybook. The first part of the month can still feel a lot like summer, and nobody wants to march a tired five-year-old across a hot parking lot in a costume. Later in the month the evenings soften up and windows-down weather finally shows up. A drive-through show works for both. Run the AC on opening week, crack the windows by Halloween, and stay comfortable either way.

It also fits how Arizona already lives. We drive everywhere. A night out that starts and ends in the car isn't a compromise here; it's just normal. The car becomes your private viewing box, with your own snacks, your own music volume, and your own seat for every person in the family.

That matters when your group is a mix. Grandparents don't have to walk a long route. Toddlers stay buckled in. Kids can ride along in full costume without worrying about tripping on a cape. The dog can come too, as long as it stays inside the vehicle. And because the show runs rain or shine, a passing storm doesn't have to cancel the plan.

Worth the Drive From Across the State

Zombie Zoo is in Tempe, but it isn't only for Tempe. If you live in Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, Yuma, or one of the towns in between, it's a Halloween night worth the drive. The stadium sits close to I-10, so it's an easy target once you reach the Valley. A few things make a longer trip go smoother:

  • Build it into a bigger day. Visiting relatives in the Valley, a fall break outing, or a weekend away all pair well with an evening at the show. Grab dinner nearby first, since there are no concessions on site.
  • Pick your date, then relax. Tickets are tied to the date you choose. If plans shift, date changes are free; you just pay the difference if the new night costs more. Otherwise, sales are final.
  • Check your vehicle before you leave home. Road-tripping in an RV or towing a trailer? Those can't go through the route, and neither can buses or limos. Standard passenger vans are generally fine. The vehicle restrictions page has the exact height and size limits.
  • Sort out who rides with whom. It's one ticket per car, and you can't consolidate cars once you're at the park. If two families are caravanning in, decide on seating at a meetup spot beforehand or plan on two tickets.
  • Watch the clock. Last entry is at 10:00 PM, and the show itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes. If you have a long drive home, an earlier arrival leaves room for a coffee stop on the way back.

Opening-Night Tips

Coming tonight or later this month? These small things make the night easier:

  • Arrive with the radio ready. The soundtrack plays through your car's FM radio, and it's timed to the lights. A park ambassador will help you tune in to the show's station as you near the front of the line, and there's signage along the way. Just confirm your FM radio actually works before you go.
  • Know the gate time. Gates open at 6:30 PM. Last entry is 10:00 PM.
  • Go on a weeknight if you can. Weeknights usually move faster than weekends. Opening night happens to be a Wednesday.
  • Skip Mondays. The show is closed every Monday, so plan around that, especially if you're driving in.
  • Pack the car. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome. Halloween candy counts.
  • Have your phone handy. Photos are encouraged. Share yours with #WorldofIllumination.

What Comes After Zombie Zoo

Zombie Zoo wraps up on November 1, but the stadium doesn't stay dark for long. Reindeer Road, the Christmas show, takes over Tempe Diablo Stadium from November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027. If your family makes the trip in October, there's a good reason to come back in December. Every World of Illumination show in the state is listed on the Arizona tickets page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Arizona Halloween drive-thru this year?

World of Illumination's Zombie Zoo is at Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282. It runs from September 30 through November 1, 2026.

What time does Zombie Zoo open tonight?

Gates open at 6:30 PM, and the last entry is at 10:00 PM. Plan on about 20 to 30 minutes to drive through.

Can we come in an RV or with a trailer?

No. RVs, trailers, vehicles towing trailers, buses, limousines, and oversized vehicles aren't permitted on the route. Standard passenger vans generally are, as long as they meet the posted height and size limits.

Can I change my date if our trip plans change?

Yes. Date changes are free. If the new date costs more, you pay the difference. Ticket sales are otherwise final.

Is Zombie Zoo open on Mondays?

No. The show runs Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays.

Your Halloween Night Starts at 6:30

Zombie Zoo runs only through November 1, and tonight is the start of all of it. Ten minutes away or coming in from the other end of the state, the plan is the same: load up the car, tune the radio, and roll through the gates to see what happens when the zoo wakes up. Pick your night and get your tickets and lock in your date.