Zombie Zoo Tempe: Everything to Know Before Opening Night

Maybe you saw it on a friend's feed. Maybe your kids came home from school talking about a zoo full of dancing zombie animals. Either way, you've heard the name and now you're searching for it. Here's the short version: Zombie Zoo Tempe is a brand-new drive-through Halloween light show from World of Illumination, and it opens Wednesday, September 30 at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Opening night is still a few weeks out, so this is a good time to get the details straight. Below you'll find what the show is, the story it tells, where and when it runs, how tickets work, and the one date you'll want on your calendar right now: presale savings end September 13.

Zombie Zoo at a Glance

• What: A family-friendly Halloween light show you drive through in your own car
• Where: Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282
• Dates: September 30 through November 1, 2026, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays)
• Hours: Gates open at 6:30 PM, last entry at 10:00 PM
• Tickets: Online only, one ticket per car, prices vary by date
• Presale: Save up to 30% on select tickets through September 13

What Is Zombie Zoo Tempe, Exactly?

Zombie Zoo is World of Illumination's Halloween show for the Valley. If you know the company from its Christmas drive-throughs, the format is the same. You stay in your car, roll slowly along a route lined with animated light displays, and listen to a soundtrack through your car radio that's timed to the lights.

The difference is the season. Instead of reindeer and snowflakes, this one is all glowing pumpkins, eerie trees, and a cast of zoo animals who come back from the grave for one night of dancing. World of Illumination calls it "a family friendly Halloween adventure," and that's the right way to think about it. It's spooky in a fun way. Nobody jumps out at your car, and nobody has to walk through anything dark.

The whole drive takes about 20 to 30 minutes, so it fits into a school night without much trouble.

The Story: A Zoo Next Door to a Graveyard

Every World of Illumination show is built around a story, and Zombie Zoo has a good one.

Picture a zoo that sits right next to a graveyard. At midnight on Halloween, Tumba the Gorilla wakes the animals from their graves. They climb out and dance under the moon while DJ Monkey spins the Halloween soundtrack. The party keeps going until the moon starts to fade. Then Tumba takes his bow, and the animals head back to their graves to wait for next year.

You'll follow that story as you drive, scene by scene, with the music on your radio carrying it along. Your kids will probably pick a favorite character early. Our guess is Tumba gets a lot of votes, though DJ Monkey has a strong case.

Scenes to Watch For Along the Route

We won't spoil every moment, but here's what's been shared about the route so far:

• A swirling jack-o'-lantern vortex tunnel. Have your camera ready before you roll in.
• Towering spooky trees that loom over the road.
• Cobweb-draped habitats where the zoo's residents are waking up.
• Desert mummies, a fitting touch for an Arizona Halloween.
• Savannah zombies getting their groove back.
• Bamboo groves glowing with spirit lanterns.

Photos are encouraged, so roll the windows down when it's safe and tag your shots with #WorldofIllumination. If you like seeing how each season's story comes together, the themes page shows what World of Illumination has built in past years.

Where and When to Go

Zombie Zoo sets up at Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282. It's right off I-10, which makes it an easy drive from Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Scottsdale.

The season runs September 30 through November 1, 2026. It's open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. Gates open at 6:30 PM and the last car gets in at 10:00 PM, with the show staying open until 10:30 PM on select nights.

A few timing tips from how these shows usually go:

• Weeknights tend to move faster than Friday and Saturday nights.
• The last weekends before Halloween tend to be the busiest, so pick your night early if you have your heart set on one.
• It runs rain or shine, so a cloudy forecast doesn't mean a change of plans.

How Zombie Zoo Tempe Tickets Work

Tickets are sold online only on the Zombie Zoo ticket page. There's no box office at the gate, so buy before you drive over.

One ticket covers your whole car. You're paying per vehicle, not per person, which is good news for big families. Prices change by date, so if you're flexible, compare a few nights before you pick.

Right now there's a presale with savings of up to 30% on select tickets. Presale savings end September 13. If you already know you're going, that's the week to lock in your night.

Plans change, especially in October. If you need a different date, changes are free. If the new night costs more, you just pay the difference. Otherwise, ticket sales are final.

A couple of car rules to know before you buy. Oversized vehicles like buses, RVs, limos, extended vans, and anything towing a trailer aren't allowed on the route, and the vehicle restrictions page has the details. And if your group is coming in several cars, you can't consolidate at the park, so pile into one car before you arrive or buy a ticket for each.

Who It's Made For

Since everyone rides in their own car, Zombie Zoo works for groups that can't usually agree on a Halloween plan. Little kids stay buckled in their car seats. Grandparents don't have to deal with crowds or uneven ground. Teens get to pick the snacks and run the camera.

Your dog can come too, as long as it stays inside the vehicle. There are no concessions on site, but outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome, so pack the Halloween candy. Bringing a whole team, class, or office? Look at group events for larger bookings.

If your crew wants real screams, this isn't that. It's a light show with a story and a soundtrack, made so the youngest kid in the car has as much fun as everyone else.

What Comes After Halloween at the Stadium

Zombie Zoo wraps up November 1. Then the stadium switches seasons. Starting November 13, 2026, the same spot becomes Reindeer Road, World of Illumination's Christmas show, running through January 3, 2027.

So if Zombie Zoo becomes your family's October thing, you've got a reason to come back in December. Everything planned for the stadium is listed on the Tempe location page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Zombie Zoo Tempe open?

Opening night is Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The show runs through November 1, Tuesday through Sunday, with gates at 6:30 PM and last entry at 10:00 PM.

When does the presale end?

Presale savings of up to 30% on select tickets end September 13. After that, tickets are still sold online, and prices vary by date.

How does the music work?

The soundtrack plays through your car's FM radio. Staff at the entrance will show you which station to tune to, and there's more on the radio station FAQ. Just make sure your FM radio works before you go.

Can I buy tickets at the gate?

No. Tickets are sold online only, and one ticket covers one car.

Is Zombie Zoo scary?

Not really. It's billed as family-friendly, with no actors and no jump scares. The spooky stuff is glowing trees, cobwebs, and zombie zoo animals having a dance party.

Circle September 30

That's everything you need before opening night. Zombie Zoo is new to Tempe this fall, it's built for the whole family, and the best deal of the season disappears on September 13. Pick your night and grab your ticket, then get ready to see what happens when Tumba wakes up the zoo.