On June 18, the Detroit Zoo traded daytime crowds for an after-hours experience as Sunset at the Zoo returned, bringing together food, entertainment, and exclusive access across the grounds in support of the Detroit Zoological Society.
Presented by KeyBank, the annual event transforms the zoo into one of metro Detroit’s signature summer evenings, featuring local restaurants, live music, animal encounters, and early access to the newly opened Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails.
Beyond the atmosphere and programming, the event serves a critical purpose: funding the Detroit Zoological Society’s work in animal care, education, and global conservation.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and this helps us support our mission and everything that we do,” said Megan Gregg, senior event manager for the Detroit Zoological Society. “The money raised tonight is both in our backyard and globally.”
A Year in the Making
Sunset at the Zoo is not a single-night production.
“It takes every single department to put something like this event on,” Gregg said. “It really takes a whole year to plan and get everything organized and prepared for the following year.”
Each year, the event evolves based on previous successes and new programming.
“We look at what worked well the year before, and we also try to theme it,” Gregg said. “All of our colors, decor and theming went around those vibrant colors and everything that connected into Discovery Trails.”
Behind the scenes, Event Supervisor Allyson Szydlowski led the planning process.
“Ally oversaw the entire planning for the last year, and she is the one that really had a vision and made tonight come to life,” Gregg said.
A Record Year for Support
This year’s event also marked a milestone in sponsorship engagement.
“This year was a record year with sponsorship,” Gregg said. “We absolutely couldn’t do this event without the partnerships that we have with these sponsors.”
Those partnerships help sustain not only Sunset at the Zoo, but the broader mission of the Detroit Zoological Society. This includes daily animal care to conservation work across all seven continents.
“We really want to create those meaningful connections between people, animals, and the natural world, so people really understand what the zoo does and what we stand for,” Gregg said.
Party Pics: Sunset at the Zoo 2026
Guests Rediscover the Zoo
For many attendees, Sunset at the Zoo offered a chance to return to a familiar place in a new setting.
Caren and Bob Vondell said they had attended years prior but returned this year after receiving an invitation they couldn’t pass up. For them, the experience balanced food, atmosphere, and the animals themselves.
“All the food stuff is great, but walking around the zoo is even better,” they said.
Other guests, like Darrin Rottell and Claire Sullivan, described the evening as both a first-time discovery and a reminder of how close the zoo is to home.
“I never think to come to the zoo, and I live right there,” Rottell said. “I was like, yeah, I should come to the zoo more.”
Sullivan added that the experience carried a sense of nostalgia.
“I never come as an adult, not with children in tow, which was kind of fun, to have that experience of childhood as an adult,” she said.
Rottell added about attending Sunset at the Zoo for the first time, “It was a fun surprise. I didn’t know what to expect. I’m so surprised by all the food, drink options and fun freebies.”
Stingray Cove Draws Crowds
One of the evening’s most popular attractions was the Aaron and Carolynn Frankel Stingray Cove, part of the Erb Discovery Trails expansion. The interactive habitat allows guests to touch and feed stingrays and bamboo sharks.
Guest Ash Galazka described the experience as both stunning and memorable.
“We paid extra and got to feed the stingrays. It was amazing,” she said. “They kind of just come up on your hand and suck it up like a vacuum…I was a little scared to feed it, but I’ve pet them before and they feel so smooth.”
More is in store for Stingray Cove, including an upcoming “Wade with the Rays” experience where guests can pay to get in the pool, feed the stingrays and sit with them.
Volunteers Power the Evening
Behind the scenes, nearly 70 volunteers supported the event across guest services, habitats, and sponsor activations.
Volunteer Services Manager Crystal Bell said participation in Sunset at the Zoo has a lottery system due to its popularity. In total, the Detroit Zoo relies on between 1,200 and 1,400 volunteers annually across daily operations, events, and corporate partnerships.
“It’s amazing to see how we all come together for that one cause and really connect people to nature,” Bell said.
Those interested in volunteering can apply through the Detroit Zoo’s website by selecting the “Volunteer” link in the upper right corner, which leads directly to the application process.
Volunteer roles include guest engagement, educational interpretation at habitats, and support for major events like Sunset at the Zoo.
For staff, volunteers, and guests alike, Sunset at the Zoo extends beyond a single evening, reflecting the Detroit Zoological Society’s mission in action. As the night wound down, that connection was visible across the grounds, in shared experiences, conversations, and a zoo reimagined after dark.
For more information about the Detroit Zoo’s programs, events, and conservation work, visit detroitzoo.org and detroitzoologicalsociety.org.
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