Guide to Creatures of the Night at ZooAmerica 2026
Zoo in Hershey Open After Dark on Fridays Through Sundays Starting Oct. 16
Grab your flashlight because the popular Creatures Of The Night event returns to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park starting Oct. 16, 2026. The Halloween-themed, after-hours experience will run from 6-9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1.
ZooAmerica will offer a special nighttime flashlight tour, animal enrichments and themed educational activities included with admission. Creatures Of The Night is the only time of year the 11-acre zoo in Hershey is open after dark, giving visitors a unique opportunity to bring a flashlight and explore the nighttime habits of nocturnal North American animals.
Check out this guide of activities and educational displays for the whole family during Creatures Of The Night, weather permitting.
Flashlight Tour of the Zoo
There is no better way to see the wild and fascinating animal activity that only happens after the sun sets than by flashlight! During Creatures Of The Night, guests of all ages can explore the zoo by flashlight under the cover of night. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own flashlights or use their mobile devices for optimal viewing of the outdoor habitats, including the black bear, Canada lynx, gray wolves, American elk and river otter. Flashlights are also available for purchase at the Admissions desk for added convenience.
A special bonus: guests can see the nocturnal animals in the Great Southwest building in “daylight,” a change from regular operating hours.
Scavenger Hunt
Guests of all ages can participate in fun, family-friendly quests such as finding hidden magic potion ingredients or uncovering history-themed clues scattered throughout animal habitats and buildings.
Animal Enrichment Activities
Guests can watch select animals, such as bobcats, gray wolves and desert species, enjoy special pumpkin-themed treats and enrichment items at 6:30 p.m. on each evening Creatures Of The Night is open.
- Friday night: Bobcats
- Saturday night: Gray wolves
- Sunday night: Great Southwest
Decorate a Luminary
Guests should bring their curiosity and creativity to ZooAmerica after dark! Children and families can help light up the night by decorating their own luminary bags in Big Sky Country, which are then placed on display inside the animal habitats. Supplies will be provided.
Furry Tales
Visitors can stop by a "spooky" tent on the bear patio to see furry friends, like ferrets or a skunk (animals will change nightly). They can also see and feel some of the food combinations given to the animals at ZooAmerica. Those who like arts and crafts can even color, with supplies provided.
Interactive Displays
Themed displays will be set up throughout ZooAmerica for guests to get an up-close look at some animals and learn about their survival.
- Creepy Crawler Display (Inside the Woodlands Classroom): Creepy crawler invertebrates will be displayed. Guests can see tarantulas, cockroaches, walking sticks, scorpions, mealworms and superworms.
- X-ray Station (Inside the Great Southwest Building): Back by popular demand from last year, guests can see an animal X-ray display. Team members will be on-site to discuss the various X-rays and answer questions.
- Wolf Artifact Station (Wolf Habitat): Visitors can see and feel various animal fur and paw prints. Team members will be on-site to talk to guests and answer questions about the gray wolves.
- Recycled Treasure Display (Across from Prairie Dog Habitat): Visitors can view a display of recycled treasures decorated by the ZooAmerica team.
Creatures Of The Night is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark Halloween only when accessing the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark. Separate admission, starting at $14.50 plus taxes and fees, is also available online for guests who plan to attend just Creatures Of The Night.
If you can’t make it to Creatures Of The Night, there are plenty of opportunities to visit ZooAmerica with daily operations this fall (closed Thanksgiving Day).