Event type
Experience
Event status
Passed
Dates
9 June - 28 July
Price
£21.50

Sorry! Zoo Nights has now come to an end but you can register your interest below to be among the first to hear about next year's event: 

 

2023 reviews

  • The perfect event for big kids at heart with face painting, games and so many animals to see...a great way to spend a summer evening.
    - This is Local London
  • Nature stays up late, and to experience the best of it, we recommend that you do, too.
    - Metro: The Slice weekly email

From 9 June - 28 July 2023, the Zoo open from 6pm - 10pm every Friday, just for adults! As the sun went down, guests joined us after hours at London Zoo for an evening mixing wildlife and London city life. Zoo Nights is one of the best things to do in London - the most unmissable event of the summer, tickets are strictly limited so don’t hang about - register your interest for next year's event today!

With no kids in sight, explore our world of wildlife in the heart of the city at Zoo Nights - with fun talks and grown-up tours* – including the return of The Birds and Bees tour, where our expert guides will reveal what the animals really get up to as the sun sets and unravel the mysteries of sex in the animal kingdom.

Zoo Nights - brand new for 2023

Plus, brand new for 2023, test your skills against your friends in a variety of animal-themed games around the Zoo. Do you have the speed of a cheetah or the stealth of a tiger? The mind of an ape or the steadiness of a sloth? Compete against your friends and let the winner take to the podium in their rightful place as number one! 

1000 rubber ducks have also arrived at the Zoo as our famous Grade I listed Lubetkin Penguin Pool is being transformed into a giant ‘Hook a Duck’* – don't miss it!

*Additional charges apply

London street food on a Friday night

When you’ve worked up an appetite exploring Zoo Nights, take your pick of street food vendors offering exciting flavours and unique dishes from around the globe, and grab a drink from one of our pop-up watering holes.

You can also pre-order our new Plant Power Pack* for a premium vegan treat. All made from vegan and sustainable ingredients, the Plant Power Pack comes with 1x canned cocktail, flatbread with hummus and harissa dip pots, your choice of one of our delicious vibrant salads, and of course a sweet treat for dessert. 

You'll be able to pick up your ready-to-go Plant Power Pack on the night from the Barista bar outside the Terrace restaurant to enjoy out and about in the Zoo, so you can make the most of seeing our animal residents! You can add the Plant Power Pack to your order when you buy your Zoo Nights tickets (subject to availability).

BOOK zoo nights tickets

*Additional charges apply

Please note: Our animals have varying bedtimes throughout the evening but most animals’ bedtimes at Zoo Nights will be from 9pm onwards. We strongly advise arriving with enough time to make the most of the evening and see our animals before they wind down for bed.

 

A ‘Hook a Duck’ is just one of the games to play at Zoo Nights

Zoo Nights Pride Takeover, hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race star Cheryl Hole

On 30 June, celebrate Pride Takeover at Zoo Nights hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race star, Cheryl Hole! Get involved in a whole host of pride-themed activities - from designing your own animal 'drag mascot', to pride quizzes and learning about LGBTQIA+ behaviours in nature, as well as influential LGBTQIA+ figures within the science & conservation industry.

Be photo-ready with a trip to our face painting tent for fun pride-themed designs and capture the evening with our 360 video booth in front of the illuminated rainbow ZSL sign to share on your social channels.

RuPaul's Drag Race star Cheryl Hole
Arya investigates Pride heart at London Zoo
Zoo Nights Pride Takeover

What others say

  • Cannot recommend this night enough! Had such an amazing time seeing all the animals (with no kids around!) and the atmosphere was great.
  • Food was excellent, atmosphere fun, loads of happy friendly people. Saw loads of animals before their bedtime and it was nice to wander around the zoo when some of the animals were a bit more active than they are in the daytime.
  • We absolutely loved the evening! It was such a refreshing change to visit a zoo without children. The atmosphere was so calm and peaceful, and everyone could enjoy the zoo, letting out their inner child. Excellent experience!
Group taking a selfie in front of giant #LondonZoo sign
Couple watching penguin swimming in penguin beach pool
Chill out to live music and entertainment

Frequently asked questions

How long will the event last?

Gates will open for Zoo Nights at 6pm, with last entry at 9pm. The event will finish at 10pm. Please note our animals' bedtimes vary, with the majority of our animal habitats closing at 9pm. All animal habitats will close at 9.30pm.

Zoo Nights tickets do not include entry to the Zoo during the day.

What are the animal bedtimes?

Animal habitats will start to close from 8.30pm as our animals wind down for bed, with the majority of animal habitat closing at 9pm. We strongly advise arriving at the Zoo with plenty of time to see our animals (doors open from 6pm).

For a full list of animal bedtimes, please check the What’s On board in Barclay Court when you arrive. 

Can I bring in food and drink to Zoo Nights?

Drinks and liquids cannot be brought into the Zoo at Zoo Nights. You may be asked to empty your bottle at the gate but there are water refill stations in the Zoo (look out for the water drop sign on the maps). 

Visitors can bring their own food into the Zoo but we also have a fantastic array of street food vendors on site, especially for Zoo Nights.

Are Zoo Nights tickets included in my membership?

As this is a special event, members will need to book Zoo Nights tickets separately in advance. Entry is not included as part of the Gold or Silver membership packages and we do not offer membership discounts on Zoo Nights tickets.

Can I use Universal Credit tickets for Zoo Nights?

Unfortunately because Zoo Nights is a special ticketed event, Universal Credit tickets cannot be used for Zoo Nights admissions. 

 

Attending the event with a carer

For visitors needing to attend the event with a carer, entry is free for one carer. please speak to our Supporter Contact team on 0344 225 1826 or [email protected] so that we can coordinate your request. The team may ask you to provide reasonable evidence such as PIP or DLA documents. You may also be asked for relevant documentation on arrival at the Zoo entrance so please remember to bring it along with you on the night.

I have a question or problem regarding my tickets. Who should I contact?

You can contact the SEE customer service using the London Zoo customer service portal (you’ll need your booking reference number):
LONDON ZOO CUSTOMER SERVICE PORTAL

I’ve bought a ticket for The Birds and The Bees tour, where do I go on the night?

Tours will start from outside the gift shop in Barclay Court. Please ensure you arrive at the event with plenty of time before your tour time, as tours will depart on time. 

I’ve bought a VIP champagne experience ticket, where do I go on the night?

Champagne experiences will take place at Penguin Beach – please head over to the decking at Penguin Beach for your chosen time slot.

Where do I pick up my pre-ordered Plant Power Pack on the night?

You'll be able to pick up your ready-to-go Plant Power Pack on the night from the Barista bar outside the Terrace restaurant to enjoy out and about in the Zoo, so you can make the most of seeing our animal residents! When you collect your Plant Power Pack, you'll be given the choice of the following two salads (subject to availability):
• Chickpea and aubergine salad: Radicchio, baby spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, preserved lemon, Pestorissa (vegan)
• Falafel and bulgar wheat salad: Bulgar wheat, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onion, parsley, mint, dates, pomegranate molasses

Please ensure you come and collect your Plant Power Pack before 8.30pm.

Zoo Nights VIP Sleepover - SOLD OUT

Zoo Nights VIP Sleepover - SOLD OUT

London Zoo Lodges

One of London's biggest and best secrets - our VIP Sleepover allows you to enjoy all the fun of Zoo Nights, without having to go home right away. Sleep over at London Zoo in our en-suite lodges, right in the heart of Land of the Lions! In the morning you will get to enjoy a buffet breakfast, and then an exclusive tour before the zoo opens.

Included in this experience: 

  • A complimentary drink upon arrival
  • An overnight stay in a private lodge - double or twin bed, en-suite, complimentary toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities 
  • A buffet breakfast
  • One exclusive tour in the morning after breakfast 
  • Entry to our Zoo Nights adults-only event
  • Dinner vouchers for our onsite food vendors
  • Free entry into London Zoo for two days either side of your night's stay. You are also welcome to visit Whipsnade Zoo on your second day
  • Free car parking (this is valid upon showing ticket confirmation at car park entrance)
  • Exclusive 15% discount on our Meet the Animals experiences (Meet the Monkeys, Meet the Meerkats, and the Giraffe Keeper experience)
  • 10% discount in the gift shop

Absolutely one of the best places to stay in London this summer

Please visit our Lodges - Frequently Asked Questions page to find out more about your deluxe accommodation.

Please note that this experience is different to our regular London Zoo Lodges experience, only what is stated above is included.

Our Zoo Nights VIP sleepover has now sold out, but you can stay over at the Zoo throughout the year - find out more

VIP Champagne Experience - SOLD OUT

VIP Champagne Experience - SOLD OUT

 

Make the evening extra special with our VIP champagne experience. Treat yourself and your plus one to a glass of bubbly overlooking our black and white flippered friends at Penguin Beach - perfect for a summer London date night.*

The Zoo Nights VIP champagne experience has now sold out. 

*Additional charges apply.