Adult Nights
Adult Nights 2026
Three Nights. Three Themes. One Unforgettable Summer.
Adult Nights are back!
Leave the kids at home and experience the zoo in a whole new way! Perfect for a date night or a night out with friends, Adult Nights are a series of after-hours events exclusively for guests ages 21 and older, each featuring its own unique theme, live entertainment, specialty drinks, delicious food, and unforgettable activities.
Explore the details below to find the night that's right for you, or join us for all three!
NEW for 2026
Premier Package - Includes event admission and extra perks
Adult Night Series Package - Includes admission to Tiki Night with one (1) drink ticket, Oktoberfest Night with 10 beer samples, and Adult Boo Night with one (1) drink ticket
2026 Themes
Tiki Night - August 22
Escape to the islands without ever leaving Sioux Falls!
Enjoy tropical-themed menu items, such as the Aloha Chicken Sandwich, or the Spicy Pineapple Meatballs, and quench your thirst with the specialty drink, Paradise Punch, all available to purchase throughout the zoo campus.
Be sure to enter for a chance to win a private animal experience for four led by one of our expert Zookeepers!
Premier Package includes event admission and one (1) drink ticket.
Tiki Night Schedule
- 5:30 pm: Early access for Premier and Series ticket holders
- 5:30-8:30 pm: Bars Open
- 5:30-8:30 pm: Lawn games on Primate Lawn
- 5:30-8:30 pm: Splash Pad Open
- 6-9 pm: General Admission - Visit your favorite animals!
- 7-8:30 pm: Live performance by Too Drunk to Fish on Shoreline (Green space near black bears)
- Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on during the performance.
Oktoberfest - September 26
Raise a stein and enjoy a wild twist on your classic Oktoberfest!
Bavarian-themed menu items will be available for purchase, such as Beer Cheese Loaded Fries, Brats, Bavarian Pretzels, and - of course - beer! Be sure to add the Sampler Package* when you purchase tickets to enjoy samples of some local brews throughout the zoo campus.
Be sure to enter for a chance to win a private animal experience for four led by one of our expert Zookeepers!
*Beer sample package add-on must be purchased at the time of ticket purchase. Samples will NOT be available for purchase on-site.
Premier Package includes event admission and 10 beer samples (beer samples will not be sold separately during the event).
Oktoberfest Schedule
- 5:30 pm: Early access for Premier and Series ticket holders
- 5:30-8:30 pm: Bars Open
- 5:30-8:30 pm: Lawn games on Primate Lawn
- 6-9 pm: General Admission - Visit your favorite animals!
- 6-8:30 pm: Test your skills at the Hammer & Nails game hosted by Rough Cut Social on the Primate Lawn
- 7-8:30 pm: Live performance by the Brass Holes on Shoreline (Green space near black bears)
- Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on during the performance.
Adult Boo - October 10
It's time for the adults to have their own Halloween fun!
Enjoy spooky-themed menu items, such as the Munster Mash Burger, or Mummy Pigs in a Blanket, and quench your thirst with the specialty drink, Hocus Pocus Punch, all available to purchase throughout the zoo campus.
Be sure to enter for a chance to win a private animal experience for four led by one of our expert Zookeepers!
Premier Package includes event admission and one (1) drink ticket.
Adult boo Schedule
- 5:30 pm: Early access for Premier and Series ticket holders
- 5:30-8:30 pm: Bars Open
- 5:30-8:30 pm: Lawn games on Primate Lawn
- 5:30-8:30 pm: Live DJ and Haunted House experience presented by Good Times Entertainment
- 6-9 pm: General Admission - Visit your favorite animals!
- 6:50-7 pm: Costume Contest at the DJ stand
- Individual and Couples/Group competitions.
- Winners decided by crowd cheer - bring your friends to cheer you on!
- Participation is limited to the first 15 individuals and 10 groups.
- Costumes must follow zoo guidelines.
Adult Boo Costume Guidelines
We want everyone to have a fun experience and feel free to express themselves, however, we ask that you please review our costume guidelines below:
- No inflatable costumes - they can agitate some of our sensitive animals.
- Costumes may not be offensive or violent in nature.
- Costumes may not contain any sharp or jutting objects that could harm other guests.
- Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium reserves the right to ask you to remove costume masks.