Night at the Zoo 2026

28. August 2026.

19:00

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28. August 2026.

00:00

Is the mole really blind? Does a hedgehog really carry apples on its spines? And is it true that bats get tangled in people’s hair? There are countless legends and misconceptions about animals that have been passed down from generation to generation. This year’s Night of Zoos focuses precisely on uncovering the truth behind these questions: “Facts and Myths in the Animal Kingdom.” On Friday, 28 August 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, 13 zoos and wildlife parks across Hungary will welcome visitors with special evening programs.

Through spectacular animal presentations, exciting talks and interactive activities, experts will reveal what is true about well-known animal stories and what is merely a myth. At Budapest Zoo, this year’s event will be given an extra special touch with a unique film-themed program.

Don’t miss one of the most special family experiences of the year!

OPENING HOURS

Gates open at 19:00 (Main Gate, Gate next to the Carousel, Biodome Gate)

Animal houses open at 19:00
Programs start at 19:30
Ticket offices close at 21:30
Programs end at 23:00
Animal houses close at 23:00

Gates close at 24:00 (Main Gate, Gate next to the Carousel, Biodome Gate)

Program details

Animal Experiences

19:30 Feeding the Tigers – Tiger Enclosure
19:30 Divers in the Deep – Shark School
19:30 Elephant Training – Behind the Elephant House
19:30 Camel Show – Next to the Camel Enclosure
20:00 Giant Otter Feeding – Giant Otter House
20:00 Lion Feeding – Lion Enclosure
20:30 Meet the Elephants – Elephant Pool
20:30 Snake Encounter – Palm House
21:30 Divers in the Deep – Shark School
21:30 Meet the Elephants – Elephant Pool
22:00 Snake Encounter – Palm House
Extra Experience 21:30–21:50 Tropical Rain in the Palm House

Main Gate Square Stage

19:00 City Mirror Animals
20:00 Kolos Concert
20:40 Tűzfészek Fire Juggling Troupe – Fire Theatre Performance
21:40 Hanga Zoltán in Conversation with Müller Péter Sziámi
22:10 Boggie Concert
22:45 Tűzfészek Fire Juggling Troupe – Fire Theatre Performance

Magic Mountain Starry Sky Stage (Presentations are held in Hungarian)

20:00 How Was Dr.S.O.S. Made? – Behind the Scenes of Filming Veterinary Action
20:30 Behind-the-Scenes Films About Nature Photography
21:00 Facts and Myths at the Zoo Hospital
21:30 Emergency at the Zoo Hospital – Film Excerpts

Biodome Terrace – Screened Presentations (Presentations are held in Hungarian)

19:30 The Biodome as a Film Studio
20:00 The Dinosaurs of Film – A Scientific Perspective
20:30 Dinosaurs in the Spotlight – How the Iconic Prehistoric Creatures of Cinema Were Made
21:00 The Magic of Film Sound
21:30 The Biodome as a Film Studio
22:00 The Dinosaurs of Film – A Scientific Perspective
22:30 Dinosaurs in the Spotlight – How the Iconic Prehistoric Creatures of Cinema Were Made

Next to the Alpaca Enclosure – Screened Presentations (Presentations are held in Hungarian)

20:00 Well-Known Beliefs About Lesser-Known Animals
20:30 Astronomy Presentation
21:00 Well-Known Beliefs About Lesser-Known Animals
21:30 Astronomy Presentation
22:00 Well-Known Beliefs About Lesser-Known Animals

In Front of the India House – Screened Presentations (Presentations are held in Hungarian)

20:00 Animals Miscast
20:30 The Wild Is Not Hollywood – The Lion Created by Films
21:00 Animals Miscast
21:30 The Wild Is Not Hollywood – The Lion Created by Films
22:00 Animals Miscast
22:30 The Wild Is Not Hollywood – The Lion Created by Films

In Front of the Otter House – Screened Presentations (Presentations are held in Hungarian)

20:00 Into the Real Spider-Verse! – Facts and Myths About Spiders
20:30 Venom, Myth and Reality
21:00 Into the Real Spider-Verse! – Facts and Myths About Spiders
21:30 Venom, Myth and Reality
22:00 Into the Real Spider-Verse! – Facts and Myths About Spiders
22:30 Venom, Myth and Reality

Biodome Outdoor Enclosure – Next to the Camels/Horses – Screened Presentations (Presentations are held in Hungarian)

20:30 Fabulous Horses, Real Facts
21:00 Camels: Myths and Facts
21:30 Who Knows the Most About Horses? – Quiz
22:00 Fabulous Horses, Real Facts
22:30 Who Knows the Most About Horses? – Quiz

Continuous Programs from 19:30 to 23:00

The Realm of the Six-Legged – Magic Mountain, World of Tiny Creatures
Zoo Scenes and Secrets of Film Production – Seal Pool
Arts and Crafts Workshop – Palm House Terrace
Gardena Station – Palm House Terrace
Gardening Stand – Opposite the Ranch
Nighttime Fortunes – African Hut
A Porcupine Is Not a Hedgehog – Interactive Program, Next to the Wombat House
Animal Feed Presentation – Great Lake Shore
Face Painting – Biodome Lobby
Light Painting – Australian House, Great Lake, Great Rock, Palace Building, Biodome Lobby Entrance
Interactive Gardening Presentation – Japanese Garden
Planetarium Shows – Biodome Lobby
Ask the Astronomer – Biodome Lobby
Fairy-Tale Maze – Biodome Lobby
Animal Facts and Urban Legends Maze – Biodome Lobby
Tactile Zoo – Biodome Urban Oasis
Ultimate T.Rex – Virtual Reality Experience – Biodome Urban Oasis
Wild Explorer – Virtual Reality Experience – Palm House Terrace
Funfair
Schaftner’s Carousel

Animal Houses and Exhibitions Open from 19:00 to 23:00

Japanese Garden
Palm House
Dragon House
Xantus House
Ranch
Venomous House
Magic Mountain
Elephant House
Farm
Shark School
Biodome Urban Oasis
Biodome Lobby

We reserve the right to make changes to the program.

Useful info

Tickets will be available continuously from 8 August 2026 (Saturday) via the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden’s online ticketing platform, as well as at the on-site ticket offices and ticket machines during opening hours.
Daytime admission tickets and the various Zoo passes are not valid for the evening event. The event can only be visited with a ticket specifically purchased for the Night of Zoos. For details, please see the Ticket and Pass Prices page.
A maximum of 7,000 people may be present in the Zoo at the same time during the event.
The on-site ticket offices and admission will close at 9:30 pm during the event.
The programmes can be attended in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, with particular regard to the public health regulations in force on the day of the event.
Sound and lighting effects will be used during the programmes.
Certain areas of the Zoo will be closed during the evening event for safety and animal welfare reasons.
We are not responsible for any unattended belongings left on the Zoo premises or for valuables brought by our guests.
We reserve the right to make changes to the programme. We make every effort to provide accurate programme information, but minor changes may occur compared to the published programme.
The event’s rain policy can be found here.

Ticket prices

Adult ticket (14 years and over): 8,000 HUF
Child ticket (2–14 years): 5,500 HUF
Baby ticket (0–2 years): 400 HUF

Online Ticket Purchase >>

Entrance

Main Gate, gate next to the Carousel, Biodome Gate

Toilets

Main Gate Square, Palm House, Great Rock, opposite the Wildlife Rescue Centre, next to the Coral Reef Playground, Biodome: Level 1, accessible toilet: lobby

Exit point

Main Gate Square, Gate next to the Carousel, Biodome Gate