Photo Credit: Memories by Mike

Fall is no time for hibernating at the Detroit Zoo. The Zoo offers a whole gaggle of events for the autumn months, from animal adoption programs with the Michigan Humane Society to Michigan beer and Halloween-themed events. Dress up like one of the animals and check out some great events at one of Detroit’s most prized cultural attractions.

Photo credit: Detroit Zoo

Meet Your Best Friend Pet Adoption

Is it time to welcome a new pet into your loving home? On the first official day of fall, the Detroit Zoo and the Michigan Humane Society are partnering to host the annual Meet Your Best Friend event, where hundreds of dogs and puppies and cats and kittens will be available for immediate adoption. The event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 22 and Sunday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge to attend.

Zoo Brew

Lions and Tigers and beers... oh, my! As fun as it sounds to share a pint with one of our furry friends, this event is unfortunately sold out. However, if you’d like to be a good Samaritan, designated driver tickets will be available at the admission gate the night of the event for $20 and include Zoo admission, parking and unlimited soft drinks. Designated drivers must be 21 to enter and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

Fall Festival

When exotic animals meet hayrides and cider mills you get the Detroit Zoo’s Fall Festival. The festival, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., features live entertainment, fall-inspired food and beverages, pumpkin painting, inflatable slides, a straw maze and face painting. Entrance to Fall Festival is free with regular Zoo admission. Hayrides are $2 for adults, $1 for children (ages 2-14) and free to children under 2. The cost for the children’s activity area is $5 per child, payable at the event, and includes a mini pumpkin for each child to paint and take home.

Zoo Boo

What’s better than dressing up like an animal for Halloween? How about celebrating with the animals themselves? The last three weekends in October (12-14, 19-21 and 26-28), the Detroit Zoo hosts its annual “merry-not-scary” Zoo Boo. Come in costumes — try not to scare the animals — and enjoy trick-or-treating in the park, a Ghouly Games Tent, Haunted Reptile House, Zombie Zone and Wild Adventure 3-D/4-D Theater rides featuring the Wizard of Oz and Mumbles Wild Ride. Check the Detroit Zoo website for more details on Zoo Boo and all the events.

Bonus: School Pride

Lions roam in prides, so it’s fitting that the Detroit Zoo has pride of its own — school pride, that is. Need proof? In the spirit of fall football season, watch as this Detroit Zoo wolverine goes after Ohio State’s mascot, Brutus.

If you were going to dress like an animal for Halloween, which one would it be?