Tempe Diablo Stadium, normally home to spring training baseball, has transformed into a glowing drive-thru zombie habitat stretching more than a mile, with over 1 million lights strung across the parking lot and grounds. The attraction, called Zombie Zoo, runs nightly through November 1, letting families watch glowing zombies and animated creatures roll past their windshields while a synchronized soundtrack plays through their car radios.
World of Illumination officially launched Zombie Zoo on September 30, according to World of Illumination, marking the company's first dedicated Halloween-themed drive-thru show. As ABC15 reported, the attraction spans more than a mile and includes glowing zombies, colorful displays and synchronized music, with the whole experience designed for the entire family and without scares. Organizers recommend drivers crawl through at 3 to 5 mph, tuning their FM radios to a designated station to hear the show's soundtrack sync up with the lights outside.
A Vortex Tunnel and Animal Habitats Among the Highlights
The display features more than 600 illuminated themed sculptures, a jack-o'-lantern vortex tunnel and animated zombie animal habitats, all tied together by that same FM-synced soundtrack, per World of Illumination. Zombie Zoo operates from 6:30 to 10 p.m., and the station's report notes families can experience the entire route for one price per vehicle rather than paying per person. Tickets start at $39.99 per vehicle and are sold exclusively online, with promotional discount codes offered through local media partners.
In December 2024, Hoodline covered drive-through displays from World of Illumination at two locations. Zombie Zoo represents the company's push into Halloween programming for the first time.
Beyond baseball, the venue has also hosted a July 4 event, which Hoodline covered last year, featuring live music and a drone show.
Record Halloween Spending Fuels the Drive-Thru Boom
Zombie Zoo's arrival comes as Halloween spending nationwide is expected to hit a record $13.5 billion in 2026, according to the National Retail Federation's annual survey. Average per-person spending reached $115.14 this year, and the survey found that 74% of American adults plan to celebrate Halloween, up from 73% in 2025 and 68% in pre-pandemic 2019.
For families mapping out a trip, the attraction runs nightly through November 1 at Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Drive, with tickets available only through the event's website.
