A zoo for zombies is coming to Glasgow this Halloween, with GlasGLOW returning to Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Created and produced by Glasgow-based itison, the event runs between 16 October and 1 November 2026. You’ll follow an outdoor light and sound trail through the gardens, with a Zombie Zoo theme for 2026.
This ninth edition will feature interactive decontamination tunnels and zombie laboratories, an eight-metre Zombie God and a zombie cage. Returning favourites include the pumpkin patch, street food village and Marshmallowland, so it’s not all about the undead.
What GlasGLOW’s Zombie Zoo Will Involve
The story centres on a fictional facility that contains and cares for zombies. Organiser itison calls it the “world’s first ever zombie containment and conservation facility”. That’s a promotional claim for this year’s theme, rather than an actual conservation project.
The 60-minute outdoor light and sound trail includes observation laboratories, live feeding demonstrations and encounters with the zoo’s fictional residents. Expect lighting, sound and special effects around the Botanic Gardens after dark. The organiser describes the experience as family-friendly Halloween entertainment.
One of the larger installations is an eight-metre-tall dancing Zombie God. You’ll also encounter the Zombie Cage, while the interactive route takes you through the decontamination tunnels. There’s a fair bit going on beyond a walk past some lights.
Oli Norman, chief executive of itison and founder of GlasGLOW, said: “I’ve wanted to bring zombies to GlasGLOW for years, and we’ve gone all out to make this year’s show our biggest and most ambitious yet.”
He explained the playful premise: “What we’ve discovered while building Zombie Zoo is that zombies are actually very misunderstood. They just need a bit of love and nurture and we can’t wait for everyone to come meet them.”
Pumpkins, Street Food and Marshmallowland Return
The glowing pumpkin patch returns alongside the zombie installations, as does Marshmallowland, where families can toast marshmallows. There will also be a Zombie Bar at this year’s event.
If you’re planning to eat there, the returning street food village includes churros from Loop & Scoop, pizzas from Mangiamo, fried chicken from Dirty Bird, loaded fries from Fries Guys and Philly cheesesteaks from Hector & Harriet.
GlasGLOW also supports the itison Pumpkin Fund, which has raised more than £100,000 since 2019 for charities. The fund has donated more than 10,000 free tickets and thousands of pumpkins to community groups, hospitals and charities.
GlasGLOW Zombie Zoo is scheduled to open on Friday 16 October and run through Halloween, finishing on Sunday 1 November. If you’re making a day trip of it, our one-day Glasgow itinerary can help you plan your sightseeing before the evening trail.
