Boo! at the Zoo runs from October 3 to 25 at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, free with admission!
Check out some of the best ways to experience the fall festivities alongside the animals.
1. Show Off Your Wildest Costumes
The highlight of Boo! at the Zoo is the chance for kids — and adults — to show off their creative costumes with photo-ops and a parade during the weekends. Costume parades are weekends only at East Mall, starting outside BZ Red Hots, at 12 and 3 p.m. Check our costume rules on the event page.
If you miss the parade, have no fear (no matter the season). There are plenty of great places to stop for a photo around the park, including a giant spider, skeletons, hay bales, and more.
2. Trick-or-Treat Around the Park
We haven't forgotten the most important part of Halloween: trick-or-treating! On Saturdays and Sundays during Boo! at the Zoo, guests can trick-or-treat at five different candy stations, all sponsored by Ferrara Candy. Weekend stations are across the Zoo at East Mall, the Grove, and North and South Gate Markets. Guests can continue trick-or-treating during the week at Coast Gifts and North and South Gate Markets only.
Ferrara uses sustainably sourced palm oil in their candy, which helps protect orangutan habitats from deforestation. If you want to check your treats at home, you can download the free PalmOil Scan app to see if a company supports sustainable palm oil and keeps Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List) orangutans safe.
3. Learn About Mysterious Animals
Themed weekend Zoo Chats highlight animals that fit the season, such as wolves in the woods, ghostly moon jellies, and yellow-eyed lemurs. Did you know “lemur” comes from the Latin word “lemure,” meaning “ghosts” or “spectres?” Come learn more spooky facts with our animal care specialists.
And if you want to get even closer to creatures with a creepy-crawly reputation, you can book a brand-new, limited-time Not-So-Scary Animal Encounter at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends in October. You’ll learn all about why misunderstood animals like spiders are important to their ecosystems. Make sure to get your encounter tickets ahead of time!
4. Encounter Roaming Characters
New this year, guests can run into roaming performers on Boo! weekends. Be enchanted by a mermaid princess, spot a juggler's tricks, watch out for the Pumpkin King, and more around Roosevelt Fountain from 12 to 3 p.m. Check the event schedule to see when favorite characters will make an appearance.
5. Get Festive With Pumpkin Decorating and Animal Enrichment
A highlight of Boo! at the Zoo every year is pumpkin decorating! Visitors can pay to decorate a pumpkin on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. near the Beer Garden at East Mall ($9.99 for one pumpkin, $16.99 for two). You can also stop by Hamill Family Play Zoo for free Halloween crafts.
From sloth bears and spider monkeys to meerkats and bats, the animals also get to participate in the event with pumpkin enrichment. The enrichment is not only fitting for the season, but it also stimulates the animals mentally and physically. Check the schedule to find out who is getting pumpkins when!
6. Play on a Free Inflate-a-Boo!
Full of candy? Kids can get their energy out by hopping on free inflatables southwest of the Carousel, Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Inflate-a-Boo! bounce house is for children ages 3 to 10.
7. Try New Halloween-Themed Treats
During Boo! at the Zoo, you can enjoy limited-time seasonal treats, like cider floats, monster rice crispies, caramel apples, and more. For a heartier meal, order the Gabaghoul sandwich or Phantom Pie pizza from Roaring Oven. Make-your-own s’mores was a hit during Holiday Magic, so we’re offering it on Boo! at the Zoo weekends, too, for an additional charge.
On October 24, you can attend Boo Brunch at the Pavilions for even more harvest flavors and sweets. The event includes delicious brunch favorites with some hauntingly good twists, a live Interactive DJ, free kids’ face painting, and more. Boo Brunch is at 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12 to 1:30 p.m. A ticket to Boo Brunch includes Zoo admission, so feel free to come early or stay late to enjoy other Halloween festivities around the park!
8. Go on Keebler's Spookie Fudge Stripes Scavenger Hunt
This year, Keebler® is hosting a striped scavenger hunt inspired by their fudge-striped Halloween cookies! Scan a QR code on signs around the park and follow the clues to find striped animals and learn fun facts about them. Guests who play are entered for a chance to win a Family Annual Membership or an animal feeding experience.
Plus, you can taste-test the cookies themselves at a Keebler tent near North Gate during the weekends, while supplies last. If you’re here on October 10, you could even meet Keebler’s Ernie the Elf!
9. Collect Paranormal Paraphernalia
Across the Zoo, visitors can find limited edition Mold-a-Ramas in honor of Boo! at the Zoo, such as an Orange Frankenstein, Brown Bat, White Skull, and more. The gift shops are also stocked with new neon bat plushies, tees with costumed dinos, and cozy fall-colored hoodies.
10. Say Farewell to Dinos
The dinos will be around for the fall colors! Be sure to say goodbye before they leave on October 25. Plus, for Boo! at the Zoo, keep an eye out for dino skeletons at Formal Pool or the Nature Stage.
Catch the free Dinosaur Ranger Academy show on weekends at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Afterwards, head over to Dino Dig Alley and meet Dinosaur Ranger Brook and her three baby dinos.
Thanks for learning about our prehistoric past with us this fall!
Join us for Boo! at the Zoo from October 3 to 25.
