ZOOBOO
Sept 25 – Oct 31 | Activities run 2-7pm Wed/Thur/Sun & 2-9pm Fri-Sat| Closes Early on Saturday, October 5 for Brewfari
Is regular October too humdrum, but haunted houses too creepy-crawly? Come to the Zoo for Halloween activities, amazing animals and pumpkins galore! ZooBoo is a fun family experience for itty-bitty ghouls and goblins as well as the bigger kids. October weather means active animals, colorful foliage and a new season to explore. Combine that with engaging, hands-free activities, spooktacular costumes and trick-or-treating, and you’ve got an unforgettable family tradition. ZooBoo!
Best of all, ZooBoo is free for Zoo members and included with regular admission.
The Bicentennial Pavilion is home to a whimsical village where the Patch DJ keeps guests on their toes with thriller dance parties! New this year, guests can explore the spooky & mysterious Leeward Manor, where they’ll meet meet the Leeward Sisters – Terra, Wisp and Bubbles, and their fortune-telling cousin Clara Voyent, as they conjure up plenty of Halloween magic. The Mirror Maze makes a haunting return with thrills and smiles hidden behind every corner.
MORE ZOOBOO FUN!
- New this year! – Explore the spooky & mysterious Leeward Manor, where you’ll meet meet the Leeward Sisters – Terra, Wisp and Bubbles, as they conjure up plenty of Halloween magic.
- Bat Alley – Meet Myotis, the Leeward Sisters’ cousin, and her winged friends hanging around the White River Gardens.
- Scarecrow Photo Safari – Bring your cameras for a spooky guided adventure through the Forests
- Trick-or-Treat Trail — Grab your treat bags and collect your goodies from 8 different treat stations in the Plains
- Adult Trick-or-Treat Trail presented by Zink Distributing — Friday and Saturday from 5-8pm (while supplies last)
- Roller Ghoster — Indianapolis’ only roller coaster with a fun, Halloween twist!
- Round-Go-Merry — the carousel that moves in reverse. Open until 7pm
- Spook-Track-Ular Train Ride — Enjoy a ride for a special view of the Zoo behind the scenes. Open until 7pm
- Gator Pirate Bayou – Arrr! The shipwrecked Boney Scute Pirate crew are looking for new recruits. Try your luck in their pirate themed games to test your skills as a pirate. Will you join the crew or walk the plank?
- Aunty Guzzle’s Potions – Help Aunty Guzzle create tasty and bizarre Halloween concoctions with potions, witchcraft and “magical ingredients.” Located at Café on the Commons
COLLECT GOODIES ALONG THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL
- This year, the Trick-or-Treat Trail has eight treat stations in the Plains exhibit.
- Children are encouraged to wear costumes and bring a reusable bag to collect all kinds of goodies at our eight treat stations.
- Look for hand sanitizer along the trail, with additional sanitizing stations throughout ZooBoo.
- We proudly provide only items that are palm oil-free, contain sustainably sourced palm oil or are produced by a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, which is working to make orangutan-friendly palm oil readily available.
- Find an orangutan-friendly Halloween candy list or check out the mobile app from our friends at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
We’ve conjured up all sorts of eerie sweets and treats, plus some frightful fests just for ZooBoo. Sink your teeth into the Hocus Pocus Burger or the Chilling Chili Cheese Taters while you sip on some of Aunty Guzzle’s Potions. Finish your meal with Chupacabra Churros or a Poltergeist Parfait.
There are spirits hiding in ZooBoo too! Our adult guests can enjoy a Scary Cherry Mule or a Myotis Martini – two delicious cocktails created especially for ZooBoo by our friends at Hotel Tango.
Browse all our new menu items and find out where these ZooBoo-lishious specialties are available.
Watch as many animals enjoy Halloween-themed enrichment and extra animal chats throughout the event. View the ZooBoo map for the full scheudle.
The elephant herd gets into the Halloween spirit with the squash-splattering fun of the Elephant Pumpkin Smash!
- Arrive early to visit your favorite furry friends before ZooBoo activites begin at 2pm.
- With ZooBoo open late on fridays and Saturdays, you can also visit Oceans, Dolphin Pavilion, Deserts Dome, the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center and the new Penny & Jock Fortune International Chimpanzee Complex until 9pm on those nights.
- Our Forests, Flights of Fancy and plains exhibits will remain open until dusk.
Meet our adorable black foster kittens who are looking for their forever homes. These playful young felines are available for adoption after Halloween through our friends at Indianapolis Animal Care Services.
Halloween isn’t just for little ones. Brewfari, presented by Scarlet lane Brewing Co. offers a fun night just for the adults! Join us for a night of craft beers, costumes, live music, palm readings and lots of wild fun!
Help Create the Halloween Magic
VOLUNTEER FOR ZOOBOO
Whether fall is your favorite season, you love the zoo or you want to give back to the community, we want to hear from you! We’re looking for volunteers ages 16 and older to help us bring ZooBoo to life and the spirit of Halloween to our guests!
- Volunteers may help:
Greet and interact with guests - Assist with activities and games
- Pass out candy on the Trick or Treat Trail
- And more!
Visit our Volunteer page for more information about upcoming opportunities.
Thanks to Our Partners:
Specialty Wine Sponsor of Zoo Special Events
Official Cocktail Provider of Zoo Special Events
ZooBoo Treat Station Sponsor
ZooBoo Safety Sponsor
ZooBoo Adult Trick-Or-Treat Trail Sponsor