Boo at the Zoo is hands down one of my all-time favorite October happenings! Picture this: every weekend throughout October, the entire zoo gets a super cool Halloween makeover from top to bottom. It’s not the spooky kind of Halloween, though; it’s all about fun and excitement. As you stroll around, you’ll discover treat stations, rolling parties, friendly character hosts, awesome scavenger hunts, and tons of other cool stuff to make your visit a blast!

Things to Do

Tommy C. Turtle’s Trick or Treat Trail
Visit the 7 treat stations located around Conservation Lake and throughout Asia Quest. Look out for two teal pumpkin stations offering candy alternatives. Be eco-friendly by bringing your own candy collection unit.

Character Ambassador Rolling Celebrations
Look out for the Character Express as it brings four different themed musical cavalcades to this year’s Boo at the Zoo.   *Subject to weather conditions*

Character Ambassador Halloween Meet n Greets
Come say hi to your favorite Zoo Character Ambassadors dressed in their Halloween best!  They will be appearing throughout the event to snap a pic with all of their Boo at the Zoo Friends outside of Lakeside Pavilion. 

Jessie’s Jack-o-lantern Journey
Guests are welcome to take a self-guided tour of this enchanted path that includes all things pumpkin, located in Asia Quest. It is sure to get your gourd with hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins big and small with magical pumpkins round and tall. They are all so incredible, it will be hard to choose your favorite.

Character Craze Hay Maze
You will be a-mazed at your ability to navigate through this festive fall experience made of over 40 bales of straw.  Located outside of Lakeside Pavilion, Friday through Sunday from 12:00 pm to close.

Giant Pumpkin Carving
Max Elephant has found some elephant-sized pumpkins and they are on display for your enjoyment. A skilled craftsman will be demonstrating his skills as he carves another jumbo masterpiece in Asia Quest on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Community Dance Performers
Columbus Dance Arts Academy and Lineage Dance Company will perform upbeat dance performances themed to the Halloween season.
Columbus Dance Arts Academy – Saturday, October 21st and 28th
Lineage Dance Company – Sunday, October 29th at 2:00 pm

Zoo Boo Choo-Choo Train to Vertebrate Village
All-aboard for a round trip train ride to Vertebrate Village filled with skeletal creatures large and small. You will find that the residents at the village are “bone” to be wild! Located in the North America region and open daily from 12:00 pm to close.  
*Additional fee; subject to weather and mechanical conditions*

4-D Theater
Experience the fun of 4-D at the Columbus Zoo’s 4-D Theatre, located in Shores Play Park.  Stimulate all of your senses with a quick flick!  The fall shows are Super Pets and Happy Family Next Level 4D.  Open daily from 12:00 pm to close.*Additional fee; subject to weather and mechanical conditions*

Sydnee Koala’s Royal Carousel
Whether you are a prince or a pauper, princess Sydnee invites you to take a spin on this 1914 Mangels/Illions Carousel. A regal experience for royals of all ages. Open daily from 12:00 pm to close. *Additional fee; Subject to weather and mechanical conditions*

Dive into Adventure Presentation
Head to the Lighthouse Stage and discover you connection to the feathered, flippered, and furry creatures who call Adventure Cove “home.” Located at Lighthouse Theatre in Adventure Cove on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm

Training Tales Presentation
Experience the wonder of California sea lions swimming and jumping through the water while you get a behind the scenes look into how they train their aquatic ambassador animals.  Located at Lighthouse Theatre in Adventure Cove Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 am

Cheetah Runs
Watch the fastest land mammal reach top speeds at the Cheetah Run located in the Heart of Africa!  These cats will chase a lure while displaying their speed and agility Fridays at 12:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm

Pumpkin Smash – Nationwide Enrichment Day
Stop by on Saturday, October 28, for their annual Pumpkin Smash, presented by Nationwide. Animals will receive pumpkin enrichment throughout the day to smash, eat, and enjoy! Enrichment is an essential part of animal care at the Zoo and helps the animals use their species-specific behaviors. Schedule TBD

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Costume Policy

• Guests Younger than 13: They encourage guests younger than 13 years of age and their guardians to wear costumes. Creative and family-friendly costumes are encouraged.
• Adults: Adults who are not accompanied by a guest younger than 13 years old are not permitted to wear costumes.
• Guidelines: Please ensure that costumes are in good taste and do not contain sharp objects, pointed objects, or materials that may accidentally strike another person. Full face masks for adults are not permitted. Clothing or costumes with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics, are not allowed. Costumes should not drag on the ground or contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
• Enforcement: The Columbus Zoo reserves the right to ask that your child’s mask and/or face paint be removed if it is inconsistent with organizational policies or values. Guests not wearing proper attire will be asked to either put on appropriate attire or leave the park.

Dates

October 6 – 8
October 13 – 15
October 20 – 22
October 27 – 29

Hours

Fridays: 5PM – 8 PM
Zoo opens at 10AM on Fridays, but Boo festivities don’t begin until 5PM.
Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Admission to Boo at the Zoo is included with your membership or general admission ticket. No need to make a reservation. If you do not have a membership, parking is $10.

For more information and the latest updates, please visit the Columbus Zoo website.