ZooBoo

Halloween goes WILD at the Virginia Zoo’s ZooBoo! Join us on October 17 & 18 from 9am – 4pm for a family-friendly celebration packed with animal experiences, hands-on activities, and fang-tastic fun.

Carve out time to watch animals enjoy pumpkin enrichment and meet mystery Animal Ambassadors. Goblin up candy and other giveaway goodies, like an exclusive Virginia Zoo trading card, at trick-or-treat stations throughout the Zoo. Booooogie to a local DJ’s tunes, compete in costume contests, and shop a spooky market featuring local vendors.

Kids can even bounce in themed bounce houses, explore sensory-friendly activities like Touch-a-Truck, and meet special character guests.

Grab your family and fiends, put on your favorite costume, and bring your Halloween spirit to the Virginia Zoo!

For the wellbeing of our goats, the Goat Yard will be closed to guests during the event.

Activities & Schedule

Included with your ticket:

• 9:15am: Orangutan pumpkin enrichment
• 10am: ZooLive! Stage Show
• 10:15am: World of Reptiles pumpkin enrichment
• 11:15am: Goats, cavies & cape porcupine pumpkin enrichment
• 11:30am: ZooLive! Stage Show
• 12:15pm: Red river hog pumpkin enrichment
• 1:15pm: Malayan tapir pumpkin enrichment
• 2pm: ZooLive! Stage Show
• 2:15pm: Rhino hornbill pumpkin enrichment
• 3:15pm: Rock hyrax pumpkin enrichment
• 3:30pm: Animal Ambassadors in Fountain Plaza
• Toddler Town – toddler friendly activities in Nature Play
• Cryptid Courtyard activities in Flora Point
• Mad Lab in World of Reptiles Classroom

Available for an additional cost:

• Bounce Houses
• 9:30am – 3:40pm: Virginia Zoo Express Train rides

Vendors & Characters

• 501^st Garrison Tyrannus
• Dexter the Dinosaur
• Warriors of Mandalore

Food & Drinks ($)

• Food Trucks
  • Sweet Tweets
  • Glazed & Infuzed
• 10am – 4pm: African Village Restaurant open
• 10:30am – 3:30pm: Beastro open
• 10:30am – 4pm: Mini Melts open

Dietary Needs? Check out the candy ingredient lists here for all of the candy that will be available for trick-or-treating so you can plan!

💲Ticket Prices💲

Member tickets on sale starting September 4. Public tickets on sale September 11. Please note, prices may increase as the event date nears, so don’t wait — early birds get the best deal!

🎃 Member Adult (18+): $11

🎃 Member Child (2-17): $8

🎃 Non-Member Adult (12+): $30

🎃 Non-Member Child (2-11): $24

🎃 Children under 2 are free but require a reserved ticket

Due to this event being a special event fundraiser for the Zoo, we do not offer our normal ADA admission. We apologize for any inconvenience!

For the safety of you, our guests, animals, staff, and facilities, the following items are not permitted as part of your costume:

• Full face coverings/masks
• Live animals (with the exception of service animals)
• Projectiles of any kind
• Flames, pyrotechnics or explosives
• Weapons, whether real or fake 
• Bare feet 
• Nudity, or any illusion to it, including overly revealing costumes

Thank you for your understanding and we can’t wait to see all of your spooktacular costumes!

Event Reminders

• Limited number of tickets available. Advance ticket sales end when sold out (get yours early!). If tickets remain on the day of the event, gate sales may be limited to credit card transactions only.
• Tickets are non-refundable, and all sales are final. If a ticket holder is unable to attend the event, the purchase will be considered a donation. If the Virginia Zoo cancels or reschedules an event, tickets will automatically transfer to the next event in the series when applicable. Guests unable to attend the new date may request a refund within a communicated timeframe. If no additional event is scheduled, tickets will be automatically refunded.
• As an outdoor venue, events are rain or shine unless otherwise indicated. Event updates will be shared via the Virginia Zoo website, email, and, social media channels whenever possible prior to the event.
• The Zoo is a smoke-free facility; no smoking is allowed inside the Zoo. This also includes e-cigarettes and vaping. Inability to follow this rule will result in dismissal from Zoo grounds without a refund.
• By purchasing an event ticket, you agree to abide by the Virginia Zoo’s Rules & Policies.