Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Boo at the Zoo Offers Delightful-Not-Frightful Halloween Fun for All

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos and b-roll are available in this Dropbox link. Photo credits are contained in the file name (example: Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium). Video credit can be provided to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

POWELL, Ohio – Celebrate spirited fun without the fright during the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s annual Boo at the Zoo celebration. This merry-not-scary Halloween event will take place at the Zoo during the weekends of Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, and 27-29.

The schedule is as follows:

Fridays | 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (The Zoo opens at 10 a.m.; Boo at the Zoo festivities begin at 5 p.m.)
Saturdays | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sundays | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year’s Boo at the Zoo happenings include:

Tommy C. Turtle’s Trick or Treat Trail, now with Candy Wrapper Recycling Stations! There will be five stations with candy and two stations with candy alternatives. Special note: The candy being distributed are products produced by companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) as part of our commitment to making a positive difference for orangutans and other endangered species by protecting their habitat.
Jessie’s Jack-O-Lantern Journey
Character Ambassador Appearances
Character Ambassador Halloween Meet and Greets
Character Ambassador Rolling Celebrations
Character Craze Hay Maze
Giant Pumpkin Carving (Live demonstrations every Saturday during Boo at the Zoo)
Zoo Boo Choo-Choo train ride through Vertebrate Village
Adventure Sky Wheel* (Limited time only for the 2023 season)
Sydnee Koala’s Royal Carousel*
4-D Theater*
Community Dance Performers (Select dates)
Animal presentations (available at select times), including Sea Lion Training Tales, Dive Into Adventure, and Cheetah Runs
Pumpkin Smash Enrichment Day, presented by Nationwide (Oct. 28 only)
Other themed areas and attractions

*Additional fees apply; attractions free for Gold Members.

Know Before You Go

Whether it be train rides, musical fun, self-guided tours or candy stops, Boo at the Zoo offers fun for the whole family— all included with the price of regular Zoo admission or membership. Costumes are encouraged for this Halloween celebration. Please visit the Zoo’s website for more information about costume restrictions and requirements, as well as a schedule of activities. To help save guests time at the Zoo’s entrance, it is encouraged to purchase admission tickets online by visiting ColumbusZoo.org.

Now Hiring!

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay are hiring to fill positions throughout the fall and holiday seasons. Seasonal positions are available in areas including food and beverage, retail, grounds maintenance, security, rides and attractions, and more.

Those hired in these positions will join a dynamic team of fun and hardworking individuals who will help contribute to the Zoo’s daily operations, as well as help to prepare for upcoming special events such as the family-friendly Halloween celebration, Boo at the Zoo; the Zoo’s spectacular holiday lights event, Wildlights, efficiently powered by AEP Ohio; and Central Ohio’s ultimate Halloween experience, ZOMBIEzi Bay, presented by Mtn Dew. Make some extra money, meet new friends, enjoy unique and exciting employee perks, and help support wildlife at the same time! For more information about employment opportunities at all of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium properties, please visit our website or text WILDJOBS at 97211.

For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, events, and more, be sure to follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org

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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide to continue the mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.