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

POWELL, Ohio – Celebrate spirited fun without the fright during the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s annual Boo at the Zoo celebration. This family-friendly Halloween event will take place at the Zoo for three weekends from Oct. 11-13, Oct. 18-20, and Oct. 25-27.

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.

Boo at the Zoo’s happenings include new and reimagined activities, as well as returning favorites:

NEW! Cali Sea Lion’s Halloween Harbor. Adventure Cove is turned into Cali Sea Lion’s Halloween Harbor and is the main hub of our Halloween Celebration. Guests are invited to kick off their Boo at the Zoo experience as Adventure Cove has been re-themed for fall fun!
- Animal presentations, including Sea Lion Training Tales and Dive Into Adventure (Adventure Cove); and Cheetah Runs in the Heart of Africa region (select times)
- Lil’ Boo Character Fun House. This frightfully delightful new experience features kid-friendly rooms decorated in the likeness of the Zoo’s Character Ambassadors from Cali Sea Lion’s pirate palooza room to Polly Polar Bear’s superhero suite.
- Trick or Treat Trail. This year’s seven stations are located on the reimagined trail around Adventure Cove, where guests can also support sustainable actions by recycling candy wrappers at different stops along the way. As part of the Zoo’s commitment to making a positive difference for orangutans and other endangered species by protecting their habitat, the candy being distributed are products produced by companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Two of the stations will offer eco-friendly candy alternative prizes.
- Henry’s Character Craze Hay Maze. Once guests have stopped at all the treat stations, they are invited to navigate through the reimagined Henry’s Character Craze Hay Maze, a festive fall experience made of over 300 bales of straw. Character Ambassador signs will be placed throughout the hay maze so that guests can try to spot them all!
- Community Dance Performers (select dates)
NEW! Magical Pumpkin Seek-n-Find, sponsored by Disney on Ice presents Frozen and Encanto. After exploring Cali Sea Lion’s Halloween Harbor, guests can take part in a unique seek and find around Conservation Lake and locate six hand-carved pumpkins honoring various Encanto characters for a chance to win a family prize pack. (One prize is awarded per weekend.)
Jessie’s Jack-O-Lantern Journey
Character Ambassador appearances, meet and greets, and rolling celebrations
Giant Pumpkin Carving (Live demonstrations every Saturday during Boo at the Zoo)
Zoo Boo Choo-Choo train ride through Vertebrate Village
Pumpkin Smash Enrichment Day, presented by Nationwide (Oct. 12 only)
Other themed areas, rides, and attractions (fees may apply)

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 and is included with the price of regular Zoo admission or membership. Costumes are encouraged for this Halloween celebration for guests younger than 13 years and their guardians. 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 ahead of time by visiting ColumbusZoo.org.

For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo’s events, hours, conservation initiatives, and more, 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 educational 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. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.