Free with your Bronx Zoo ticket or Membership
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
SEPTEMBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1
INCLUDING MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
Boo at the Zoo is our annual daytime family-friendly Halloween celebration, which returns from September 26 through November 1.
Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary-aged children, Boo at the Zoo combines Halloween fun with unforgettable wildlife experiences, all included with Bronx Zoo admission and free for Members!
Whether you're planning a family outing, visiting New York City in October, or searching for kid-friendly Halloween activities near you, join us for a day filled with wildlife adventures and family-friendly fall fun.
A Season for Animals
Fall is fantastic at the Bronx Zoo. With seasonal attractions such as Wild Asia Monorail, Congo Gorilla Forest, and Children’s Zoo open through November 1, it’s a great time to visit tigers, rhinos, giraffes, lions, and many more amazing species - including newcomers like the baby lemurs in Madagascar!, and the nocturnal creatures in our newest exhibit, World of Darkness.
New This Year
Animal Chats
Hear directly from animal experts about some of the zoo’s most fascinating species, through animal enrichment, behavioral insights, and interactive Q&As.
Tiger Mountain: 10:30am
World of Reptiles: Crocodiles & Snakes, 11am
Big Bears, 1pm
Birds of Prey: Owls & Vultures, 2pm
Hay Maze & Challenge Trail
A NEW hay bale adventure course with larger-than-life animal hay sculptures invites children to play, climb, crawl, balance, jump, and explore with a series of interactive physical challenges inspired by wildlife.
Butterfly Patio, 11am-4pm
Boo Carnival
Play carnival-themed inflatable games including Pumpkin Smash Game, shuffle ball, ring toss and tic tac toe.
Astor Court, 11am-4pm
Boo at the Zoo Favorites
Wildlife Theater: The Tale de los Animales Who are No More
Join Bruja Alma, and her spooky animal puppet friends, as they sing, dance, and tell the story of the animals who are no more. Can you help Alma conjure up a solution?
Giraffe Corner, 11:30am, 12:30, 2:30, 3:30pm
Shows run approximately 15 minutes
Magic & Mind Reading
Our fan favorite magician returns with an animal-inspired magic & mind reading show, sure to thrill and delight the entire family.
Grizzly Corner, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Shows run approximately 15 minutes
Spooky Stories to Tickle Your Spine
Listen to folktales from around the world featuring animals that you can see here in the zoo!
Grizzly Corner, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm
Not available Oct 4 & 5
Costume Parade
Delight in amazing costumed entertainment by our Halloween and animal-themed performers. Join in the fun and make sure you’re showing off your Halloween best!
Astor Court, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3:15pm
Boo Dance Party
After each Costume Parade, boogie down with our dance party team- complete with music, games, and bubbles!
Astor Court, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm, 3:30pm
Face Painting
Transform into a spooky or friendly creature with free face-painting for children ages 3+!
Astor Court, 11am - 4pm
Candy Trail
Enjoy treats at our expanded trail of palm oil-free candy stations.
Rhino Trail, 11AM - 2PM
Limit one turn per family, candy distribution reserved for children only. While supplies last.
Halloween Crafts
Decorate your own spooky creature puppet to bring to the Costume Parade!
Giraffe Corner, 11am - 4pm
Pumpkin Garden
Make memories with four super-sized animal pumpkin displays, designed by our expert pumpkin artists and perfect for your photos.
Rhino Garden, 11am-5pm
Pumpkin Carving Demos
Watch as expert artists create giant animals and intricate scenes out of pumpkins.
Dancing Crane Pavilion, 11am – 4pm
Speed Carving Demos 11:30am, 2:30pm
More Halloween Fun
Boo Play Space
Enjoy Halloween themed lawn games - fun for the whole family!
Astor Court, 11am - 4pm
Creepy Crawly Mystery Wall
Touch and feel mysterious textures and materials to learn about animals and other creatures!
Giraffe Corner, 11am - 4pm
Extinct Animal Graveyard
Stop by the eerie graveyard of wildlife species that are no longer with us and learn how to prevent extinctions from happening in the future.
Astor Court, 10am - 5pm
Boo at the Zoo Mural
Color in your favorite animals on the mural we all create together.
Astor Court, 11am – 4pm
4:00pm close time for activities and final performances. Some activities are weather permitting. For up-to-date program schedule, go to BronxZoo.com/today
Check our Know Before You Go Page for the latest information on our current entry policies and procedures.
More Spooktacular Activities
We’ve got your entire spooky season covered with family fun this fall. Check out even more Bronx Zoo programming coming your way!
Spooky Education Programs
Looking for more kid-friendly fun? Check out our Educational Fall Programming. From a special exploration of the World of Darkness or a Sensory Sensitive Spooktacular Morning, we have a special spooky program for every member of your family. Come in costume and meet some animal visitors and enjoy even more Halloween excitement together with your Boo-tiful day at the zoo. Plus check out our other parks for even more Halloween fun in every corner of the city.
Boo Connection
Sign up for our special Halloween-themed Wild Encounter to meet animals like lizards, owls, snakes, bugs, and hornbills - and learn why some so-called “spooky” animals aren’t creepy at all.
