Boo At The Zoo Set For 3 Weekends This Month At Philadelphia Zoo

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Zoo for three weekends is getting into the Halloween spirit, as it is bringing back Boo at the Zoo.

Boo at the Zoo will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12, Oct. 13, Oct. 19, Oct. 20, Oct. 26, and Oct. 27.

Families are invited to come dressed in their favorite costume and bring their trick-or-treat bag. Festivities will include a trick-or-treat safari, seasonal decor, children's activities and everyone's favorite animals.

Boo at the Zoo is included with admission and tickets are on sale now. Zoo members can get early admission on select dates — 8:30 a.m. on Saturday; Sunday, Oct. 20; Sunday, Oct. 27 — and an exclusive members-only candy station.

New for this year, the zoo is offering a sensory-friendly morning presented by ABA Centers of Pennsylvania on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

"Boo at the Zoo has not only become a cherished tradition for families from across our region, but a beloved time of year for all of us at the Zoo who help to put it on every year," Philadelphia Zoo Vice President of Guest Experience Cara Treadway. "We love seeing all the creative costumes, watching guests and members explore the zoo when our animals are most active among beautiful fall foliage in some of the best weather of the year."

Kids of all ages are encouraged to dress in their favorite costume and parade to the Great Pumpkins where they will find photo opportunities.

Trick-or-treat stations will be placed around the zoo, with a special members-only surprise station waiting to be discovered.

Halloween costumes with toy guns and weapons are prohibited.

Be sure to visit animal exhibits to see who might be munching on pumpkins or playing with Halloween-themed enrichment. Tentative schedule for pumpkin feedings (may change without advance notice):

Saturdays

• 10 a.m. – Rodrigues fruit bats inside the Rare Animal Conservation Center
• 11 a.m. – Giant tortoises at Reptile House
• 11:15 a.m.– Andean bear in Bear Country
• 2:30 p.m. – Gorillas at PECO Primate Reserve
• 3 p.m. – Hippos in African Plains

Sundays

• 10 a.m. – One of the cats in Big Cat Falls
• 11:15 a.m. – Sloth bear in Bear Country
• 11:30 p.m. – Turkey Vultures near Back Yard Kitchen
• 2 p.m. – Orangutans at PECO Primate Reserve
• 2:30 p.m. – Ossabaw Island Hogs by KidZooU

Along with trick-or-treating, children can participate in two fun and educational kids’ activities. To celebrate the spooky season, the zoo's Conservation Education team will be giving clues to help guests match the skull to the animal for the chance to enter and win a prize. Interact with education staff with fun games on Impala Lawn. Reading Captains will also be handing out age-appropriate books to families as they visit their favorite animals.

Around the zoo, guests can try a slew of frightfully delightful food offerings. At Impala Café, pick up a pumpkin or cinnamon bun latte; at Backyard Kitchen, try a Mummy Dog: a hotdog wrapped in puff pastry served with siracha ketchup; at Scoop Shack, indulge in a pumpkin sundae with pumpkin ice cream, whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce and chocolate chips; plus, stop at Eat Drink Taco for a classic dirt cup with chocolate pudding, crushed Oreo’s and gummy worms.