Boo at the Zoo and Night of the Living Zoo Return This October

It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, and the Zoo’s 21+ spooktacular cocktail party, Night of the Living Zoo, are back at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C.  

All proceeds from Boo at the Zoo and Night of the Living Zoo support animal care and conservation science at the Zoo. These events will be held rain or shine.

Boo at the Zoo 

October 18, 19 and 20 

6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Tickets 

• $25 for members (up to 6 tickets), $35 for non-members  
• Parking: $30 
• Zoo member tickets on sale Thursday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m.   
• Public tickets on sale Thursday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m.   
   

Overview 

Get ready for a WILD Halloween party! Boo at the Zoo, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s beloved family-friendly event, sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, is back Oct. 18, 19 and 20, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Zoo Members get early entry to Boo at the Zoo at 5 p.m.  

Guests are invited to grab their best costumes and enjoy the season’s festivities while stopping at 30 trick-or-treat stations. Plus, they can feast their eyes on the Zoo’s amazing animals as they interact with jack-o'-lanterns and other spellbinding Halloween-themed enrichment. Outside the animal exhibits, enjoy spooky scenes of frolicking skeletons and other fantastic creatures haunting the Zoo’s main walkway.  

Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House and Reptile Discovery Center, plus a souvenir tote bag for gathering up goodies from trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo.   

Night of the Living Zoo 

Friday, Oct. 25  

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

Tickets  

• $55 for members (up to 6 tickets), $65 for non-members (includes open cocktail bar) 
• Parking Pass: $30  
• Zoo member tickets on sale Thursday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m.   
• Public tickets on sale Thursday, Aug. 29 at 10 a.m.   

Overview 

A spirited and spine-chilling evening awaits at the Night of the Living Zoo! The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is bringing its adult-only Halloween party back from the dead Friday, Oct. 25. Tickets include after-hours access to the Zoo, an open cocktail bar, two entertainment stages and tantalizing food options available for purchase. Flash tattoos are available with additional purchase.  The evening promises to thrill guests as they:  

• Lift their spirits at an open cocktail bar.  
• Get thrilled by mesmerizing circus acts.  
• Uncover ghoulish scenes haunting the Zoo’s main walkway.  
• Immortalize their evening with flash tattoos.   
• Capture wonderfully weird photo booth moments.  
• Shake their bones while DJs spin records all night long. 

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. ID required for entry. Last entry at 10:30 p.m. While costumes are encouraged, guests may not wear full-faced masks or bring accessories or props that look like weapons. This event takes place in the Lower Zoo (near the Great Cats exhibit). Night of the Living Zoo does not feature the Zoo’s animals. All indoor animal exhibits will be closed to allow animals to get a full night’s rest.  

Zoo Event Parking and Arrival Directions 

• Arriving on foot? The Zoo’s Connecticut Ave. and Harvard Street entrances will be open until last entry at 10:30 p.m.  
• Taking Metro? Metro Bus (L1 and L2) and Metro Rail (Woodley Park-Zoo and Cleveland Park) have stops within walking distance of the Zoo’s main pedestrian entrance on Connecticut Avenue.   
• Using a rideshare vehicle? Set pick up to the Zoo’s vehicle check in lot near Asia Trail, accessible from the main entrance at 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW.  
• Planning to park? You must purchase a Boo at the Zoo or Night of the Living Zoo paid parking pass online before your visit. Daytime parking passes will not be honored. All cars must enter through the main vehicle entrance at 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW.  

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Photo caption 1: Boo at the Zoo returns Oct. 18, 19 and 20 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. 

Photo 1 credit: Juan-Carlos Briceno, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute 

Photo caption 1: Night of the Living Zoo is Oct. 25 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. 

Photo 2 credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute