Boo at the Zoo
Get ready for a WILD Halloween evening! Boo at the Zoo, 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.
Grab your best costume and enjoy the season’s festivities while stopping at 30 trick-or-treat stations. Plus, feast your 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.
Want more Halloween magic? Members get early entry to Boo at the Zoo at 5 p.m. Become a member today!
Looking for a more spine-chilling experience? Don't miss out on Night of the Living Zoo!
More Information
Parking passes
Parking is not included with admission. If you plan to drive and park at the Zoo, you can pay a flat-rate parking fee of $30 per vehicle. Due to the popularity of this event, we recommend you purchase your parking pass online before your visit.
- Drivers should plan to enter through the main vehicle entrance at 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW.
- Daytime parking passes will not be honored for Boo at the Zoo.
- Members cannot use their annual membership parking passes for this after-hours event.
Rideshares
Using a rideshare vehicle? Set your pick up to the Zoo’s two pedestrian entrances, the main entrance at 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW, or the Harvard Street Bridge entrance.
Before the event
- To allow our staff to finish preparations, visitors will not be able to enter the lower portion of the Zoo (from the Reptile Discovery Center to Kids' Farm) starting at 2 p.m. the day of the event.
- Last vehicle entry is at 2 p.m.
- Last pedestrian entry to the Zoo is at 3 p.m. and the Zoo will be cleared of guests at 4 p.m. While you may visit the Zoo before Boo at the Zoo begins, guests will be asked to exit and re-enter at the start of the event.
Entering the event
- Adults and children over 2 years old must have a ticket.
- To help our staff scan tickets efficiently, all members of your party should plan on entering the Zoo together.
- Last entry to Boo at the Zoo is at 8 p.m.
Refunds
- If you purchased tickets in advance but cannot attend the event, you may receive a 75% refund up to two weeks before the date of the event.
- While costumes are encouraged for all ages, adults are not permitted to wear full-faced masks.
- For the safety of both visitors and the animals, please do not bring balloons, skates, hover boards, scooters, or costume props that look like weapons.
To contact our Events team, click here.
Dietary restrictions and food allergies
Staff and volunteers work hard to make Boo at the Zoo fun for everyone. A select number of treat stations have hard candy, small toys, and other fun giveaways. We recommend parents check the ingredient labels to ensure there are no allergens in their child’s candy. Boo at the Zoo is not a nut-free event.
Accessibility and accommodations
Please visit our Accessibility page for information on how we provide inclusive experiences for all audiences.