Boo at the L.A. Zoo
Saturday and Sunday, October 18/19 and Saturday and Sunday, October 25/26
Free with admission or L.A. Zoo membership.
The Halloween spirit will be in full swing for two frightfully fun weekends at the L.A. Zoo, with trick-or-treating stations featuring premium candy, plus animal pumpkin feedings, themed photo ops, education stations, and more. Costumes are encouraged!
Free daytime access to enjoy special programming like Boo at the L.A. Zoo is just one of the many benefits of membership. Learn more and join today!
Quick Links

Boo-tiful Activities
TRICK-OR-TREAT & GOODY STATIONS (10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
Find treat stations offering wildlife-friendly candies made with sustainable ingredients. In keeping with our efforts to reduce waste, treat bags will not be distributed. Guests are encouraged to bring their own or purchase one at the International Marketplace. Candy giveaways are available while supplies last.
Spooky Storytime
Enjoy spine-tingling live readings with noted children’s authors. After the readings, the creators will be on hand to sign books for audience members. Feel free to bring your Bug Sandwich books from home for them to sign. Copies will also be available for purchase at any of the Zoo’s gift shops.
- Brady Smith on Sunday, October 19 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.— Illustrator and fine artist Brady Smith will read Bug Sandwich, a hilarious tale about a boy who has had it with how much bugs love to bite him, so he decides to return the favor. As he hunts the bugs in his backyard, he can’t help noticing how impressive they are. Will their remarkable qualities be enough for the boy to change what’s on the menu?
- L.A. Public Library on Sunday, October 26 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.— LAPL Children’s Librarians will share tales of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. Guests can also sign up for a library card on site. Look for the LAPL Street Fleet in Selig Plaza.
SPOOKY SCIENCE AND MORE
Visit our Conservation Expo and sink your hands into some sticky slime at vendor booths set up along the walkway opposite the Rose Garden.
- Sloomoo Institute on October 18 and October 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.— Engage your senses with never-ending, hand-crafted slime, yummy scents, eye-popping color, and soothing sounds.
- Conservation Expo — Representatives from Friends of the California Condor; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement; San Dimas Canyon Nature Center; and other conservation organizations will be available to share information about their programs and partnerships with the L.A. Zoo. (Participation dates may vary.)
education stations
Stop by to learn some frightfully fun facts that will make you shriek with amazement and delight.
- Creatures at Night—Come and explore the amazing world of owls and bats! At this station, you’ll discover the incredible ways these nocturnal hunters catch their prey in the dark, using methods like echolocation and silent flight. Compare and contrast these fascinating nighttime creatures—it’s sure to be a “hoot!”
- Slithering Snakes—Uncover the secrets behind some of nature’s most misunderstood creatures: snakes! At this station, guests will discover some of the extraordinary adaptations of these legless reptiles that help them to move, eat, grow, and hunt so successfully.

Creature Treats
Watch as our animal residents enjoy seasonal treats all their own. View schedule.
Fang-tastic Photo Spots
Get hauntingly good Halloween snaps at decorated spots throughout the Zoo.
“BOO” BIRD SHOW (12 P.M.)
Witness fascinating behaviors of some of nature’s most mysterious and misunderstood flying fauna – vultures and raptors – at a special Halloween edition of our popular World of Birds Show at 12 p.m. Schedule subject to change due to weather.
THE LAIR
Come face-to-face with rare snakes, poisonous frogs, and venomous lizards. No decorations required for this goose bump-inducing excursion!
Animal Feedings
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
- Jaguar in Rainforest of the Americas at 11:30 a.m.
- Aldabra tortoise in South America at 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
- Capuchin monkey, spider monkey, and howler monkey in South America at 11:30 a.m.
- Red river hog in Africa at 2:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
- African painted dog in Drylands at 11:30 a.m.
- Wombat in Australia at 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
- Peccary in Drylands at 11:30 a.m.
- Mountain tapir in South America at 2:30 p.m.
- Tasmanian devils in Australia at 2:30 p.m.


Costume Policy
Adults and children are welcome to dress in Halloween costumes for their visit to the Zoo during our Boo at the L.A. Zoo trick-or-treating days. To allow for an enjoyable experience for everyone, we do not allow full face masks, weapons, obscenity, or anything that could cause disturbance to either patrons or animals.
Upper-Level Member Early Morning
Saturday, October 18, 8 to 10 a.m.
L.A. Zoo members at the Family Deluxe level and above will have the opportunity to experience Boo at the L.A. Zoo before the Zoo opens to the public, with exclusive activities and animal experiences. To upgrade your support in order to attend, email membership@zoo.lacity.org.
Please bring your membership card and valid photo ID for admission. Guest passes will not be honored for this event, which is for Family Deluxe members and higher. Thank you for your membership support!
Early Access
- Zoo Grill, the International Marketplace, and stroller/wheelchair rentals open early
- The LAIR opens early
- Fun, interactive education stations
Special creature treats for members only
- Western lowland gorilla in Campo Gorilla Reserve 8:45 a.m.
- Spooky Storytime at 9:00 a.m.
- Cape vulture in Africa at 9:30 a.m.

