Boo at the L.A. Zoo
October 21/22 and 28/29
Two weekends of sweet-and-spooky fun! Free with paid Zoo admission or GLAZA 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 Mars candies, plus animal pumpkin feedings, themed photo ops, story readings, and an extinct animal graveyard. Costumes are encouraged! View our costume policy here.
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!
Boo-tiful Activities
Trick or Treating (10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
Find treat stations throughout the Zoo offering wildlife-friendly candies made with sustainable ingredients, generously donated by our sponsor Mars. Available while supplies last. In keeping with our efforts to reduce waste, no treat bags will be distributed. Guests are encouraged to bring their own.
Extinct Animal Graveyard
Honor dearly departed species and learn how you can help save at-risk wildlife today.
Spooky Story time (11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
Enjoy spine-tingling live readings with author/illustrator team Suzanne and Max Lang (Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared) on Saturdays and the L.A. Public Library Children’s Librarians with tales of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural on Sundays.
Spooky Science from Space with NASA/JPL (12:30 and 2 p.m.)
Prepare to be spellbound by bewitching demonstrations brought to you by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that invite you to delve into the enigmatic realms of outer space.
Education Stations
Stop by to learn some frightfully fun facts that will make you shriek with amazement and delight.
- Creepy Crawlies Station—Delve into the world of “creepy crawlies” and discover how these misunderstood creatures are essential for our environment. Learn about incredible adaptations of slithering snakes and itsy-bitsy insects, then explore the amazing range of ecosystem services that they provide, including pollination, pest control, decomposition, and more!
- Owl-o-ween Station—Take a look at who’s “hoo” in the L.A. Zoo and explore the mysterious world of owls. Peruse owl feathers, skulls, pellets, and other biofacts to learn about these fascinating nocturnal creatures. Later, take on the role of a bird builder and try to construct a cozy owl nest.
Creature Treats
Watch as our animal residents enjoy seasonal treats all their own. Feedings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. See schedule below.
Fang-tastic Photo Spots
Get hauntingly good Halloween snaps at three decorated spots throughout the Zoo with Victorian, fall harvest, and ancient Egyptian themes. Thanks to our partner Mars, you can also picture yourself with M&Ms costumed characters and a giant M&M inflatable. Sweet!
The LAIR (10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Come face-to-face with rare snakes, poisonous frogs, and venomous lizards. No decorations required for this goose bump-inducing excursion!
Animal Feeding Schedule
Saturday, October 21
- African painted dog at 11:30 a.m.
- Tortoise at 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 22
- Howler monkey in Rainforest of the Americas at 11:30 a.m.
- Red river hog at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 28
- Peccary at 11:30 a.m.
- Jaguar at 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 29
- Snow leopard at 11:30 p.m.
- Elephant at Cambodia Pavilion at 1:30 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
October 28 (Saturday)
8:30 – 10 a.m.
GLAZA members at the Family Deluxe level and above have the opportunity to experience Boo at the L.A. Zoo before the Zoo opens to the public, with exclusive shows and animal experiences. Please watch your email for an invitation to RSVP. To upgrade your support in order to attend, email [email protected].
Special animal feedings at the Member Early Morning include sloth, flamingo, and giant otter, all at 9 a.m.
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 GLAZA membership support!
A Handy Guide for Candy
How’s this for scary? Unsustainable palm oil production is the primary threat to wild habitats in tropical regions, pushing critically endangered animals like the orangutan further toward possible extinction. You can help by making smart shopping choices, starting with Halloween candy selection. Check out the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s candy buying guide or download their handy Sustainable Palm Oil Shopping App. Through the app, you can scan a product’s barcode to find out if it’s made with unsustainable palm oil and receive suggestions for orangutan-friendly choices. Use it to guide all your shopping selections, not just the sweet ones!
For information about Mars’ Palm Positive Plan—which delivers sustainable, deforestation-free palm oil while supporting human rights—visit their website.
