Boo at the L.A. Zoo

October 19/20 and 26/27

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, education stations, an extinct animal graveyard, 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, generously donated by our sponsor Mars Inc. Associate sponsor California Credit Union will be on hand with other types of Halloween goodies, like temporary tattoos, animal masks, and small totes, which can be used as treat bags. In keeping with our efforts to reduce waste, no other types of treat bags will be distributed. Guests are encouraged to pick up one from California Credit Union or bring their own. Candy and sponsor giveaways are available while supplies last.

Extinct Animal Graveyard

Honor dearly departed species, and learn how you can help save at-risk wildlife today.

Spooky Story time

Enjoy spine-tingling live readings with noted children’s authors. 

• Suzanne and Max Lang on October 19, 12 and 2 p.m.—New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Lang and award-winning illustrator and animator Max Lang will present their delightful Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared, in which Grumpy Monkey and his jungle friends go trick-or-treating amid strange noises and mysterious smells. Along the way, they find out that nothing can be scarier than returning home with no treats. 

• Spooky Science from Space with NASA/JPL on October 20, 12 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. 

• Brady Smith on October 26, 12 and 2 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 October 27, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.—LAPL Children’s Librarians will share tales of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. Throughout the day, visit the LAPL Street Fleet near Sea Life Cliffs to browse and check out books. 

Education Stations

Stop by to learn some frightfully fun facts that will make you shriek with amazement and delight. 

• Owl-o-ween Station—Take a look at who’s “hoo” at 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. 

• Killer Carnivorans—Unleash your inner predator! Get up close and personal with the fangs, skulls, and claws of carnivorans while identifying the key features that set them apart from other animal orders. Then, analyze feline and canine footprints to learn how these hunters track and stalk their prey with deadly precision. 

Creature Treats

Watch as our animal residents enjoy seasonal treats all their own. View schedule.

Fang-tastic Photo Spots

Get hauntingly good Halloween snaps with the Spookley the Square Pumpkin inflatable and at other decorated spots throughout the Zoo. Plus, thanks to our partner Mars Inc., you can also picture yourself with M&Ms costumed characters (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) and a giant M&M inflatable. Sweet!

“BOO” BIRD SHOW (12 P.M.)

Witness fascinating behaviors of some of nature’s most mysterious and misunderstood flying fauna – owls and vultures – at a special Halloween edition of our popular World of Birds Show at 12 p.m. Schedule subject to change due to weather.

Animal Feedings

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

• Western lowland gorilla at 10:30 a.m. 
• African painted dog at 11 a.m.
• Mt Tapirs at 11:30 a.m. 
• Aldabra tortoise at 1:30 p.m.  

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20

• Howler monkey in Rainforest of the Americas at 11:30 a.m.
• Wombat at 11:30 a.m.
• Red river hog at 1:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26

• Western lowland gorilla at 9 a.m. (Upper-Level Member Preview)
• African painted dog at 9 a.m. (Upper-Level Member Preview)
• Peccary at 11:30 a.m.
• Jaguar at 1:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27

• Mountain tapir in South America at 11:30 a.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 26 (Saturday),

8–10 a.m.

Exclusive Upper-Level Member Map

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 activities and animal experiences. Please watch your email for an invitation to RSVP. To upgrade your support in order to attend, email membership@lazoo.org. 

Please have your digital membership card displayed on your phone or your membership card in hand along with a valid photo ID for faster entry. This event is for members at the Family Deluxe level and higher. Guest passes will not be honored. Thank you for your GLAZA membership support!

• Zoo Grill, the International Marketplace, and stroller/wheelchair rentals open early   
• The LAIR opens early 
• Spookley the Square Pumpkin costumed character appearance 
• M&Ms costumed character appearance 
• Fun, interactive education stations 
• Spooky Storytime with author-illustrator Brady Smith (Bug Sandwich) 

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. When you download the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s handy PalmOil Scan 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.