Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Boo at the Zoo

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium presents a merry-not-scary Boo at the Zoo, presented by Wendy’s® over 5 weekends in October 2021. 

Join the Zoo Character Ambassadors and other costumed guests to celebrate the season! Boo at the Zoo takes place October 1-3, October 8-10, October 15-17, October 22-24, October 29-31, 2021.

Fun Boo at the Zoo Attractions

This family-friendly event features Tommy C. Turtles Trick or Treat Trail with 13 treat stations in Adventure Cove, around Conservation Lake, and Asia Quest.

Cali’s Pirate-Palooza Rolling Celebration will roll through the Zoo hourly with music and dancing. Halloween Hullabaloo Rolling Celebration will carry popular Zoo Characters throughout the Zoo for more rolling and dancing fun.

Head to Lighthouse Stage to learn more about the animals who reside at Adventure Cove. Watch their natural behaviors and learn how you can help them as you watch wildlife in action. These stage shows are on Saturdays and Sundays at 12 pm and 2 pm during Boo at the Zoo.

Learn the Training Tales behind the adorable and silly sea lions on Saturdays and Sundays at 4 pm. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the animal ambassadors are trained and cared for by their trainers.

Halloween Homecoming at Frogwortz Academy is a celebration of Halloween fun at this school of wacky wizardry. 

Asia Quest will feature some elephant-sizes pumpkins, and on Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm, you can watch a skilled craftsman carve these into giant masterpieces.

Go on Jama’s Jack-o-Lantern Journey seek-n-find to help find all of the character ambassadors pumpkins scattered throughout the Zoo. Help Jama Giraffe locate all of them to be entered to win a prize!

You can also take a ride on the Zoo Boo Choo Choo through Vertebrate Village for an addition fee, or take a spin on Sydnee Koala’s Candy Corn Carousel. Additional fees required for rides.

Photo: Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Dress up at the Zoo!

Wear a costume* and have a blast at America’s #1 Zoo! Special rides and attractions may be an additional cost to the zoo admission.  

*Only adults accompanied by a child or children under 13 years of age will be permitted to wear costumes on zoo grounds and adults faces must be uncovered, because otherwise, that’s just creepy….

Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Boo at the Zoo Hours

October 1 –3, 8 – 10, 15 – 17, 22 – 24, 29 – 31

Fridays: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Zoo opens at 10 a.m. Boo festivities begin at 5 pm)
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Heart of Africa and Congo Expedition will close at 5 pm each day.

Event is included with regular Zoo admission and with memberships. Parking is $10 for non-members. Advance tickets are not required, but encouraged to reduce the wait in line at tickets windows.

See more details about the Zoo discount days, special events, and more. 

Columbus Zoo tickets and discounts, plus new exhibits and offerings

Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

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