Open Today: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
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A close-up of two young girls smiling and standing close together. Both are wearing black cat ear headbands with cat ears. The girl on the left has long, straight hair and is wearing a black shirt with a bright, multi-colored animal print. The girl on the right has curly hair and is wearing a solid black shirt. In the background, there is a string of orange and black Halloween flags, and a landscape of trees under a cloudy sky.

BOO at the NC ZOO

Event Dates
Sat, Oct 18 2025, 9am - 3pm
Sun, Oct 19 2025, 9am - 3pm
Sat, Oct 25 2025, 9am - 3pm
Sun, Oct 26 2025, 9am - 3pm
Cost

$10 for guests and Zoo member guests; $8 for Zoo members, Extra cost in addition to Zoo admission 

Celebrate two weekends of daytime, family-friendly Halloween fun! 

When: Saturday & Sunday – October 18 & 19 and October 25 & 26, 2025

Location: Africa and Africa Ampitheatre 

Extra cost in addition to Zoo admission: $10 for guests and Zoo member guests; $8 for NC Zoo Society members.   

Purchase your Boo at the Zoo wristband at the Africa or North America admission booths. Boo ticket sales end at 2 p.m. each day. Boo admission includes a wristband and a bag for all Boo activities. Wristbands will be available for purchase on each day of the event. No advance wristband sales. 

Get your kids ready for the beloved Boo at the North Carolina Zoo! This annual, family-friendly Halloween event serves sweet treats and more, perfect for kids 4-12. Dress up your little ones to enter fun costume contests, enjoy trick or treating along the Africa loop, and have a howling good time with festive games in the Africa Ampitheatre. 

Please do not bring outside pumpkins, Halloween bags, or other outside containers for trick-or-treating.  With your wristband, you will receive an official Boo Bag to collect candy.

New to Boo

This year we are excited to introduce a Boo Quiet Sensory Area at Oak Hill. This special space is designed for children/adults who may need a break from the busy event environment. Families will find a calm, welcoming area with a few activities tailored to provide a more comfortable experience.

Also new this year, thanks to our friends at Sexton Farms, we’ll have a Pumpkin Patch. Each guest with a wristband can take home one small pumpkin, while supplies last.

Schedule:

9-3 -Trick or Treating - Africa Loop 
9-3 -Games, face painting, craft, entertainment - Africa Ampitheatre (Activities pause during costume contest at 12.)
12  - Costume Contest
9-3 Boo Sensory/Quiet Area at Oak Hill Picnic Area with activities and prizes
3 - Costume Contest

Costume Guidelines:

  • Costumes must be family-friendly; No scary costumes or costumes that expose excessive portions of skin that may be viewed as inappropriate in a family environment.
  • For participants 13 and older, costumes, masks, makeup, or face paint cannot cover the face. Small embellishments are okay.
  • Costumes should not contain any weapons that resemble or could be mistaken for an actual weapon.
  • Costumes must be safe to be worn throughout the Zoo. Costumes should not drag on the ground or contain sharp objects or material that may accidentally strike another person.

Costume Contest Age Groups

  • 0-5 years
  • 6-12 years
  • 13 years and up
  • Themed Family or Group participants

We would also like to thank our Boo at the Zoo Sponsors 

  • Pepsi
  • Superior Mechanical
  • Chick-fil-a
  • Biscuitville

SPONSOR

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