SATURDAYS and SUNDAYS ONLY: October 3 & 4 | October 10 & 11 | October 17 & 18 | October 24 & 25: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Boo at the Zoo is included with Zoo Admission.
Costumes? Check. Treat bag? Definitely. Dancing shoes? You’ll want those, too.
Boo at the Zoo is back at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for another season of merry-not-scary Halloween fun, returning for its second year in the Adventure Cove region with even more treats, entertainment, and ways for families to make a full day of their visit.
This year, Boo at the Zoo will take place the first four Saturdays and Sundays in October 2026 (October 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, and 24 & 25) with festivities happening during daytime Zoo hours (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.). The updated schedule gives families plenty of time to trick-or-treat, enjoy Boo at the Zoo activities, and explore animal habitats throughout the Zoo.
Best of all, Boo at the Zoo is included with regular Zoo admission and is free for Columbus Zoo members!
Adventure Cove is Boo Central
After making its Adventure Cove region debut last year (to rave guest reviews!), Boo at the Zoo is returning to the region that puts much of the Halloween fun within easy reach for guests of all abilities.
Families can wander the Trick-or-Treat Trail, meet Columbus Zoo Character Ambassadors dressed for Halloween, explore Jesse’s Jack-O-Lantern Journey, find their way through Henry’s Character Craze Hay Maze, catch Halloween entertainment, and take a spin on Adventure Cove rides.
And this year, there are some new reasons to get those costumes ready.
NEW! Rave at the Grave
Calling all little ghosts, goblins, princesses, superheroes, and creatures of every kind!
Boo at the Zoo is turning up the music with Rave at the Grave, a new kid-friendly DJ dance party in Adventure Cove. Families can show off their best monster moves, dance along to family-friendly favorites, and take a break from trick-or-treating for a Halloween celebration everyone can join.
More Treats and More Choices
The Trick-or-Treat Trail is getting an update, too. Guests can visit 13 treat locations throughout Adventure Cove, including 11 candy stations featuring an expanded variety of Halloween favorites and two teal pumpkin stations offering candy alternatives. Bring your own treat bag and make your way through Adventure Cove to see what goodies await!
Pumpkins, Characters, Rides, and More
There’s plenty more waiting around Adventure Cove throughout the day, including:
- Jesse’s Jack-O-Lantern Journey, filled with intricately carved pumpkins
- Henry’s Character Craze Hay Maze, a child-sized maze made for little adventurers
- Character Ambassador Meet and Greets and Rolling Celebrations
- Halloween Hoedown with the Oak Ridge Bears
- Imaginarium Fun House
- Giant Pumpkin Carving on Saturdays, displayed on Sundays
- Adventure Cove rides, including family favorites for guests looking to add a few extra thrills to their Halloween adventure
- Magical Mementos Seek-n-Find, sponsored by Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars, around Conservation Lake
- Community dance performances on select days in front of Conservation Lake
And because Boo at the Zoo takes place during regular Zoo hours, families can make the animals part of their Halloween adventure, too. Explore your favorite regions, visit animal habitats, grab something to eat, and then head back to Adventure Cove for more Boo fun.
Make a Full Fall Day of It
Want to keep the fun going after Boo at the Zoo?
The Columbus Zoo’s Lantern Festival will also illuminate the Zoo on select evenings this fall after the Zoo closes for the day. Lantern Festival is a separately ticketed event, giving guests the option to experience Boo at the Zoo during the day and return later for an entirely different nighttime adventure.
Guests who want to experience both can Roar and Return, purchasing Zoo admission and discounted Lantern Festival tickets together. Spend the day exploring the Zoo and celebrating Halloween at Boo at the Zoo, take a break, then return after dark as the Zoo transforms with spectacular illuminated lantern displays.
Columbus Zoo members receive free admission to Boo at the Zoo with their membership and can also purchase Lantern Festival tickets at a special member discount.
Lantern Festival Info Roar and Return Tickets
Plan Your Boo at the Zoo Visit
- Boo at the Zoo takes place the first four Saturdays and Sundays in October 2026 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the Adventure Cove region of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
- Boo at the Zoo activities are included with regular Zoo admission and free for Columbus Zoo members. Some rides and attractions require an additional fee.
- Before you arrive, download the free Columbus Zoo and Aquarium mobile app to help plan your route, find dining locations, check animal habitats, and keep track of Halloween festivities throughout your visit.
Whether your little trick-or-treater comes dressed as a favorite animal, storybook character, superhero, or something entirely their own, grab the costumes and treat bags and get ready for another frightfully delightful fall at the Columbus Zoo!
