
Boo at the Zoo
presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon
Oct. 16-30, 2025
Nightly, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 is Sensory-Friendly Night!
Families of all ages can enjoy festive decorations, Zoo attractions, entertainers, special food and drink menus, and more at the Saint Louis Zoo's nighttime, non-scary Halloween experience.
Please note, this is not a trick-or-treating event.
Tickets and Parking
- Tickets required for ages 2+. Free for children ages 0-23 months.
- Parking is FREE on both Zoo parking lots (as available).
High demand is expected and popular dates may sell out quickly. Tickets may be purchased online the night of the event (based on ticket availability). Tickets are valid only for the day and time noted. Tickets are nontransferable. Tickets are nonrefundable, except in the case of event cancellation. If you have questions, please contact Guest Relations at guestrelations@stlzoo.org or at (314) 646-4797, option #2.
Pricing:
MEMBERS $12 🎃 NON-MEMBERS $15
Oct. 14 is Sensory-Friendly Night!
MEMBERS $12 🎃 NON-MEMBERS $15
Sensory-friendly Night tickets
Group Discounts:
Groups of 15 or more may receive a discount rate on tickets when purchased and paid for at least eight days prior to your visit date. To purchase group tickets, please call (314) 646-4781, or visit the Group Ticket Desk at the North Entrance, open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Braggin' rights?
Try DRAGON RIGHTS!
Boo at the Zoo ticketholders for the Oct. 16-19 events, as well as Sensory-Friendly Night guests on Oct. 14, will get one of the first looks at our new Komodo dragon!
Be sure to stop by the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium (the entire building will be open) to see the dragon in his new habitat. The Komodo dragon will be viewable to all guests during regular Zoo hours starting Oct. 20.

Halloween Decorations and Animal Attractions
Fun, spellbinding decorations for great photo opportunities are all around the Zoo!
Slither into the Herpetarium to catch sight of turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes and more. Spiders, centipedes, beetles and other invertebrates await you at the Bayer Insectarium.

Entertainment
Get pumped for some "spooktacular" entertainment nightly as actors bring the decorated areas to life and interact with you!
Featured Attractions
-
Stingrays at Caribbean Cove
Included with event admission. Last entry at 7:30 p.m.
-
Conservation Carousel
Included with event admission
-
4D Theater
Included with event admission, showing "The Little Vampire." Last entry at 8:15 p.m.
-
Zooline Railroad
Members: $3.95
Non-members: $4.95
Free for children 0-23 months
Ticket good for one loop around the Zoo
Last entry at 8 p.m. -
Wild Explorer VR Experience
$5 for members and non-members
Last entry at 8:15 p.m.

Food & Souvenirs
Taste a variety of delicious fall-themed menu items at various locations around the Zoo. Be sure to shop the Zoo gift shop “boo-tiques” for souvenirs.
Check back to purchase our 2025 Boo at the Zoo T-shirt!
Sensory-Friendly Night
Tuesday, Oct. 14, is Sensory-Friendly Night for neurodivergent guests with sensory sensitivities. This special night will mirror the traditional Boo at the Zoo experience, but also includes sensory maps, quiet areas and trained Zoo staff to assist individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no timed entry. Doors open at 5 p.m. Last entry to the event is 8 p.m., and the event concludes at 8:30 p.m.
Parking is available on the North and South Lots.
While parking for the event is free*, lots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and may reach capacity. If lots are full, limited street parking within the boundaries of Forest Park also is available for free.
*To receive free parking for the event, pull a ticket at the parking lot entrance kiosk and keep that ticket to scan upon exiting the lot.
Prior to the event, the Zoo closes to the public at 4 p.m. (all pathways, restaurants, exhibits and attractions will no longer be open.) Doors will re-open at 5 p.m. for the event. Zoo guests planning to attend Boo at the Zoo will need to exit the Zoo and have their event tickets scanned for re-entry starting at 5 p.m.
Buying tickets online is the best option as the Zoo is experiencing high call volumes. Tickets do sell out, so buying in advance is recommended.
For those unable to access the Zoo’s website, please call (314) 646-4797, option #2, to speak with a representative. Lines are staffed daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Zoo's wheelchair, stroller and ECV rental fees apply for this event.
Groups of 15 or more may receive a discounted rate on tickets when bought and paid for at least eight days prior to your visit date. To buy group tickets, please call (314) 646-4781, or visit the Group Ticket Desk at the North Entrance, open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Inclement weather with precipitation or high winds may hinder some displays from working correctly. We apologize for any inconvenience.
In case of a cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the Zoo will update its website and social media by 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Ticket holders also will receive an email. (If no guest alert has been posted by 3 p.m., the event will continue as planned.) If you have tickets for a canceled event, you will receive a full refund on the credit or debit card used to purchase. The Zoo will do its best to issue refunds promptly.
For any issues related to online ticket purchases, please call (314) 646-4797, option #2, or email guestrelations@stlzoo.org. A Zoo representative will follow up with you as soon as possible.

Costume Policy and Safety
Costumes are encouraged but must be family friendly. Costume masks and face paint/makeup that conceal the whole face are not permitted on guests 14 and older. Scary costumes are not permitted. Costume appropriateness is up to the discretion of Zoo Security. Click here to read our full Costume Policy.
For the latest information on the Zoo’s safety policies, click here.
Book Your Stay
Are you or your friends and family visiting from out of town? Check out our Hotel Partners to book your stay!
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon
Mid America Chevy Dealers
Prairie Farms Dairy
Truck Centers Inc.
Wells Fargo
The Goddard School
Dot Foods
To inquire about event sponsorship opportunities, please email sponsorship@stlzoo.org.