Get ready for a fang-tastic time at BOO! at the Zoo, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s family-friendly Halloween celebration. This event is packed with not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations, and plenty of fun for all ages. Admission to BOO! at the Zoo is free with Zoo membership.
 

PURCHASE TICKETS

• All BOO! Long: Stroll through the Zoo festively decorated, enjoy Halloween-themed food and drink, trick or treating in select retail locations, and see your favorite animals in a whole new light.

• Weekends Only: The fun comes alive with special activities! Enjoy extra trick-or-treating locations, FREE inflatables, a magician, and other thrilling surprises that will make your visit unforgettable.
  Sundays Only: Don’t miss our NEW BOO! at the Zoo Art Fair, where creativity meets spooky fun.

• It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with the whole family — don't miss the frightful fun! 
  
  
   

  Activities Schedule

  • 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Fridays through October 24 and 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays through October 26 Inflate-a-BOO! – Free inflatables available for children aged 3-10. Located across from Pachyderm building.

  • 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Creatures of the Night info tables – Saturdays only. Located near The Carousel.

  • 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Costume parades – Weekends only. Located in the East Mall.

  • 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Pumpkin decorating* – Weekends only. Located in the East Mall.

  • 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Trick-or-Treating (North Gate Market, South Gate Market, and Living Coast Gift Shop – Daily. East Mall – Weekends only. )

  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Magician – Weekends only. Located in the East Mall.

  • Owl crafts at Hamill Family Play Zoo – Weekends only, while supplies last

  • Disney Channel Halloween Bags – Pick up a free bag on your way into the Zoo, Fridays through Sundays​

  • Magical Pumpkin Seek-N-Find – Enter to win magical prizes from Disney On Ice & Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Take a stroll around The Carousel and locate six Encanto themed pumpkins.
    
    *Additional fees apply
     

    Band Schedule

  • Saturday, October 18, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.: 52^nd Street: Tribute to Billy Joel

    • Sunday, October 19, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Hello Weekend
       

      BOO! Menus

      From spooky treats to chilling eats, we have a wide selection of BOO! at the Zoo special menu offerings located throughout Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Cup and Cone, Roaring Oven, and The Grove will offer specialty treats daily throughout October, and the East Mall's funnel cake station will be open weekends throughout October. 
       

      VIEW MENUS

      
      Zoo Chat Schedule

  • Saturdays & Sundays, October 4-26

  • • 11:00 a.m. Bats - Australia House

    • 11:30 a.m. Herps - Feathers & Scales 

    • 12:00 p.m. Guam kingfisher - Tropic World Asia

    • 12:15 p.m. Sea lion - Sea Lion Cove

    • 2:00 p.m. Primates - Gorilla Conservation Center inside Bramsen Tropical Forests

    • 2:15 p.m. Mexican wolf - Regenstein Wolf Woods

    • 3:00 p.m. Eel - Living Coast

    • 3:30 p.m. White-bellied pangolin - Habitat Africa! The Forest
      
      Zoo Chats Brought To You By
      
       

      Pumpkins to Animals Schedule

    • Saturday, October 4: 10:30 a.m. Brown bears; 2:30 p.m. African painted dogs

      • Sunday, October 5: 10:30 a.m. Sloth bears; 2:30 p.m. Kangaroos

        • Saturday, October 11: 10:30 a.m. Goats; 2:30 p.m. Rodrigues fruit bats

        • Sunday, October 12: 10:30 a.m. Polar bears; 2:30 p.m. Echidnas

          • Saturday, October 18: 10:30 a.m. Gorillas; 2:30 p.m. Dwarf mongooses

          • Sunday, October 19: 10:30 a.m. Brown bears; 2:30 p.m. Mexican wolves

          • Saturday, October 25: 10:30 a.m. Sand cat; 2:30 p.m. Red river hogs

            • Sunday, October 26: 10:30 a.m. Rhino; 2:30 p.m. Lemurs

    
    Event Rules

    To ensure a fun and safe environment for all attendees, please keep the following in mind when choosing your costume:

    • Costumes must be appropriate for all ages. Please avoid any themes, language, or imagery that could be considered offensive, overly scary, or inappropriate for children.

    • Real or fake weapons of any kind (including toy guns, swords, knives, or props that resemble weapons) are not permitted.

    • Guests over the age of 13 are not permitted to wear full-body costumes with their heads covered at any time. This is to avoid confusion with Brookfield Zoo Chicago costume characters and for the safety of all guests and animals.

    Please note, all BOO! at the Zoo activities are weather-dependent, and schedule/programming is subject to change.