Boo at the Zoo returns to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo every weekend in October with Halloween-themed family entertainment and activities. Attractions and activities embrace spirit of the season and highlight wildlife like bats, snakes and nocturnal animals that have become iconic to Halloween.
Annual favorites including The Haunted Safari and Hess Spooky Hayride headline this year’s attractions and have been enhanced for this year’s festivities. Visitors will enjoy wildlife magic shows, musical performances, and costume parades in addition to traditional guest favorites including the hay maze and craft workshops.
Children 12 and under wearing a Halloween costume will receive free admission. Boo at the Zoo activities are included with the price of admission. The Hess Hayride is included with the purchase of a Total Experience Ticket.
Activities include:
Haunted Safari
Enter the B.O.O. LABS (Biological Organic Observatory), where Dr. D. Zaster is readying a top secret experiment designed to save the animal world – Expedition Earth – but all is not going according to plan. Dr. D. accidently spills coffee on his computer and disaster ensues. As guests move through the lab, Dr. D will be working to reboot the system and ensure that the planet is saved. Expedition Earth guides will help guests navigate the journey.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Former World of Darkness building
Costume Parade
Visitors can join the enchantment of a Halloween Parade. Hand-made puppets and props built by master costumers will be part of the fun as participants march through the zoo alongside a ten-foot grasshopper, an eight-foot butterfly, and other stilted characters from the Alice Farley Dance Company.
Time: Noon & 2:00 p.m.
Location: Rhino Garden (Zoo Center)
Musical Theater
In So You Think That's Scary?, The Children’s Theater Company at Lehman College creates a funny musical revue that will get everyone thinking about some misunderstood animals – and why they're really not so scary and actually invaluable to our ecosystem.
Time: 12:30, 1:30 & 2:30 p.m.
Location: Asia Plaza Theater
Hay Maze
Let yourself get lost at the zoo with a Halloween maze filled with sudden starts, stops and lots of adventure.
Time: 11:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Location: Butterfly Patio
Hess Hay Ride
Enjoy a thrilling hay ride beneath a canopy of beautiful fall foliage past the Birds of Prey exhibit and through the animated town of “Creepy Hollows.” The ride includes a look at an abandoned town where anything can happen, so watch out for crashing crates, shaky houses, and strange creatures. The adventure is accompanied by spooky Halloween music and a narrated storyline. Hayride admission is included with Total Experience Tickets.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location: Fountain Circle
Treat Stations
Special locations around the park will help sweeten your visit.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Craft Workshops
Make a one-of-a-kind Halloween mask of your favorite wild animal.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Location: Dancing Crane Pavilion
Animal Themed Magic Shows
Enjoy a Boo at the Zoo family tradition with remarkable slight of hand and optical illusions from magic man David Levitan.
Time: Noon, 2:00, & 4:00 p.m.
Presented by Fisher-Price
Location: Music & Magic tent at Fisher-Price Grizzly Goodies Corner
Live Music
Put on your dancing shoes for Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band as they lead an interactive musical adventure through song and dance aboard the “Howl-o-ween Express.” Enjoy and learn about all the characters you meet along the “Conservation Station Line,” including Belfry the Bat, Grizzly the Bear, Spidy-Man, Lady Leopard, the wise old Hoots the Owl, Slithering Snake and more.
Time: 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., & 3:00 p.m.
Location: Grizzly Goodies Picnic Area
Presented by Fisher-Price
Location: Music & Magic tent at Fisher-Price Grizzly Goodies Corner
Special Animal Enrichment Activities
2:00 p.m.: World of Reptiles
3:30 p.m.: Monkey House
11:15 a.m., 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 & 3:15 p.m.: Bat Chats at the Monkey House
Extinct Animal Graveyard
Learn about endangered and extinct animals at this spooky display.
Location: Mouse House lawn.
Pumpkin Displays
Check out the display of jack-o'-lanterns.
Location: Dancing Crane Pavilion.