Halloween Events Return to National Zoo
Boo at the Zoo, the Smithsonian National Zoo’s annual family-friendly event is back this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6-8:30 p.m. The zoo’s 21-and-over cocktail party, Night of the Living Zoo, is next Friday from 7-11 p.m.
Proceeds from both events support animal care and conservation science at the zoo and are held rain or shine.
Boo at the Zoo, a family-friendly Halloween event, returns to the National Zoo on Oct. 18-20. (Photo; National Zoo)
Boo at the Zoo
Grab your best costume and enjoy the festivities while stopping at 30 trick-or-treat stations. You can also visit the zoo’s animals as they interact with jack-o-lanterns and other Halloween-themed enrichment. Outside the animal exhibits, spooky scenes of frolicking skeletons and other fantastic creatures haunt the zoo’s main walkway.
Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the elephant community center, small mammal house and reptile discovery center, plus a souvenir tote bag for gathering up goodies from trick-or-treat stations.
Member tickets are $25 while tickets for the general public $35. Parking is $30, but already sold out for all nights. Zoo Members get early entry at 5 p.m.
Night of the Living Zoo, a 21-and-over party, happens Oct. 20 at the National Zoo. (Photo: Jim Jenkins/Friends of the National Zoo)
Night of the Living Zoo
A spirited and spine-chilling evening awaits at this adult-only Halloween party. There will be an open cocktail bar, two stages with entertainment, circus acts, ghoulish scenes along the zoo’s main walkway, a photobooth and a DJ all night long. The reptile discovery center and great cats exhibits will be open for animal viewing from 7-9 p.m. Other indoor animal exhibits will be closed.
Guests must be 21 years of age or older. ID is required for entry. While costumes are encouraged, full-face masks and accessories or props that look like weapons are not allowed. The party takes place in the lower zoo near the great cats exhibit.
Tickets include after-hours access, open cocktail bar and entertainment. Food and flash tattoos are available for purchase. Last entry at 10:30 p.m.
Tickets are $55 for members (up to 6 tickets) and $65 for non-members. Parking is $30 and must be purchased online in advance.
