Photo Credit: Terria Clay
New hay mazes, carnival games, and animal chats join the zoo’s Halloween lineup this September and October.
At a Glance:
Weekends, Sept. 26–Nov. 1, plus Monday, Oct. 12
New hay maze, carnival games, and expert-led animal chats
Costume parade, pumpkin displays, and face painting return
Included with zoo admission; free for WCS members; advance tickets required
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Photo Credit: Terria Clay
What’s New This Year at Boo at the Zoo
We know the kids literally just went back to school and it’s still technically summer, but the Halloween season is already in full swing. (I won’t even mention how many holiday events are on the verge of opening around the city!). One of New York’s best, the Bronx Zoo’s fall festival is back, and this year it’s a little bigger, with a few new stations added to the usual lineup.
Hay Maze & Challenge Course
Kids can climb and crawl through a hay maze modeled after animal movements, and there’s a bit encouraging them to hop like a frog or sneak like a snow leopard as they work through it.
Boo Carnival
A new carnival area features classic games like pumpkin smash, ring toss, and shuffle ball.
Photo Credit: Terria Clay
Animal Chats
If your child is into the “why” behind things, check the schedule for these sessions, where zoo staff talk through animal behavior and take questions.
Returning Favorites
The old standbys are all still there: a costume parade with stilt walkers, a dance party after, giant pumpkin displays for photos, and free face painting for ages 3+. There’s also an extinct species graveyard exhibit, which is more educational than scary, plus pumpkin carving demos and a palm oil-free candy trail.
Planning Your Visit
Boo at the Zoo runs on weekends, from Sept. 26–Nov. 1, plus Monday, Oct. 12. Tickets aren’t timed this year, so you have more flexibility on when to show up, but they do need to be booked in advance, since slots sell out quickly. It’s always worth grabbing tickets early if you’re set on a specific weekend. As usual, Boo at the Zoo is included with Bronx Zoo admission and is free for WCS Members.
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