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Skelebration 2025
Thank you for joining us for our first Skelebration!
It’s not a trick!
It’s the treat you’ve been waiting for! Join the Friends of the Louisville Zoo (FOZ) on Wednesday, October 8 from 6 – 9 p.m. for the debut of Skelebration, an exclusive after-hours Halloween event for adults 21 and over.
This one-of-a-kind evening invites guests to experience the Zoo like never before — with specialty food and beverage tastings, a signature cocktail and mocktail, beer and wine, and plenty of festive treats as they stroll the traditional Boo at the Zoo route. Expect a few tricks along the way, too.
Click to see the 2025 Skelebration Map
Highlights include:
- Tastings Heaven Hill and 7 Brew
- “Trick-or-treat” from station to station for food, beverages, and swag!
- Bites courtesy of Kaelin’s 80/20, SSA Group, KFC, Joe’s Crab Shack, Kern’s Kitchen, Qdoba, and Comfy Cow
- Themed Skelebration swag and items from friends at Nightmare Forest and Devil’s Attic
- Animal encounters
- Dancing under the stars at the Cosmic Disco
- Spine-tingling surprises in the spider house
- A nostalgic spin on the Zoo’s carousel
- Photo ops with costumed characters
- A costume contest with prizes
- Guests can also support the Zoo through a bourbon pull sponsored by Bardstown Bourbon Company and silent auction, with proceeds benefiting special projects and capital improvements.
Price
Early bird tickets: $75 through September 14
Starting Sept. 15: $85
The rules are simple: take a photo of your costume at Skelebration on October 8, 2025. Then, comment your photo on the Friends of the Zoo post calling for submissions. The winners will be featured on social media and receive a prize package. Contest Rules: Friends of the Louisville Zoo will announce winning costume contest submissions for the categories of: Each winner will receive a swag bag featuring a Louisville Zoo Family Fun packed and Zoo branded items.
Be part of the magic with a Sponsorship!
This adults-only Halloween celebration at the Louisville Zoo offers a thrilling evening of entertainment, treats, and community engagement. As a sponsor, your brand will be front and center in one of Louisville’s most anticipated fall events.
SILENT AUCTION |
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The Auction Site Is Now Live!Explore an exciting selection of exclusive items, including animal encounters, original animal-themed artwork, premium spirits, private experiences, and much more. Unable to attend Skelebration in person? No problem — you can still participate and place your bids online. |
More 21+ Events |
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Looking for more grown-up fun at your Zoo? Enjoy our lineup of adult-only events this year! Check out similar events at your Zoo like Happy Hours, Brew at the Zoo and Monarchs & Mimosas.Learn more… |
FAQs
Skelebration is an adult-only (21+) event that will occur on Wednesday, October 8 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Louisville Zoo.
Full event plans are still in development. The Friends of the Louisville Zoo (FOZ) Board is taking the best features of their past events such as “Brew at the Zoo with Wine and Food, Too” and “Sip ‘N Stroll” to offer an adult-only (21+) Halloween-inspired event through the Zoo. It’s a first of its kind in the region.
Skelebration will utilize the traditional Louisville Zoo Boo at the Zoo route only for this adult-only event, it will deliver drinks, treats and food bites near the traditional candy booth stops. All weekend dates in October are reserved for children and their families at Boo at the Zoo
Yes! Skelebration guests will be encouraged to wear costumes! Please note that for the safety of all guests and animals, the following items are prohibited: masks and facial coverings; toy weapons of any kind; bookbags or bags larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches. Clear bags are recommended.
All mobility devices for guests with disabilities, including ECVs, are permitted through the attraction. Strollers are permitted as well. Interactive areas have accessible elements such as raised dig box and wheelchair accessible photo ops. Please see our Rentals Page for more information.
The Louisville Zoo is happy to permit service dogs on grounds. Due to the unique nature of our facility, we do have a few restrictions so please see our Service Animals Page for more information.
For guests with sensory sensitivities, please see our Accessibility Page for information about Sensory Bags available for loan and nearby Quiet Areas to plan breaks during your visit.
If at any time during your visit you need assistance, please speak to a Louisville Zoo team member or call the Front Desk at (502) 459-2181. We are here to help.
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