banner - BOO at the ZOO; with photo of mom holding child, dressed in costume as black/orange monarch butterflies with fuzzy antennae, smiling and waving.

Louisville Zoo Announces “Boo at the Zoo” Event; Set to Begin Oct. 1

CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331  |  Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

Families can social distance and celebrate Halloween festivities at the Zoo

Members tickets are now on sale for the Louisville Zoo’s upcoming “Boo at the Zoo” Halloween event. This is the 39th year for the popular party, which will take place Oct. 1 – 30, Thursday through Sunday nights. Children can dress up in their wildest costumes for the event, which will see some changes as the Zoo takes measures to help ensure the health and safety of all Zoo guests, staff and animals during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Non-member Boo at the Zoo tickets will be available starting Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.

Trick-or-treating will be offered for kids 11 and under. To help us prevent the spread of COVID-19, all guests over the age of 5 must wear a mask to enter the route.  This year, the Zoo will not be handing out individual pieces of candy, but instead, those participating will receive a small sealed treat bag at each booth. Candy will be distributed by Zoo staff who receive health screenings when they arrive at work each day. There will be socially distanced photo opportunities with your favorite costumed characters.

“This is an event our community and guests look forward to each year, and we are doing our part to make this as safe as possible so that we can continue on with the Halloween festivities this year,” said John Walczak, Director of the Louisville Zoo. “We are excited about Boo at the Zoo and being able to offer kids a fun event outdoors where they can still celebrate this holiday.”

Tickets

Tickets for Boo at the Zoo are $12.50 for non-members (both adults and children) and $6 for members (both adults and children). Children 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket. To minimize contact points, tickets are now all-inclusive, covering the cost of Boo at the Zoo admission, parking, Spooktacular Carousel, “not-so itsy bitsy” Spider House and the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow attraction.

Members and guests are required to reserve tickets online at LouisvilleZoo.org, with their chosen date and arrival time. Reserving tickets online is an effort to help reduce contact and manage guest capacity. Non-member tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.

Event Hours

On Boo at the Zoo event days:

  • The Zoo will close early for regular daytime visitors. Gates will close at 3 p.m. with guests being allowed to visit until 4 p.m.
    Halloween guests can begin entering the Zoo at their selected times, starting at 5 p.m. The trick-or-treat route closes at 10 p.m.

Costumes

We encourage all visitors to wear costumes and ask that they be family friendly. Adults may not wear full facial masks that cover the entire face.

To learn more about the event and Boo at the Zoo activities, visit LouisvilleZoo.org/boo.

Boo at the Zoo is sponsored by Ford Motor Company, Meijer, PNC Grow Up Great and T-Mobile, with additional support from Councilman Pat Mulvihill and District 10 Residents, KY SAVES 529, McDonald’s of Kentuckiana, UPS, USA Image, Delta Dental of Kentucky, Nu-Yale and Jason Philpot Hay.

For information on social distancing protocols at the Zoo and safe attendance, please visit louisvillezoo.org/together.

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About the Louisville Zoo

The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).