ZOO CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
502-238-5331 (Media Cell 502-744-5639)
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

The Louisville Zoo celebrates 41 years of merry — not scary — fun this October with its ever-popular annual Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer. Tickets go on sale to the general public September 6 at 11 a.m. for the beloved annual event that takes place October 1 – 2; 6 – 9; 13 – 16; 20 – 23; 27 – 30 (Thursday – Sunday nights, October 1 – 30). Tickets will be made available for early purchase to Louisville Zoo members via email on September 1.

Guests can dress up in their wildest costumes for the after-hours event that turns the Zoo into a living storybook, complete with favorite characters brought to life, music, photo opportunities around every corner and, of course, a safe place to trick-or-treat for kids 11 and under. Guests are encouraged to bring their own trick-or-treat bags. Reusable treat bags will be available for purchase at the Zoo’s Gift Shop for $2 (while supplies last).

As Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer may sell out, purchase your tickets early so you don’t miss out on the fun.

Tickets

Tickets for Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer are $13 for non-members (both adults and children 3 and older) and $6.50 for members (both adults and children 3 and older). Children 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket. Tickets are 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 can purchase tickets online at louisvillezoo.org, with their chosen date and arrival time. Tickets are limited each night and some nights may sell out quickly.

A limited number of Meijer anytime tickets can be purchased at participating Meijer stores for $11 beginning September 25.  Visit louisvillezoo.org/meijer for a list of stores.

Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer is a rain or shine event.

Event Hours/Special Dates

On Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer 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.

The party starts at 5 p.m. and Halloween guests will enter the Zoo at their ticketed time. The trick-or-treat route will close and all guests must exit by 10 p.m.

Thursday, October 20 is Allergy-Friendly Night and will feature peanut-free treat booths and added non-food treats like stickers, pencils and more. Children with allergies can receive a teal token redeemable for an allergy-friendly option at our Switch Witch booth.

Costumes

The Zoo encourages all visitors to wear family-friendly costumes. Adults may join in the fun, however full costume masks that cover the entire face are not permitted for adults.

To learn more about the event and Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer activities, visit louisvillezoo.org/boo.

 Animals

While guests may catch a glimpse of a few party animals, most animal ambassadors will not be on exhibit in the evenings so they can rest and follow their regular fall schedules.

Boo at the Zoo is presented by Meijer and sponsored by PNC Grow Up Great with additional support from Councilman Pat Mulvihill & District 10 residents, Ky Saves 529, Norton Children’s and UPS. Special thanks to USA Image, Kosair Charities, Nu-Yale, Delta Dental and Philpot Hay Company.

Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer provides critical support every year to the Zoo’s animal care programs, visitor experience and conservation education.

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About the Louisville Zoo

Since 2011, under Mayor Fischer’s administration, the Louisville Zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary, opened nine new exhibits and attractions, and won national awards for Glacier Run and School at the Zoo. Considered Kentucky’s most popular not-for-profit paid attraction, the Zoo welcomed nearly 9 million guests in the last decade. In 2021, the Zoo was voted “Best Place to Take Kids in Summer,” by LEO Weekly, “Best Kid-Friendly Attraction” by Kentucky Living Magazine and Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer made the Top 10 Halloween Festivals list by thetravel.com. Community Access Memberships, deep-discount days, the Future Healers Got Zoo Buddies partnership and the accessible playground are among prime efforts to make Louisville Zoo even safer, more engaging, and more inclusive. Among the Louisville Zoo’s most successful conservation programs, the black-footed ferret breeding effort produced 1,100 kits and repatriated more than 800 of these most highly endangered, American mammals to the wild.

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