“Boo at the Zoo” at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

Submitted by the Event Organizer

See kids and families in the most creative animal, super hero and pop culture-themed Halloween costumes around during Boo at the Zoo, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens popular family event. This year’s “spookacular” event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 & 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highlights of this include the daily costume parade and contest and watching as zoo animals “chomp and stomp” their Halloween and pumpkin treats throughout each day, plus all new activities.

The costume parade and contest will take place at 12 noon at the Elinor Friend Playground, where entrants can line up to parade around the Sculpture Learning Plaza and Playfield Lawn before being considered for the various costume categories. Categories include: Best Animal Costume, Best Family Costume, Best Toddler Costume and Judge’s Favorite, where winners are selected in first, second and third place. And new this year is the Franken-stomp Costume Dance Party with DJ music, which follows the costume contest.

Throughout each day, a line-up of scheduled treat presentations for animals, such as chimpanzees, lemurs, rhinoceroses, and more make Boo at the Zoo one of the most unique Halloween events around. It’s recommended that guests “take a snap” of the animal treat schedules on display signage as they enter the Zoo.

Also returning after a hiatus is the “creepy crawly” Haunted Nature Trail where guests can meet a variety of animals up-close and personal along a wooded pathway. In addition, the indoor Insect Zoo will be festooned with Halloween décor. At the Zoo’s VR Zone, the latest virtual reality ride experience is “JINXED: The Ghost Train.” Donning VR goggles, riders will be immersed in the world’s creepiest fun fair where they will virtually ride a chaotic ghost train with one unearthly surprise after another. Tickets are separate from Zoo admission.

The event also features the Harvest Hollow Hay Maze, a 5,000-square foot hay maze, known as the largest one in San Francisco, featuring a hay pit, toddler maze and lots of dead ends within the maze. Craft activities and a candy treat station will be located in Entry Village where guests can pick up a candy upon exiting.

Guests are encouraged to dress in costume, however, please avoid wearing masks for the animals’ safety.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.