Halloween Events at Zoos Near Champaign-Urbana

Dressing up in a costume, getting treats and seeing animals all at once? Get your tickets for Boo at the Zoo and learn about other Halloween events at zoos near Champaign-Urbana

Scovill Zoo in Decatur is requiring online advance reservations for its annual family friendly Halloween event; other zoos are announcing special October events

If you love a visit to the zoo AND you’re a fan of Halloween, Boo at the Zoo (and other similar events) are something to pencil into your October plans. We have many zoos a short drive from Champaign-Urbana making special Halloween plans and we want you to get all the details now so you can plan and avoid missing out.

Boo at the Zoo, Scovill Zoo

Must Know Info: Boo at the Zoo is held at Scovill Zoo in Decatur. Held on select dates beginning Oct. 15 through Oct. 31. Reservations are required. Head here for the details on its website.

Get those costumes on and drive your kids over to the Scovill Zoo in Decatur for some outdoor Halloween fun. Kids can roam the zoo in their costumes during special evening hours. When you register, you choose whether that person wants a treat bag so there are two different prices for the treat and non-treat options. Kids under age 2 are free (and do not receive a treat bag). Of course, if you’d like them to receive treats you can register them, too.

Head over to the Boo at the Zoo online reservations website to take care of the details regarding registration. They will walk you through the process to get signed up.

Scovill Zoo, Boo at the Zoo — Boo at the Zoo, Scovill Zoo (photo: Scovill Zoo Facebook page)

Spooktacular, Miller Park Zoo

Must Know Info: Spooktacular is held at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington from Oct. 22-24 during daytime hours. Reservations are NOT required. Get details on the upcoming events page of its website.

This daytime event does have lighted displays as part of its fun and excitement. A festive atmosphere with crafts, games, face painting and more. All activities are FREE with admission to the zoo. Wear your costumes!

Howl-Zoo-Ween, Peoria Zoo

Must Know Info: Howl-Zoo-Ween is held at Peoria Zoo. Held October 15-16 during special evening hours.Purchase tickets ahead of time to avoid lines the night of the event. Head here for details on its website.

This evening event has a trick-or-treat trail, bounce houses and more. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at the gift shop. It sounds like you can wait in a line the night of the event to purchase tickets, too, but that doesn’t sound like fun to us. The online ticket purchase site is here.

Peoria Zoo Meerkats with a Pumpkin — Meerkat with a Pumpkin (photo: Peoria Zoo Facebook page)

Zoo Boo, Indianapolis Zoo

Must Know Info: Zoo Boo begins at 2 p.m. on select days and continues into evening hours (either 7 or 9 p.m.). Buy tickets ahead of time as these are “heavy traffic” days at the zoo. Read the details on the zoo website.

Trick-or-treating on a trick-or-treat trail, a live DJ, themed activities and awesomely active animals make Zoo Boo a favorite family tradition. Zoo Boo is included with regular admission to the zoo for that day. Activities run Wednesday-Sunday and the zoo is open later on Friday and Saturday. As all days are “heavy traffic” on the zoo ticket site, you’re encouraged to scoop up your tickets sooner rather than later.

Indianapolis Zoo flamingoes celebrating Halloween — Flamingoes celebrating Halloween at the Indianapolis Zoo. (photo: Indianapolis Zoo Facebook page)

Boo! at the Zoo, Brookfield Zoo

Must Know Info: Boo! at the Zoo is happening this year after a one-year hiatus. Held on Saturdays and Sundays on select weekends in October during regular hours, activities are included in regular zoo admission. Read the details on the zoo website.

Visit a number of family friendly Halloween photo ops, show off your costume and get a sweet treat upon exiting the zoo (instead of trick-or-treating) at this year’s Boo! at the Zoo. Our favorite part of this event might be that they include a schedule of what animals will be fed pumpkins as a treat on what days, so plan accordingly! Activities are included in zoo admission; buy tickets ahead of time.

Boo at the Zoo, Brookfield Zoo — Boo at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo. (photo: Brookfield Zoo Facebook page)

Boo at the Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo

Must Know Info: Boo at the Zoo is held nightly beginning Oct. 15 through Halloween. Reservations are required; there is an admission fee (this is a free zoo during normal operating hours). Read the details on the zoo website.

This evening event is full of illuminated Halloween decorations, stroller entertainers and stage shows and more not-so-spooky evening fun. The online ticket site is here; tickets range between $8.95 and $11.95 for non-members of the zoo.

Interested in another option? NOT a trick-or-treating event, Halloweekends are full of some fun outdoor decorations, fall-themed treats for the animals and an opportunity to wear your costume to the zoo for some FREE fun during normal operating hours on weekends.

Saint Louis Zoo animals celebrating Halloween — Halloween “treat” for zoo animal at the Saint Louis Zoo. (photo: Saint Louis Zoo Facebook page)

Fall Fest, Lincoln Park Zoo

Must Know Info: Fall Fest isn’t exclusively a Halloween event, but it is certainly worth including on this list. Held Friday-Sundays in October, several of the attractions are paid experiences (this is a free zoo). Read the details on the zoo website.

These harvest-themed days feature a pumpkin walk, pumpkin carving demonstrations, music and more. While the festive atmosphere will carry through the entire zoo for all visitors, there are additional fees for things like the pumpkin walk, pumpkin patch and others. No reservations required for this free zoo.