Boo at the Zoo Returns to Philadelphia Zoo with New Haunted House, Train Ride, and More

Philadelphia Zoo’s beloved fall tradition, Boo at the Zoo, is returning bigger than ever this year with expanded dates, brand-new activities, and family-friendly frights. Running across three weekends plus an additional weekday — October 11–13, 18–19, and 25–26, 2025 — the annual Halloween celebration invites guests of all ages to trick-or-treat through the Zoo while enjoying new seasonal surprises.

This year’s festivities include the debut of a not-so-scary haunted house, a Halloween-themed SEPTA “Boo” Choo train ride, costume parades around Bird Lake, and interactive activities like Pumpkin Putt Putt and the spooky Frightful Flora garden tour. Families can also enjoy hands-on learning stations, including spider sling-shot challenges and vampire bat trivia.

Highlights of Boo at the Zoo 2025

• Trick-or-Tree House – Dance party, candy station, haybale maze, and themed decorations inside the Zoo’s historic 1876 Tree House.

• SEPTA PZ “Boo” Choo Train – A Halloween-decorated ride weaving through fall colors.

• Pumpkin Putt Putt – A six-hole mini golf course designed for spooky fun.

• Costume Parades – Guests can strut their costumes daily at 1:30 p.m. for a chance to win a Family Membership.

• Animal Pumpkin Feedings – Watch hippos, orangutans, gorillas, tortoises, big cats, and more interact with seasonal pumpkin enrichments.

• Seasonal Treats – From pumpkin spice lattes to “Franken Dogs” and mummy-wrapped corn dogs, the Zoo’s cafés and food stands will be serving Halloween-inspired bites.

On Saturday, October 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., the Zoo will open early for sensory-friendly guests, offering a quieter, more relaxed experience before general admission.

As part of the celebration, Zoo animals will receive pumpkin and gourd enrichments, puzzle feeders, and themed activities designed by the animal care team. These seasonal twists highlight the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to animal well-being and species-appropriate behaviors.

For those looking to make the most of the event, the Zoo is offering its popular Wake Up With Wildlife Premium Tours on October 12 and 19. This Halloween edition includes a rare stop inside The Solitude, the Zoo’s oldest — and rumored most haunted — building.

Boo at the Zoo is included with regular Zoo admission and membership. Tickets are on sale now at philadelphiazoo.org. Zoo members also enjoy exclusive perks like early access hours, free parking, and year-round discounts.

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