It's the city's most reliable kid-sized Halloween: all the costumes and candy-season atmosphere with actual lions, gorillas, and creepy-crawlies as the backdrop. Daytime hours mean it works for even the littlest trick-or-treaters — no haunted-house terror required. Late-October weekends at the zoo also catch the Bronx River corridor near peak foliage.
What to expect
A regular zoo day with a Halloween overlay: decorated grounds, seasonal activities and entertainment on a weekend schedule, costumed families everywhere, and the usual exhibits open.
Good to know
- Runs weekends only (plus Monday, October 12) — it is a daytime event, not a haunted house
- Tickets go on sale September 1; check bronxzoo.com for pricing and what's included
- Costumes are welcome — the zoo publishes costume guidelines for visitors
- Take the 2/5 to West Farms Sq–E Tremont Av or the BxM11 express bus to the gate
- Halloween itself (Saturday, October 31) will be the busiest date of the season
Planning Sep 25–27, 2026 in NYC?
This list keeps changing as events are verified. We'll send you the final version the Thursday before — and you can unsubscribe right after if that's all you need.
Common questions
What are the 2026 Boo at the Zoo dates?
Saturdays and Sundays from September 26 through November 1, 2026, plus Monday, October 12, at the Bronx Zoo.
Is Boo at the Zoo scary?
No — it's a daytime, family-oriented celebration with decor, activities, and costumes, designed for kids rather than scares.
