2025 Houston Zoo Boo

Little ghouls and goblins will love the annual, family favorite Zoo Boo. (Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo)

The Houston Zoo invites all little ghouls and goblins to its month-long, family favorite Zoo Boo. From Sept. 26- Oct. 31 guests will fall into fun with the perfect autumn-themed photo ops including a 15-foot-tall fall foliage arch at the Reflection Pool, explore Ghost Town near the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, walk through a pumpkin tunnel made from hundreds of pumpkin lanterns and all while wearing their best costumes.

For the first time, Galapagos Islands will take on a spooky new look using projection mapping technology to tell a ghostly tale. The immersive display casts animated visuals on the rocks and landscape that will captivate guests as they enter the Zoo. Back by popular demand, guests can see Glowing Pumpkins next to Reptile and Amphibian House and be entertained by the Talking Pumpkins next to the Flamingo Terrace and at the Spooky Forest.

On select dates, as the sun goes down, Zoo Boo will light up. Stay late and enjoy Zoo Boo Extended Hours where guests of all ages can enjoy thrills and chills later into the evening. On these evenings, the Zoo will close at 9:30 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m. Extended Hours are Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17-19, 23-24, and 26-30.

The animals will also be joining in on the fun in October. All month long the Zoo’s animals will receive fall-themed enrichment including pumpkins, cinnamon scented paw-zzles, and fall favorite treats. Enrichment plays an important role at the Zoo. The Zoo’s dedicated animal care teams provide animals with a variety of daily enrichments to help keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Each day, enrichment helps animals exercise their cognitive, behavioral or sensory skills.

All Zoo Boo activities and Extended Hours are included with general admission and are free for Zoo members. Tickets and reservations must be made online for non-members. Guests are encouraged to make a parking plan before heading to the Zoo. Free parking is available in Hermann Park. Guests can also use their favorite rideshare app or ride the METRORail. Several pay-to-park garages are available near the Zoo, including 6400 Fannin. For all the details and to make Zoo Boo reservations, visit www.houstonzoo.org. 

By recycling old handheld devices during Zoo Boo, guests are helping to save gorillas in the wild. A portion of each Zoo membership and admission supports the Zoo’s small electronics recycling program. Cell phones and other handheld devices contain a mineral called coltan which is found in central Africa. When the mineral is destructively mined, wild habitats are taken away from gorillas, chimpanzees and okapis. Devices can be recycled at the collection box located at the main entrance of the Zoo.

Additional Specialty Nights

Spooky Spirits
Thurs., Oct. 16
Adults 21+ are invited to wear their best costumes and enjoy the Zoo without the kids. Tickets include one drink and access to Zoo Boo at night. Specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic options are available for purchase. Tickets available at www.houstonzoo.org.

Dia de los Muertos
November 1 & 2
Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrating the lives of late loved ones through colorful altars and celebrations. The Zoo will honor some its animals that recently passed away. Guests can celebrate the life of their beloved animal by bringing a photo or creating a craft for the Zoo’s ofrenda and take photos with La Catrina, a symbolic figure of a female skeleton wearing an elegant hat. The Zoo will extend its hours to 9:30 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m.