BOO AT THE ZOO
OCTOBER 20, 21, 27 & 28
STORY: Claire Ruhlin
Imagine if you could trick or treat alongside more than 1,000 animals. Zoo Atlanta offers just that at its annual Boo at the Zoo festival, held the last two weekends in October. For four days, the Grant Park attraction will transform into Zoo Boo Town, inviting guests to enjoy Halloween treats and special programming throughout the property.
“Boo at the Zoo is Zoo Atlanta’s way to celebrate Halloween in a safe, family-friendly environment,” says Public Events Manager Jordan Marsh. “Children are encouraged to wear costumes for trick-or-treating at stations throughout the Zoo. Each station features candy offerings made with only sustainable palm oil.”
Festival activities will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Guests will find excitement in each area of the Zoo: costume contests, games, live pumpkin carvings, crafts and a children’s dance party,” Marsh says. Children can journey through Candy Village on the zoo’s Halloween-themed Boo Train, and additional programming includes a live party DJ and an inflatable corn maze. Storybook characters such as Paddington Bear, the Taco Dragon, Pete the Cat, Wild Thing and Hedgie the Hedgehog will also make appearances.
And Zoo Members take note: the party is free for members and children younger than 3 years old. For non-members, the event is included with general admission. And it’s not just the guests who will be festive for the season, Marsh says. “The animals get in on the fun, too, with special Halloween enrichment added to their habitats.”
