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Boo at the Zoo
Get ready for a WILD Halloween night out! Boo at the Zoo, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s beloved family-friendly Halloween celebration, returns Oct. 17, 18 and 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Put on your favorite costume and explore the Zoo after hours, collecting treats at 30 trick-or-treat stations throughout the park. Watch as animals enjoy jack-o’-lanterns and other spooky enrichment surprises, and stroll past whimsical Halloween scenes featuring skeletons and fantastical creatures along the main walkway.
Other spooktacular entertainments:
🎃 Live giant pumpkin carving on the Conservation Pavilion patio
🧙 A roaming magician performing spellbinding tricks
👻 A troupe of costumed actors bringing Halloween characters to life throughout the park
Fall is full of fun family adventures! Check out our guides to fall festivals in Central Virginia, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, and the best apple-picking spots. After all that farm fun be sure to check out our family recipe collection for some yummy fall treats, including a pear witch.
Don’t miss a thing—sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag for weekly event highlights and family fun ideas. And be sure to meet our valued partners who serve local families.