Boo! at the Zoo brings family-friendly Halloween fun to Brookfield

The First Hundred Miles of Route 66 is home to many world-class attractions, but few are more widely known and beloved than Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Now, with the return of their long-running Boo! at the Zoo event, there’s never been a better time to take a fall excursion to this popular park.

All are invited to a family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring a delightfully frightful and fun-filled time at Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s 53rd annual Boo! at the Zoo – running now through Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.

During Boo!, guests will be able to stroll through the festively decorated Zoo, enjoy Halloween-themed food and drink, trick or treat in select retail locations and see their favorite animals in a whole new light. On Saturdays and Sundays, the fun comes alive with additional special activities. Enjoy pumpkin animal enrichment activities, themed zoo chats, meet and greets with costumed characters and strolling entertainment, Inflate-A-Boo inflatables and a costume parade.

This year, Keebler is hosting a striped scavenger hunt inspired by their fudge-striped Halloween cookies. Scan a QR code on signs around the park and follow the clues to find striped animals and learn fun facts about them. Guests who play are entered for a chance to win a Family Annual Membership or an animal feeding experience. Plus, you can taste-test the cookies themselves at a Keebler tent near North Gate during weekends, while supplies last.

The zoo’s popular dinosaur animatronics also will be around for this year’s fall festivities. Be sure to visit these towering prehistoric creatures before they leave on Oct. 25. Guests can catch a free Dinosaur Ranger Academy show on weekends at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Afterwards, head over to Dino Dig Alley and meet Dinosaur Ranger Brook and her three baby dino puppets.

During Boo! at the Zoo, you can enjoy limited-time seasonal treats, like cider floats, monster Rice Krispies, caramel apples and more. For a heartier meal, order the Gabaghoul sandwich or Phantom Pie pizza from Roaring Oven. A make-your-own s’mores station will also be available during Boo! at the Zoo weekends, for an additional charge.

On Oct. 24, you can attend Boo Brunch at the Pavilions for even more harvest flavors and sweets. The event includes delicious brunch favorites with some hauntingly good twists, a live Interactive DJ, free kids’ face painting, and more. Boo Brunch is at 10 to 11:30 a.m., and 12 to 1:30 p.m. A ticket to Boo Brunch includes Zoo admission, guests are encouraged to come early or stay late to enjoy other Halloween festivities around the park.

The zoo also offers a pair of pumpkin-themed activities. Visitors can pay to decorate a pumpkin on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. near the Beer Garden at East Mall ($9.99 for one pumpkin, $16.99 for two), or stop by Hamill Family Play Zoo for free Halloween crafts.

From sloth bears and spider monkeys to meerkats and bats, the animals also get to enjoy the seasonal fun of playing with pumpkins. Here’s a look at the remaining animal enrichment schedule: Saturday, Oct. 24 (10:30 a.m.: Goats, 2:30 p.m.: Bats), Sunday, Oct. 25 (10:30 a.m.: Binturong, 2:30 p.m.: Lemurs).

For more information, and a full list of upcoming activities like Zoo Chats, visit brookfieldzoo.org/events/boo-at-the-zoo .