Looking for a family-friendly Halloween event that even the littlest spooks in your family will enjoy? Mark your calendar because the annual Boo in the Zoo in Greenville, SC is coming up, kicking off on October 18th, 2023. We’ll give you all the details and some hints on what to expect so your family will be ready to enjoy this awesome event!
Check out our complete Halloween Near Greenville, SC list of great places to trick-or-treat, Halloween events, and more!
Fun At Greenville’s Boo In The Zoo
My family tries to trick-or-treat at Boo in the Zoo every year. We enjoy the safe trick-or-treating atmosphere, the chance to see the animals, and cute Halloween decorations and photo ops. This annual Halloween event in Greenville has been going on so long that many of us parents remember trick-or-treating at the zoo as kids.
The zoo has timed entrances and limited attendance each night for the safety of guests and to assist with crowd control. Guests are asked to pre-purchase tickets online to guarantee their preferred entry time. With limited capacity, Boo in the Zoo is expected to sell out each night. Walk-ups will not be permitted on sold-out nights. Although bags have been provided in the past, guests are being asked to bring their own bags for trick-or-treating.
What is Boo in the Zoo, At The Greenville Zoo?
Boo in the Zoo is a non-scary annual Halloween event for children 12 and under the last two weekends in October.
Children (and some adults) wear costumes and carry a specially provided bag through the zoo and receive treats from local businesses. The animals are allowed out although some may stay indoors.
(If you want to see the animals, be sure to go early in the evening when the animals will be more likely to be awake and moving around.)
Even though all non-member visitors to the zoo must pay, only children are allowed to trick-or-treat.
The Not Very Scary House is one of the highlights of the Boo in the Zoo adventure, where children can walk through a building full of fun, spooky decorations while collecting several pieces of candy. Outside the Not Very Scary House is also a great place to take family pictures with lots of fun photo props such as bales of hay and pumpkins. Boo in the Zoo also includes an area called Dragon Alley and Alice’s Fun House.
Normally it takes our family around an hour to go trick-or-treating through Boo in the Zoo. And, each year my kids have brought home a nice bag of treats with a variety of candy and toy items.
And, don’t forget to plan a little extra time to play on the playground at Cleveland Park (because you will probably end up doing it anyway).
2023 Boo In The Zoo Greenville Details
When Is Boo In The Zoo?
- October 18 – October 22, 2023
3 pm – 8 pm - October 25 – October 30, 2023
3 pm – 8 pm
How Do We Get Tickets?
It is recommended to purchase tickets online ahead of time. Entrances are timed, and attendance is limited each night. Walk-up tickets are available, but they cost slightly more.
*Boo in the Zoo is a rain or shine event, tickets are a final sale
How Much Is Boo In The Zoo?
Greenville Zoo Members:
$10 for Trick or Treaters | $8 for non-Trick or Treaters
General Public:
$12 for Trick or Treaters | $10 for non-Trick or Treaters
Boo Babies:
Ages 0-2, not trick or treating are free / Boo Babies that would like treats would need to purchase a Trick-or-Treating admission ticket.
Trying to comment again, my phone was being lame! We have gone previous years but we waited until it was dark thinking it would be better but I might need to try taking him earlier so we can see the animals! It was such a let down not to see them before!
If you go right around 6 it is just perfect. You can see all of the more exotic animals such as the elephants & giraffes, plus your photos are better. It will be dark though as you are finishing up though so that it is a little more spooky!
We just went to the Y Harvest Party. It was lots of fun too.
Fun! There are so many great parties and festivals this time of year!
How do you avoid the long lines? We tried to go last year and the line was all the way out to the road and we were 30 minutes early…any tips?
Sorry, for the slow response, Kim. I recommend going later rather than early. My family went at 7 pm this year and there was almost no line. Plus, it’s darker which in my opinion makes it a little bit more fun.
How do you get tickets in advance or are they just available at the door?
Great question. From the Boo in the Zoo website: Tickets go on sale September 22 at the ticket booth or on online at eventbrite.com
Are you able to enjoy the entire zoo (exhibits and such)? We want to take our daughter for her birthday, but want to make sure the zoo is all accessible. Otherwise we may chose to go earlier in the day.
Based on my experience, you will be able to walk through the entire zoo but most of the animals will be inside especially as the evening goes on. It’s a fun event, but if your main goal is to see the animals I would advise going during the day. Many of the decorations will be out even then.
I was under the impression that it also went Monday and Tuesday. So disappointed that I didn’t read the exact dates on the website. I always took mine when they were younger and my son was looking forward to going with us and taking his little girl this year….. It is a little crowded but definitely a very good tradition to start with your children that is fun and entertaining. It would be nice if they would do some weekdays in the future if possible..
what time are they doing the flash mob performances at boo in the zoo?
When is the Zoo decorated for Halloween? I would love to go to Boo In the Zoo but the dates don’t work for us. However, we went before and just loved seeing the Zoo decorated.