Boo at the Zoo Stretches to Five Weekends of Costumes, Candy and Pumpkin Feedings

PHILADELPHIA — Boo at the Zoo is bigger than ever this year. For the first time in its more than 20-year history, the Philadelphia Zoo’s Halloween celebration runs five full weekends, from Oct. 3 through Nov. 1, plus Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The event runs 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31 and Nov. 1. Activities are included with zoo admission or membership, according to the zoo.

Costumed guests can trick-or-treat throughout the zoo, with costume contests at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each event day. Costumes with toy weapons and adult masks are prohibited.

New for 2026 are Cryptic Creatures, featuring insects and snakes tied to legends like the Jersey Devil; the Trick-or-Tree House inside the historic 1876 Tree House, with an extra candy station and tarot readings; and the SEPTA PZ Boo Choo Train, according to PhillyVoice.

The animal stars get into the spirit too. Scheduled pumpkin feedings include hippos chomping giant pumpkins Saturdays at 2 p.m., bears at 10 a.m., giant tortoises at 11 a.m. and Ossabaw Island hogs at 2:30 p.m., with big cats, orangutans and gorillas featured Sundays.

The zoo’s canopy of 1,500 trees is expected to hit peak fall color in mid-October, and the Pherris Wheel offers views over the canopy from 10 stories up, according to PhillyVoice.

“Autumn is such a special time at the Zoo,” president and CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman said. “Our animals become more active in the cooler weather and enjoy the pumpkin harvest, our canopy of 1,500 trees transforms our campus into one of the best spots for leaf peeping in the city, and of course, there will be plenty of candy and costumes around every corner.”

Seasonal treats include an apple cider bar, pumpkin-spiced hot chocolate and a pumpkin cheesecake parfait. All candy stations participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, offering prizes so children with food allergies can join the trick-or-treating.