The 35th Annual Boo at the Zoo, presented by McDonald’s, is back and ready to deliver a ghoulish good time at this alternative way to trick-or-treat, perfect for kids, teens and families alike! With clear, fully open pathways across our event grounds, this beloved community tradition promises a smooth, spooky, and exciting Halloween celebration for the whole family 

Boo at the Zoo is set for Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Become a Zoo member and you are eligible to come in early during the members’ only hour from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Thrills, Treats, and Games

• Treats & Games: Explore the Zoo grounds and find nearly 50 different treat and carnival-style game stations. (Link to Zoo map)
• NEW THIS YEAR: The debut of “Jinxed” a limited-time virtual reality horror motion-sim ride now playing at the Wild Explorer VR Experience. This immersive VR experience takes riders on a chaotic, creepy journey through a haunted carnival, abandoned funhouse, and ghost train filled with eerie clowns and unexpected scares. The Jinxed VR experience will remain open to zoo visitors through November 20, 2026.
  • Wild Explorer VR Experience Fee: The fee is $10.00 per rider and is separate from the event admission ticket.
• Soaring Eagle Zipline at Night! Experience the ultimate Halloween thrill by riding the Soaring Eagle Zipline after dark. The ride will be specially lit up, offering a unique, exhilarating perspective high above the nighttime Zoo.
  • Zipline Fee: The fee is $15.00 per rider and is separate from the event admission ticket.
• Mermaids: The Gulf Coast Mermaids will be swimming from 5:30p.m. to 8:30 p.m.! Due to capacity, staff will limit the number of people viewing at a time.
  • Mermaids Fee: The fee is 10 game tickets or $2.50 per person.
• Fuel your family fun with a feast of tempting treats! Our Zoo concessions will be serving up classic favorites like smoky turkey legs, cheesy nachos, hot pizza, and delicious corn in a cup. Plus, cool down with refreshing sweets like popsicles and Dippin’ Dots. New this year, don’t miss our authentic, vibrant chamoyadas in four mouthwatering flavors: Chachamoy, Chandia, Chalemon, and Chamango!

Clear Pathways & Smooth Strolling!
We are thrilled to share that event pathways for Boo at the Zoo are completely clear and construction-free! As we finalize essential infrastructure upgrades across zoo grounds, we appreciate your ongoing support. You can enjoy a smooth, seamless trick-or-treating route as we pave the way for exciting future projects, including our upcoming African Savannah lion habitat and reimagined Small World.

Tickets & Admission

Tickets are available to purchase online or in-person at the Zoo ticket gate for $5.00 each.  If you purchase your ticket in advance, look for pre-paid lines in the paid parking lot.  To expedite scanning, have your ticket PDF open with the barcode showing on your mobile device or print out a copy of the PDF.  Event tickets are non-refundable and will not be replaced if lost or stolen. TICKETS

Zoo Member Tickets:  A perk of membership is free tickets to Boo at the Zoo.  We recommend picking up your tickets in advance to get quick access to the Members’ Only Hour that starts at 5:00 p.m.  When you arrive, look for the members’ line in the parking lot.  If you do not have your tickets you must enter via the Membership Office (located in the parking lot). Members must present their membership card and a valid driver’s license to pick up their free tickets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the entrances?

There will be a total of three entrances to help reduce congestion:

1. The main Zoo ticket gate for anyone needing to purchase tickets.
2. A side gate in the paid parking lot (for pre-paid admission/members with tickets).
3. The Membership Office (for members needing to pick up their free tickets).

Parking & Arrival

Parking is limited, so please plan to arrive early, carpool, or arrange for a drop-off to ensure you can enjoy the festivities without delay.  The Mitte Cultural District is very walkable; you may consider parking a little further away and walking down the Linear Park trail instead of driving around to find a close parking spot.  There are several parking lots off of 7th and Ringgold Street and several near the Federal Courthouse Building off Harrison Street. 

BTX Connect will also be offering free shuttle rides to and from the event on both nights. The service will be operating from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. Click here for a map of the shuttle route. (pending new link)

Does the Zoo provide bags for treats?

Yes, each evening we will have trick-or-treat bags while supplies last.

Does the Zoo have an ATM?

Yes, we have two ATMs: one outside the main Zoo entrance and the other outside the Zoofari Giftshop. 

How much are the games and food?

Game and food tickets are $0.25 each. Most games cost one ticket, except for the cake walk (4 tickets), face painting (3 tickets), photo booth (20 tickets), and Gulf Coast mermaids (10 tickets).  

Tickets are NOT required to purchase food, but can be used as cash to pay for food items.  Cash, credit, and debit cards are accepted at all concession stands.  New this year, game and food tickets will be accepted as a form of payment at the gift shop pop-up stand.  

(PDF of game and food ticket prices)

Why should I become a Zoo member?

Zoo membership is the best way to attend! Members get FREE admission and skip the long lines with exclusive early access at 5:00 p.m. Buy a membership online or call the Zoo at (956) 546-7187 today for membership details!

https://tickets.gpz.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=TKT&c=LM 

Community Sponsors

This event is brought to you through the generous support of our partners:

McDonald’s | H-E-B Helping Here | Chick-fil-A | Brownsville Public Utilities Board  | Whataburger | City of Brownsville | Visit Brownsville | KRGV Channel 5 | Digital 101.5 | Raising Cane’s | O’Reilly Auto Parts