{"id":63334,"date":"2025-10-14T11:30:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T16:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/?p=63334"},"modified":"2025-10-14T11:30:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T16:30:31","slug":"a-halloween-tradition-continues-as-boo-at-the-zoo-returns-to-brookfield-zoo-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/?p=63334","title":{"rendered":"A Halloween Tradition Continues As Boo at the Zoo Returns To Brookfield Zoo Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The spooky season fun has officially begun! Gather your little ghosts and goblins for our family-friendly\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldzoochicago.cmail20.com\/t\/i-l-zlikkjd-iyltkdhylu-r\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BOO! at the Zoo<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0fall fest, running now through Friday, October 31. Don&#8217;t forget, Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers free general admission to all guests on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout October and November (except Thanksgiving Day). Make a plan to visit and read on for more details on all the thrills that await you at Brookfield Zoo Chicago!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"824\" src=\"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Boo-map-1024x824.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63335\" srcset=\"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Boo-map-1024x824.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Boo-map-300x241.jpg 300w, http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-Boo-map-768x618.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Experience the Zoo like never before this Halloween season!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>All BOO! Long:<\/strong>\u00a0Stroll through the Zoo festively decorated, enjoy Halloween-themed food and drink, trick or treating in select retail locations, and see your favorite animals in a whole new light.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weekends Only:<\/strong>\u00a0The fun comes alive with special activities! Enjoy extra trick-or-treating locations, FREE inflatables,\u00a0a magician, and other thrilling surprises that will make your visit unforgettable.<br><strong>Sundays Only:<\/strong>\u00a0Don\u2019t miss our NEW BOO! at the Zoo Art Fair, where creativity meets spooky fun.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with the whole family \u2014 don&#8217;t miss the frightful fun!\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Activities&nbsp;Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>11 a.m. &#8211; 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>10:30 a.m. &#8211; 5 p.m. Saturdays &amp; Sundays\u00a0<\/strong>Inflate-a-BOO! \u2013 Free inflatables available for children aged 3-10. Located across from Pachyderm building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>11 a.m. &#8211; 1 p.m.<\/strong>\u00a0Creatures of the Night info tables\u00a0\u2013 Saturdays only. Located near The Carousel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.<\/strong>\u00a0Costume parades\u00a0\u2013 Weekends only. Located in the East Mall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>11 a.m. &#8211; 5 p.m.<\/strong>\u00a0Pumpkin decorating*\u00a0\u2013 Weekends only. Located in the East Mall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>11 a.m. &#8211; 5 p.m.<\/strong>\u00a0Trick-or-Treating (North Gate Market, South Gate Market, and Living Coast Gift Shop \u2013 Daily.\u00a0East Mall\u00a0\u2013 Weekends only. )<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>11:30 a.m. &#8211; 1:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/strong>Magician \u2013 Weekends only. Located in the East Mall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Owl crafts at Hamill Family Play Zoo\u00a0\u2013 Weekends only, while supplies last<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disney Channel Halloween Bags \u2013 Pick up a free bag on your way into the Zoo, Fridays through Sundays\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Magical Pumpkin Seek-N-Find \u2013 Enter to win magical prizes from Disney On Ice &amp; Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Take a stroll around The Carousel and locate six Encanto themed pumpkins.<br><br>*<em>Additional fees apply<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63336\" srcset=\"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0.jpg 480w, http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Join us at BOOs &amp; Brews!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fear not: Zoo After Dark: BOOS &amp; Brews returns on Saturday, October 25!&nbsp;This 21+ evening features a lively costume contest with fabulous prizes, a high-energy&nbsp;dance party featuring DJ Nurotic, pumpkin decorating, and up-close encounters with animal ambassadors. You better run &#8230; to get your tickets before they&#8217;re gone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BOO! at the Zoo is Back!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get into the spirit of spooky season at BOO! at the Zoo, packed with festive fun, not-so-scary thrills, and wild adventures for all ages! All October long, we&#8217;ll have Halloween-themed food and drinks available for purchase, plus we&#8217;ll have daily trick-or-treating around the Zoo. And, your weekends at BOO! at the Zoo will include:<br><br>\ud83c\udfa9 Magician shows<br>\ud83c\udf83 Pumpkin decorating<br>\ud83c\udf88&nbsp; Free Inflata-BOO! play area for children aged 3-10 (Fridays-Sundays)<br>\ud83e\udd87 Zoo Chats on bats, sea lions, eels &amp; more<br>\ud83c\udf83 Pumpkin enrichment to animals<br>\ud83c\udfa8 Art Fair (Sundays)<br>\ud83c\udfb6 Live music (October 18-19)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out all the info, plus a detailed map, at the button below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldzoochicago.cmail20.com\/t\/i-l-zlikkjd-iyltkdhylu-t\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BOO! AT THE ZOO<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Haunted Walking Tours<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As twilight falls, come see a different side of Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Hear the tales of those who have experienced eerie and unexplained events. This tour will walk through the southwest side of the Zoo and talk about its haunted history, phobias that unsettle us, and how understanding nature can sometimes explain supernatural encounters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This limited-time tour takes place on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays in October at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale, so get yours today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldzoochicago.cmail20.com\/t\/i-l-zlikkjd-iyltkdhylu-d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HAUNTED WALKING TOURS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>JINXED VR Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With spooky season comes the return of&nbsp;virtual reality 4D theater show&nbsp;<em>Jinxed<\/em>: an eerie carnival coaster simulator with dips, drops &amp; thrills. Jinxed is now available through October 31; visit our VR theater located just north of The Living Coast, near the west playground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldzoochicago.cmail20.com\/t\/i-l-zlikkjd-iyltkdhylu-h\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VR EXPERIENCES<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"561\" src=\"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_0263-Kartik-9da176d842a33d8f.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63337\" srcset=\"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_0263-Kartik-9da176d842a33d8f.jpg 900w, http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_0263-Kartik-9da176d842a33d8f-300x187.jpg 300w, http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_0263-Kartik-9da176d842a33d8f-768x479.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Band\u00a0Schedule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Saturday, October 18, 2 p.m. &#8211; 4 p.m.:<\/strong>\u00a052<sup>nd<\/sup>\u00a0Street: Tribute to Billy Joel\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sunday, October 19, 2 p.m. &#8211; 4 p.m.:\u00a0<\/strong>Hello Weekend<br>\u00a0BOO! MenusFrom spooky treats to chilling eats, we have a wide selection of BOO! at the Zoo special menu offerings located throughout Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Cup and Cone, Roaring Oven, and The Grove will offer specialty treats daily throughout October, and the East Mall&#8217;s funnel cake station will be open weekends throughout October.\u00a0<br>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookfieldzoo.org\/custom.czs\/files\/07\/07080191-5f7a-45f0-a6fc-ec63d139a0fd.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VIEW MENUS<\/a><\/strong><br>Zoo Chat Schedule<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Saturdays &amp; Sundays, October 4-26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><ul><li><strong>11:00 a.m.\u00a0<\/strong>Bats &#8211; Australia House<\/li><li><strong>11:30 a.m.<\/strong>\u00a0Herps &#8211; Feathers &amp; Scales\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>12:00 p.m.\u00a0<\/strong>Guam kingfisher &#8211; Tropic World Asia<\/li><li><strong>12:15 p.m.<\/strong>\u00a0Sea lion &#8211; Sea Lion Cove<\/li><li><strong>2:00 p.m.\u00a0<\/strong>Primates &#8211; Gorilla Conservation Center inside Bramsen Tropical Forests<\/li><li><strong>2:15 p.m.\u00a0<\/strong>Mexican wolf &#8211; Regenstein Wolf Woods<\/li><li><strong>3:00 p.m.\u00a0<\/strong>Eel &#8211; Living Coast<\/li><li><strong>3:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/strong>White-bellied pangolin &#8211; Habitat Africa! The Forest<br><br><em>Zoo Chats Brought To You By<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ferrara.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/em><br>\u00a0Pumpkins to Animals Schedule<\/li><li><strong>Saturday, October 4:\u00a0<\/strong>10:30 a.m. Brown bears; 2:30 p.m. African painted dogs<ul><li><strong>Sunday, October 5:\u00a0<\/strong>10:30 a.m. Sloth bears; 2:30 p.m. Kangaroos<ul><li><strong>Saturday, October 11:\u00a0<\/strong>10:30 a.m. Goats; 2:30 p.m. Rodrigues fruit\u00a0bats<\/li><li><strong>Sunday, October 12:\u00a0<\/strong>10:30 a.m. Polar bears; 2:30 p.m. Echidnas<ul><li><strong>Saturday, October 18:\u00a0<\/strong>10:30 a.m. Gorillas; 2:30 p.m. Dwarf mongooses<\/li><li><strong>Sunday, October 19:\u00a0<\/strong>10:30 a.m. Brown bears; 2:30 p.m. Mexican wolves<\/li><li><strong>Saturday, October 25:\u00a0<\/strong>10:30 a.m. Sand cat; 2:30 p.m. Red river hogs<ul><li><strong>Sunday, October 26:\u00a0<\/strong>10:30 a.m. Rhino; 2:30 p.m. Lemurs<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><br>Event RulesTo ensure a fun and safe environment for all attendees, please keep the following in mind when choosing your costume:\u2022 Costumes must be appropriate for all ages. Please avoid any themes, language, or imagery that could be considered offensive, overly scary, or inappropriate for children.\u2022 Real or fake weapons of any kind (including toy guns, swords, knives, or props that resemble weapons) are not permitted.\u2022 Guests over the age of 13 are not permitted to wear full-body costumes with their heads covered at any time. This is to avoid confusion with Brookfield Zoo Chicago costume characters and for the safety of all guests and animals.<em>Please note, all BOO! at the Zoo activities are weather-dependent, and schedule\/programming is subject to change.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The spooky season fun has officially begun! Gather your little ghosts and goblins for our family-friendly\u00a0BOO! at the Zoo\u00a0fall fest, running now through Friday, October 31. Don&#8217;t forget, Brookfield Zoo [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":63338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,39,20],"tags":[887,1779,1780,1570,199,733,369],"class_list":["post-63334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","category-music-news","category-reviews","tag-887","tag-boo-at-the-zoo","tag-brew-at-the-zoo","tag-brookfield","tag-chicago-music-news-live-venue-interviews-reviews","tag-halloween","tag-illinois"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63334","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=63334"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63334\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63339,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63334\/revisions\/63339"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/63338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=63334"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=63334"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=63334"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}