OKC ZOO CONNECTS FANS TO WILDLIFE AND TRICK-OR-TREATING FUN WITH THE 41ST ANNUAL HAUNT THE ZOO FOR HALLOWEEN, TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

Haunt the Zoo is Oklahoma’s place to trick-or-treat, Saturdays and Sundays, October 5-27, and celebrate the Halloween season! Event tickets on sale now.

 

Fantasy creatures, adventure, and nature bring the Haunt the Zoo scene to life at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. Haunt the Zoo for Halloween, presented by Oklahoma’s Own News 9, is one of the OKC Zoo’s most-loved annual events. Now in its 41st year, Haunt the Zoo is a festive and safe trick-or-treating experience surrounded by the wonder of the Zoo’s animal family.

Haunt the Zoo returns for eight days, Saturdays and Sundays, October 5 through 27. Trick-or-treating is available each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. General Zoo admission or ZOOfriends memberships plus official Haunt the Zoo treat bags are required to trick-or-treat and must be purchased in advance. Trick-or-treat bags are $8 each or $7 for members and will sell out so visit www.okczoo.org/htz to reserve your bag now.

“Haunt the Zoo is an event tradition like no other and we look forward to sharing it with the community each year,” said Jenna Dodson, OKC Zoo’s event manager. “Watching families and friends become enthralled with the Halloween season and trick-or-treating together, combined with the excitement of exploring the Zoo, is what Haunt the Zoo is all about.”

Candy seekers will set out to traverse the Haunt the Zoo trail, collecting treats and tasty snacks from friendly volunteers. Themed photo booths, elaborate decorations, wild props, and pumpkins galore adorn the trail, providing perfect photo opportunities. Only official Haunt the Zoo trick-or-treat bags will be accepted for collecting candy. Adults and kids alike are invited to wear their Halloween costumes during Haunt the Zoo. For the safety of our guests and staff, full face masks and costume weapons are prohibited.  

The OKC Zoo is committed to conserving our planet’s resources, wildlife, and wild places and is a proud member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). RSPO encourages companies to make sustainable differences for animals like orangutans and tigers and their habitats. All treats distributed as part of Haunt the Zoo are made with certified sustainable palm oil. For a shopping guide on Halloween candy makers who are members of the RSPO and contributing to wildlife conservation by using certified sustainable palm oil click here.

Haunt the Zoo Tips and other October Happenings

 

  • Haunt the Zoo tickets are on sale now at www.okczoo.org/htz.
  • General Zoo admission or ZOOfriends memberships plus official Haunt the Zoo treat bags are required to trick-or-treat and must be purchased in advance.
  • Guests of all ages can purchase treat bags to trick-or-treat.
  • OKC Zoo Attractions Available: Make your Haunt the Zoo outing even sweeter and experience a Zoo experience. Feed a giraffe or flamingo, take a spin on the Endangered Species Carousel, or go all out with an animal Wild Encounter, and more! Zoo attractions are available dependent upon weather and animal cooperation. For a complete list of Zoo attraction visit www.okczoo.org/plan_your_visit.
  • OKC Zoo’s Annual Pumpkin Drive: Gather some gourds for a great deal with the OKC Zoo’s annual Pumpkin Drive! From Saturday, September 28 through Friday, October 4, guests bringing a pumpkin larger than their heads to the Zoo during regular hours will receive half off admission on day of visit. Limit one discount admission per person. Donated pumpkins will become Haunt the Zoo décor.

 

The OKC Zoo is looking to build its volunteer “boo crew” and recruiting groups and individuals to give their time and talents to help with Haunt the Zoo. Volunteers are needed to distribute goodies to trick-or-treaters and assist at the candy stations. Event volunteers must be 14 or older. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This opportunity is ideal for individuals, families and groups. To learn more about volunteering or to sign up visit, www.okczoo.org/volunteers-for-special-events.

Haunt the Zoo dates are Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6; Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13; Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20; and Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27.

2024 Haunt the Zoo sponsors to-date include presenting sponsor, Oklahoma’s Own News 9, Andy B’s, Aurora Pediatric Dentistry, Bank 7, Express Employment International, Frito Lay, Heartland, INTEGRIS Health Children’s, Kroger, Love’s Travel Stops, Primrose School, Sam’s Club, Soccer Shots of OKC, and Tinker Federal Credit Union. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available, providing excellent marketing, community support and volunteer opportunities. To learn more, contact jstanley@zoofriends.org. 

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Official trick-or-treat bags are required to receive Halloween treats and cost $8. each or $7 for members.

Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, X, Instagram, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Become an everyday Zoo explorer with a 12-month, ZOOfriends Membership Passport to the OKC Zoo. Membership passports are available for one to 10 people and provide general admission year-round and exclusive offers while