Discover festive favorites–Haunt the Zoo, a unique trick-or-treating experience for families and Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up, Oklahoma’s largest Halloween party for adults 21+
This Halloween, experience something new as you Haunt the Zoo! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is excited to host the 36th annual Haunt the Zoo for Halloween, Oklahoma’s premier Halloween event. Bigger and better than ever, Haunt the Zoo provides a unique opportunity for families to connect with wildlife as they trick-or-treat through the Zoo during the day. Mark your calendars for Haunt the Zoo which spans the last two weekends in October: Saturday/Sunday, Oct. 19-20 and Saturday/Sunday, Oct. 26-27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Haunt the Zoo fans can explore the official event trail at their own pace allowing little ones to trick-or-treat along the way, collecting candy and treats from volunteers at 27 themed booths. Each of the booths are designed to be “oh so merry, not scary” with kid-friendly themes and one-of-a-kind props, making them appropriate for young ages. Guests of all ages are welcome to wear Halloween costumes to this event.
New this year, Chef David George Gordon, known as The Bug Chef, is making his Oklahoma City debut at Haunt the Zoo. Ants, crickets and tarantulas, oh my– Chef David George Gordon is bringing some creepy crawlies to Haunt the Zoo for you to eat! On Saturday, October 26, he will be sharing his exotic cuisine and creative culinary talents with Haunt the Zoo guests. From 10 a.m. to noon, Chef David George Gordon will be providing cooking demonstrations in the Zoo’s entry plaza, preparing gourmet bites and tasty treats made with real bugs as protein for Zoo guests to enjoy. The Zoo will also host a Facebook Live interview/demonstration with The Bug Chef at 12:45 p.m. Curious to learn more about insect cuisine? The Zoo’s Safari Gift Shop will have copies of Chef David George Gordon’s The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook available for purchase.
There’s more to “boo” at the Haunt the Zoo:
- “Super” size your Haunt the Zoo fun by attending a special superhero-themed Halloween sea lion presentation during this event. Sea lion presentations are daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Noble Aquatic Center. The Haunt the Zoo superhero-themed sea lion presentations will be Saturday, Oct. 19; Sunday, Oct. 20; Saturday, Oct. 26; and Sunday, Oct. 27. Admission is $4 per person and children two and under are free.
- Bling up your Halloween costume with the OKC Zoo’s newest conservation wristband featuring a bat design. Exclusive to Haunt the Zoo, this limited-edition wristband is only available for purchase through Halloween, Thursday, October 31. Wristbands are $2 each with 100% of proceeds supporting the Zoo’s conservation initiatives.
In addition to general Zoo admission, guests can purchase Haunt the Zoo trick-or-treat bags for $7 per person at the Zoo’s ticket windows on event days. Current ZOOfriends members can purchase $6 Haunt the Zoo bags in advance at zoofriends.org/htzbag. Members will be required to sign in to verify their membership status, and will be issued an e-ticket after purchase that can be redeemed at the ZOOfriends Membership Office on any of this year’s Haunt the Zoo dates. The Zoo will also offer Boo-It-All passes (all the perks of Zoo-It-All plus trick-or-treating) priced at $29 for kids/seniors, $33 for adults, or $22 for ZOOfriends members. Haunt the Zoo will be held rain or shine. To learn more about Haunt the Zoo for Halloween, click here.
Haunt the Zoo sponsor/partners-to-date include: 92.5 KOMA, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Dental Depot, First Security Bank, Frito Lay, Little Caesars Pizza, Magic 104.1, News9, Pepsi, Sam’s Club, Shipley Do-Nuts, The Children’s Hospital Volunteers, The Curbside Chronicle, Tinker Federal Credit Union, V-103 and ZOOfriends.
OKC ZOO’S SECOND ANNUAL HAUNT THE ZOO: ALL GROWN UP
Get ready for a frightfully fun night of wild and weird with the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up on Friday, October 25, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Returning for its second year, Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up is Oklahoma City’s largest Halloween party for adults 21 and older offering the opportunity to celebrate the Halloween season in the most memorable way!
It’s fun for all as the majority of the Zoo is transformed into a world of wonder, thrills and chills with live performers, light displays, music, bizarre games with prizes and more. Discover not one, but two haunted experiences including “Childhood Nightmares” at the Herpetarium and the “Forest of the Dead” at Cat Forest. Enjoy “spook”tacular foods, beer and spirits including the event’s signature cocktail, The Grave Digger available for purchase at multiple locations throughout the park. Local food trucks, including Let's Do Greek, Oh My Gogi, Yum Pig, Mission In-Pasta-Bowl and Cookie Dough To Go will be on-site. The event will feature bewitching tunes and entertainment provided by international DJ destroyers, Brothers Griiin and a specially themed sea lion presentation at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Halloween costumes are encouraged, but not required. No real or fake weapons or full coverage masks are allowed.
“The OKC Zoo is thrilled to expand this year’s “All Grown Up” and bring more fun and excitement to this fast-growing event,” said Rochelle Wilhelm, OKC Zoo’s director of guest experience and events. “We want to provide a truly unique experience that connects our guests to the Zoo in a new and memorable way.”
Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up sponsor/partners-to-date include: The Grand Casino Hotel and Resort, Tanqueray, Pepsi, The Edge and The Franchise radio stations.
Tickets for Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up are available on Eventbrite for $30 per person. This event is rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable. Food and drink are available for purchase. The Conservation Carnival costs $1 per game, and all proceeds benefit conservation.
As a conservation organization, the OKC Zoo is committed to protecting wildlife and wild places. All of the candy purchased for both Haunt the Zoo and Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up is palm-oil free or made with sustainable palm oil in support of orangutan conservation. Deforestation due to non-sustainable, palm-oil production is threatening populations of already-endangered orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Oklahoma City 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. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and by visiting Our Stories. To learn more about other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.