ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo: A Family Guide for 2026

Halloween costumes deserve more than one night out. ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo gives kids another chance to dress up, collect candy and meet Halloween characters, with animal visits and pumpkin-smashing elephants along the way. The emphasis is on playful Halloween fun, making this a good option for families who prefer their October outings light on scares.

ZooBoo dates, hours and admission

ZooBoo runs Wednesdays through Sundays, Sept. 23–Nov. 1, 2026.

• Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays: 2–7 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays: 2–9 p.m.
• Mondays and Tuesdays: No ZooBoo activities.

ZooBoo is included with regular zoo admission and free for members. Rides, animal feedings and food purchases cost extra. Standard parking is $10 for nonmembers and free for members.

The zoo opens at 9 a.m., so you can arrive before the Halloween activities begin to spend more time visiting the animals. Check tickets and zoo hours when choosing your visit date.

Costumes and trick-or-treating

Costumes are encouraged. Masks and full face paint are permitted for children 12 and younger only. Bring a bag for the Trick-or-Treat Trail. All eight candy stations are in Plains, so you can collect treats in one section of the zoo before moving on to other activities.

ZooBoo activities around the zoo

The activities below are included with admission, except the rides.

• ZooBoo Village and Leeward Manor: Meet sisters Terra, Wisp and Bubbles at the Bicentennial Pavilion, where their Aunt Clara Voyant uses a magic tree to help children discover their animal match.
• Elephant Pumpkin Smash: Watch the elephants stomp, smash and snack on giant pumpkins. Lark Ranch presents the pumpkin smash.
• Potions Show: Magnificent Mixie or Professor Pumpkin leads a potions class in the Potions Pathway near the chimpanzee complex.
• Mirror Maze: Work your way through the reflections in this Meijer-sponsored maze.
• Pirates Cove: The shipwrecked Boney Scute crew is recruiting near Oceans. Kids can test their skills at pirate-themed games.
• Halloween rides: The Round-Go-Merry carousel runs backward, while the Spook-Tack-Ular Train Ride takes families behind the scenes. Both close at 7 p.m., including Fridays and Saturdays. Ride fees apply.

Treats for grown-ups, too

Adults can purchase wine from Daniel’s Vineyard and cocktails at ZooBoo Brews in ZooBoo Village.

Related article: Halloween Brewfari: Adult-Only Night at the Indianapolis Zoo

ZooBoo Bites: Halloween food and treats

ZooBoo Bites, presented by Red Gold, is a Halloween menu available for purchase from 2 p.m. to close on ZooBoo days. The menu includes:

• Pavilion Café, at the entrance to ZooBoo Village: Graveyard Nachos ($13.50) with black tortilla chips, green cheese and ground beef, or a Spooky Hoosier Slider with fries ($12). The slider has spicy pork tenderloin and jalapeno ketchup, worth knowing if your child prefers mild food.
• Café on the Commons, between Kangaroo Crossing and Deserts: Midnight Burger with fries ($15) on a black bun with American cheese, or Wicked Loaded Tots ($13.50) with shredded chicken, green cheese, ranch and barbecue sauce.
• Dippin’ Dots in front of Kangaroo Crossing: Halloween options include Spookies N’ Cream, Cotton Candy Cobwebs, Rainbow Spell, Banana Shipwreck, Scarecrow Cookie Dough and Haunted Fudge.

Vegetarian versions of the nachos and loaded tots are available. The official menu links to allergen information.

Kitten adoptions with IndyHumane

Meet adoptable kittens at Black Cat Curios in ZooBoo Village. Applications open Sept. 23, and adopted kittens go home after ZooBoo ends.

Planning your family’s ZooBoo visit

• Start with the animals if they’re a priority. Arriving before 2 p.m. gives you time for exhibits before the candy stops begin. Animal availability varies with weather, care needs and the season.
• Fit rides in before 7 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the carousel and train close before ZooBoo ends. Plan those stops first if you’re arriving in the evening.
• Leave room for layers under the costume. Much of the visit is outdoors, and an afternoon that starts warm can turn chilly after sunset. A costume that fits over long sleeves or a jacket gives you options.
• Budget beyond admission. Factor in parking, rides and any meals or treats you plan to buy.

Sensory-friendly ZooBoo dates

Sensory-friendly hours are 2–7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Wednesday, Oct. 28. Music and lighting are adjusted throughout the zoo. The dolphin presentation keeps its lights on while lowering the sound, and a calming room is available in the Hix Institute across from Oceans.

Sensory bags and lap pads are available to borrow at no charge. You can request sensory bags at the Visitor Service Center on any visit, not just these two dates. See the zoo’s accessibility information for details.

ZooBoo tickets and event details

Visit the official ZooBoo page for tickets and event updates. The Indianapolis Zoo is at 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.