For St. Louis families, it's not Halloween without trunk-or-treats, Halloween jokes from your neighborhood trick-or-treaters, and Boo at the Zoo. What's become a Halloween tradition is back, and – bonus! – so are Halloweekends and Zootoberfest. Outdoor fun will abound this October at the Saint Louis Zoo, so be sure you make plans – and reservations – early for your family's favorite Halloween fun.
Boo at the Zoo: This annual favorite includes more than two weeks of nightly spooktacular fun for your little ghouls and goblins, and it's kid-friendly and non-scary, so go ahead and bring your toddlers and preschoolers. You'll enjoy festive Halloween-themed decorations all around the Zoo, strolling entertainers, stages shows, and special food and drink items to celebrate the season. And family-friendly costumes are welcome, although Boo at the Zoo is not a trick-or-treating event.
Bring your camera and look hauntingly good for those spooky selfies and family pics. More details about specific attractions will be made available soon, but it's a good bet that your Zoo visit will include plenty of creepy-crawlies and ghoulishly fun characters.
Boo at the Zoo is open nightly October 15-31 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Admission price varies from $8.95 to $11.95 depending on the date and membership status, but kids under 2 are free. Advance online tickets are required. Look for the ticket link to post soon at stlzoo.org
Halloweekends: Looking for daytime fun at the Zoo? Visit during Halloweekends, where you'll find free, fall- and Halloween-themed fun for three weekends. Halloweekends feature Pumpkin Stomp 'n' Chomp enrichment treats for the animals (pumpkins are courtesy of Eckert Farms), unique, non-scary Halloween decorations for photo opportunities (#Halloweekends), fall-themed food for purchase, and all of your favorite Zoo attractions. Free, timed-ticket reservations are required, and are available 7 days prior to your visit. Halloweekends will be held October 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get more details and make reservations at stlzoo.org
Zootoberfest: Enjoy a new take on Octoberfest at the Saint Louis Zoo's Zootoberfest. This family-friendly Zootoberfest includes all the fun of the zoo, including your favorite animals, with German-inspired food for purchase, canned and bottled brews for adults and root beer for kids, and fall-themed activities for kids. Festive German-themed music will be broadcast throughout the Zoo to put you in the perfect mood to celebrate! Free timed-ticket reservations are required for all guests to visit the Zoo and Zootoberfest. Zootoberfest is happening Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 2 and 3, and Oct. 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get more details at stlzoo.org.
For all Zoo fall fun, masks/face coverings are required indoors for all guests, including those who are vaccinated. Guests who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks/face coverings both indoors and outdoors. All events are primarily outdoors. Regulations are subject to change based on recommendations and guidelines from the St. Louis City Department of Health and CDC. Learn more about the Zoo's mask policy at stlzoo.org/visit/frequentlyaskedquestions.
Photos courtesy of the Saint Louis Zoo.
See our Things To Do calendar for even more Halloween 2021 fun!
Get our daily Family Fun newsletter and you'll get a handy, quick-to-read list of the day's events sent to your inbox every morning.
Bring your babies and toddlers to this free story time at the Missouri History Museum.
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Grandparents Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and mealtime. Storytelling in the Museum is free.
Is it time to potty train your toddler? The St. Louis County Library is offering Potty Training 101 to parents of children ages 2-3. This free workshop for parent and child includes a potty-themed storytime, and parents & caregivers will receive information to get them started on the potty training process. Attendees will also receive a potty seat, step stool, training pants and a potty-themed board book.
Tiny Trekkers is a weekly nature-based program for preschoolers (ages 3-5) at the Nature Institute. Preschoolers explore the nearly 500 acres of preserves through hands-on experiences out in nature. Kids stomp through creeks, use nets to catch and observe insects, taste edible plants, and learn about the natural world.
Visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park and see a star show to experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere. Star shows are lead LIVE by one of the Planetarium's educators, creating a new and tailored experience for every audience.