ZooBoo

October 18-20
Get ready for a spook-tacular time at ZooBoo, October 18-20! Join us for a weekend full of family fun, candy, and Halloween excitement for all ages.

Every year, the Great Plains Zoo thrills kids and adults alike with ZooBoo, a Halloween extravaganza! With plenty of spooktacular fun to be had, there's something for everyone.

• Exploration of the entire Great Plains Zoo campus, with free-flowing movement!
• A trick-or-treat experience at the Zoo!
• Hundreds of painted and carved pumpkins!
• ‘Sensory Sunday’ exclusively from 9-10 AM for those with sensory needs!
• Animals are on exhibit Saturday and Sunday!

Friday, October 18

Family Fun Boo Run
Join us on Friday, October 18 for this exlusive, one-night-only opportunity to explore our haunted zoo under the stars. Let your creativity shine and get into the Halloween spirit by coming in costume! It's a night of spooky fun for the whole family all while supporting our mission to create connection and inspire conservation of wild species and spaces.

Family Fun Boo Run Schedule

• 5:30 - 6:30 pm:
  • Registration in the Plaza (everyone receives a Zoo Run race bib and glow necklace).
  • Pre-race yoga with Sioux Falls Flow & Paddle on the Primate Lawn.
  • DJ in the Plaza presented by Good Times Entertainment (5:30 - 7:30 pm).
• 6:30 pm:
  • Race begins - approximately a half-mile of marked path throughout the zoo.
• 7 - 8:30 pm:
  • Snacks (popcorn, snack mixes) and beverages (cider, hot chocolate) in the Plaza.
• 7:45 - 8:30 pm:
  • South Dakota Aerial Fire Show
• 9 pm:
  • Zoo closes for the evening (final admission at 8 pm).

Not interested in racing? We welcome you to still join us for some hauntingly fun zoo experiences like the Candy Dash, DJ Dance Party, and Aerial Fire Show! Avoid the pre-race lines by arriving after 6:15 pm!

Saturday, October 19

Sensory Saturday
Your Great Plains Zoo works to be an inclusive place of fun, education, and discovery! This year we have added an additional hour to ZooBoo to allow those with sensory processing issues to experience the event. During this time, the capacity allowed will be low. We ask that you please not reserve a ticket for this time if you don't require it to allow others that do to have a ZooBoo experience to last a lifetime!

10 am–5 pm: Regular hours with spooky fun! Trick or treat with our local vendors. Meet your favorite characters from Simply Ever After, enjoy candy, and your favorite animals!

Sunday, October 20

10 am–5 pm: Final day of ZooBoo! Trick or treat with our local vendors. More characters from Simply Ever After, candy, and more.

More event information