The OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden sends this information as posted below:
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Haunt the Zoo for Halloween continues to provide a unique and safe trick-or-treating experience for generations of Oklahomans and this year’s no exception with new festive decorations and, of course, more sweets and treats! Presented by Oklahoma’s Own News 9 and Homeland, Haunt the Zoo for Halloween is one of the Oklahoma City Zoo’s most-celebrated annual events, combining fall favorite activities with the wonder of the Zoo’s animal family, and tickets are available now at www.okczoo.org/htz.
Haunt the Zoo occurs Saturdays and Sundays, October 4 through 26. 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 $10 each or $9 for members and will sell out, so advance reservations are encouraged and can be made at www.okczoo.org/htz.
“The Halloween season has become our favorite time of year with the excitement of Haunt the Zoo,” said Jenna Dodson, OKC Zoo’s event manager. “It’s wonderful to see families and friends engaging with our volunteers and trick-or-treating together while being in awe of the wildlife and beautiful landscape around them.”
Trick-or-treaters will collect treats and snacks from friendly volunteers along the Haunt the Zoo trail located around and inside the Children’s Zoo presented by Primrose Schools. Only official Haunt the Zoo trick-or-treat bags will be accepted for collecting treats. Guests of all ages are encouraged to get in the spooky season spirit and wear costumes, but please note we do not allow costumes with full-face masks, weapons, or balloons and nothing too scary.
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 has been bringing Oklahomans together in a memorable way for over four decades thanks to the incredible support of our community. We’re grateful to all the sponsor partners and dedicated volunteers committed to helping us bring this fan-favorite event to life year after year,” said Oklahoma City Zoo’s Executive Director/CEO, Dr. Dwight Lawson.
For a special Halloween treat, the OKC Zoo is offering a Haunt the Zoo night for ZOOfriends members only on Friday, October 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. This exclusive Haunt the Zoo night includes trick-or-treating, a dance party, themed scavenger hunt, costume characters, and more! Tickets are $23 each with an official Haunt the Zoo treat bag or $13 for general admission at www.okczoo.org/htz and must be purchased in advance.
Haunt the Zoo Treats and Tips!
- New Teal Treat Option! There will be a teal treat option on the candy trail for participants with food allergies. Trick-or-treaters may request a teal treat ticket to be redeemed for a non-food item at the end of the trail. One non-food item per ticket.
- Teddy Bear Clinic presented by OU Health on Saturday, October 4: Young guests can bring their favorite stuffy for a check-up from the Zoo’s veterinary care team at the OU Health Teddy Bear Clinic at the Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital on Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free with admission.
- An event with a purpose, $1 from each Haunt the Zoo event bag sold benefits the Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation initiatives supporting Monarch butterflies, Texas horned lizards, gorillas, Asian elephants, and more!
- Smile, click a pic, repeat! Haunt the Zoo’s festive, Halloween-themed props provide the best backdrop for photo memories. Discover the displays near the Herpetarium and along the Zoo’s Lakeside.
- OKC Zoo Attractions Available: Make it a “boo”rrific Zoo visit with one-of-a-kind attractions like giraffe or flamingo feeding, 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.
- 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 to participate in collecting candy.
Join the Haunt the Zoo “boo crew” and volunteer! 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 register, click here.
Haunt the Zoo 2025 dates: Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5; Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12; Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19; and Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26.
2025 Haunt the Zoo sponsors to-date include presenting sponsors, Oklahoma’s Own News 9 and Homeland, and supporting sponsors Andy B’s Bowl Social, Bob Moore Subaru, Coca-Cola, Continental Resources, Express Employment International, Frito Lay, INTEGRIS Health Children’s, Joe Midgett, Kroger Delivery, Lawrence H and Ronna C Davis, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Metro Mark Real Estate, OU Health, Primrose Schools, Sam’s Club, and Tinker Federal Credit Union. Discover year-round sponsorship opportunities with the OKC Zoo, providing excellent marketing, community engagement and volunteer opportunities. To learn more, contact jstanley@zoofriends.org.
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, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. The Zoo’s regular daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Avoid the entry lines and purchase advance Zoo admission tickets online at okczoo.org/tickets. General admission is $20 for adults and $17 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, Instagram, and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Zoo more with a ZOOfriends membership! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission for 12-months, plus additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming, and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership.
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