'Boo At The Zoo' Returns To Saint Louis Zoo October 16

ST. LOUIS, MO — Things are about to get spooky (but not too spooky) at the St. Louis Zoo. Beginning Oct. 16, and continuing nightly through Oct. 30, the zoo will host Halloween-themed events featuring circus performers, interactive storytellers and educational stations where families can stop by to learn about some of the world's creepier-looking animals. Admission is $7 for members or $8 for non-members, and parents are invited to bring their children in costume for a $1 discount, officials said. The event promises to be a fun, non-scary Halloween experience.

The zoo will close at 4 p.m. for the duration of the ticketed event and re-open from 5:30 to 8:30 for Boo at the Zoo.

The zoo promises fun photo opportunities, including a "Puzzled Pumpkin Maze," "Witchy Walk," "Pirates' Cove," "Fragile Forest Fairyland" and more.

Three animal exhibits will be open: The Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium, Emerson's Children's Zoo and Holekamp Aqua Tunnel at Sea Lion Sound.

"Catch sight of heroes in a half shell (turtles and tortoises), observe frogs, toads and lizards maintaining their stealth camouflage and practice your Parseltounge with the snakes," zoo officials said. "For a little more hocus pocus, check out the Emerson's Children's Zoo and meet some awesome animals up close. Don't be alarmed if you discover the naked mole rats have left their costumes at home! Or catch a glimpse of sea lions and harbor seals taking a nighttime swim as you walk through the Holekamp Aqua Tunnel at Sea Lion Sound."

(For more stories like this, subscribe to Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. You can also download the free Patch app for iPhone and Android.)

Entertainment will also be provided by Babaloo, Juggling Jeff, Chef Bananas and Enchanted Events character sing-a-longs. These 20-minute acts do not feature animals, the zoo said, but do feature music, juggling, magic and comedy.

Other events include a spooky "Scare-ou-sel" and Haunted 4D Theater screening "Happy Family 4D," an animated film presented in 3-D with in-theater special effects.

And don't forget to sample fall treats at the zoo's cafe or enter the zoo's Halloween Instagram contest: just tag your photos #STLZooBoo for a chance to win tickets to upcoming attractions and a $25 zoo gift card.

Events continue for Spooky Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with animal enrichment activities, live entertainment, crafts, and games. Admission to Spooky Saturday is free.

Find more information on the event at the zoo's website, including the zoo's costume policy (no adults in costume unless you're accompanying children, and no adults with masks).

Image provided by the Saint Louis Zoo