Saint Louis Zoo Announces Halloween Happenings for 2021

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! 

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Schlafly Art Outside Festival
Friday, September 5, 2025
Saturday, September 6, 2025
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Schlafly Art Outside is a three-day invitational art fair featuring affordable art from more than 60 artists based in the St. Louis region. Enjoy quality art, tasty food, local brews and live music. There will also be hands-on art activities at this family-friendly festival. 

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Manchester Homecoming
Friday, September 5, 2025
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Sunday, September 7, 2025

Enjoy carnival rides, a parade, kids' entertainment, live music and more at this three-day festival in Schroeder Park. 

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Kids Art Night Out
Friday, September 5, 2025
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Friday, November 7, 2025

Kids Art Night Out at Yucandu Art Studio features a new creative project each month, ranging from mosaics, to collage, printmaking, glitter, clay and more.

 

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