The San Diego Zoo returns with HalGLOWeen for the ninth year in a row. Starting Oct. 3 and running through Oct. 31, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, families can enjoy an immersive, glittering, glow-in-the-dark annual Halloween extravaganza at the Zoo after dark.
From Halloween snacks to the specialty evening experiences, this “all fun” and “no frights” Halloween spectacle has something for wildlife lovers of all ages. As the sun sets and Halloween begins, attendees can enjoy several special activities, entertainment, costumed characters, live music and Halloween decor.
Zoo members are eligible to attend an exclusive HalGLOWeen preview night on Friday, Oct. 2, and receive access to all the HalGLOWeen events a day early.
There are plenty of events to choose from. Here’s a sampler:
The Zoo Boo Crew will greet guests upon their entrance. The crew will take photos with guests as they trek on their afterdark adventures through the park. Guests can meet beloved Zoo characters like Dr. Harry and friends, dressed in their Halloween finest. The Boo Crew will be available for 30-minute meet-and-greets at 5, 6, 7, and 8 p.m. on Front Street.
At the Front Street Stage, the Skeleton Band, a live rock and pop band, will play Halloween hits “that have your bones rattlin’ to the groovy, ghouly tunes,” according to the San Diego Zoo. The Skeleton Band will perform for 30 minutes at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m.
In Centennial Plaza, to the left of Front Street, guests can partake in Boolahoops, a glow-in-the-dark, hula-hooping dance party with interactive games and prizes. Each dance party will last 30 minutes and will happen at 5, 6, 7, and 8 p.m. Dr. Zoolittle’s Tricks and Treats, also in Centennial Plaza, is a live 30-minute show featuring wildlife trivia and interactive activities; performances will take place at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m.
In Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, located near Centennial Plaza, the Zoo’s wildlife care teams will introduce guests to “spooky” featured creatures; presentations will last 30 minutes and will take place at 5:15, 6:15, and 7:15 p.m. in Rady’s Presentation Area in Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.
From High above Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, acrobatic spider performers will show their skills, weaving webs through the night sky. The Spider’s W.E.B. will perform continuously from 5 to 9 p.m. at Desert Dunes in the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., every 10 minutes, the Glow-Gos will take over the Busy Bee Patio in Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. This animated, neon-colored pumpkin group will sing original songs and tell silly jokes to guests as they roam through the park.
Out in the outback, guests can enjoy a “kooky wildlife-themed specialty act” of the Spooky Revue, according to the San Diego Zoo. This specialty glow-in-the-dark acrobatic act will last 20 minutes and take place at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. at Sydney’s Grill. After the show, guests can head to the Boardwalk Beer Garden to hear a haunting performance by The Dusty Keys. The “eerie, silly, and talented organist” will take the stage for 45 minutes at 5, 6:05, 7:10 and 8:15 p.m., according to the San Diego Zoo.
For a touch of tradition, the Día de los Muertos Mariachi will take the stage at Sabertooth Mexican Grill in the Elephant Odyssey. The talented entertainers will perform for 30 minutes at 5, 6, 7, and 8 p.m.
To top off an evening of Halloween fun, guests can also enjoy special seasonal spooky treats such as the Booey Gooey Brownie Sundae at Hua Mei Cones, Ghost Pockets at Panda Pagoda and Coffin Crawler Dog at Rocks Box.
For adults searching for some liquid courage to get through the fright-filled park, the Bamboo Bar will serve a specialty slushie margarita called The Chum Bucket. Alberts restaurant will also serve a plethora of alcoholic and non-alcoholic spooky specialty beverages.
For guests looking to become part of the HalGLOWeen experience, children 11 and younger may dress in full costume, as long as they adhere to the Zoo’s costume policy, which can be viewed at zoo.sandiegozoo.org/sites/default/files/2021-10/HalGLOWeen_CostumePolicy_2021.pdf.
Guests 12 and older cannot wear full costumes but may incorporate subtle Halloween themes in their outfits, such as headbands or themed shirts, as long as they follow the Zoo’s standard dress code. Full masks, items resembling employee uniforms and toy weapons, such as swords or lightsabers, are strictly forbidden for guests of all ages.
During the entire month of October, children age 11 and under, accompanied by a ticketed adult, are granted free admission to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Each ticketed supervising adult may be accompanied by up to six children during the zoo’s “October Kids Free” event.
HalGLOWeen festivities are free with paid admission to the Zoo or a membership. For information about events offered at HalGLOWeen and to purchase tickets, visit zoo.sandiegozoo.org/halgloween.
Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a paying adult while visiting the Zoo or Safari Park. Regular operational hours of the San Diego Zoo are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. During HalGLOWeen, the Zoo will stay open until 9 p.m., with special events planned for this family-friendly, glowing after-dark event. The Safari Park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on weekends.
Maps of the San Diego Zoo can be picked up upon entry or can be viewed at sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/11-01-25_Zoo%20Map_web.pdf.
