A child enjoying Boo at the Zoo; image courtesy of Zoo Knoxville

BOO! at the Zoo presented by U.S. Cellular® begins this weekend. Knoxville’s favorite Halloween event features 12 nights of safe and not-too-scary fun scheduled over three weekends; Friday through Sunday, Oct. 11-13 and Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 17-20 and Oct. 24-27, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. each evening. A special night exclusively for zoo annual passholders and Circle of Friends members is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

A Halloween tradition for 33 years, this family event features trick-or-treating through the zoo along the BOO! Trail in Asian Trek, the Bank of America Monster Mash Dance Party, friendly costumed characters and entertainers each night. Additional activities include the Scary-Go-Round, the BOO! Choo Train, the new Baba Yaga Haunted Forest, and camel rides. Each weekend will feature special appearances by Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion, magical princesses, and on Thursday, Oct. 24, Simon and Siouxsie from Nat Geo’s “Snake City” will be making an appearance.

Boo! at the Zoo tickets are $10 per person. Children under four are admitted free. Parking is free. Tickets are available online at booknoxville.com, by phone at (865) 637-5331 and at the zoo’s ticket office during regular zoo hours. Zoo Knoxville annual passholders and U.S. Cellular customers receive a $1 discount on admission tickets. For more information, visit booknoxville.com.

Zoo Knoxville passholders and U.S. Cellular customers can take advantage of the U.S. Cellular® Speed Pass Lane for expedited early entry into the event.

Special thanks to event sponsors U.S. Cellular®, Bank of America, Senior Benefit, Inc., Shoffner Kalthoff MES, Knoxville TVA Employee Credit Union, Great Clips, Advance Financial, Pepsico, Knoxville Police Department, Smile Doctors, Krispy Kreme, and All Occasions Party Rentals. Thanks also to media sponsors WBIR Channel 10 and B97.5 FM.

Zoo Knoxville is a nonprofit entity situated on 53 wooded acres just east of downtown Knoxville. Zoo Knoxville features exhibits of wild animals in natural habitats and is world renowned for its efforts in conservation and species survival. Zoo Knoxville is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Knoxville’s largest attraction, the zoo is open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.