Knoxville’s favorite Halloween tradition begins this weekend
October 7, 2022

BOO! at the Zoo features trick-or-treating through the Zoo, entertainment, and activities celebrating the spooky season

An evening view of Boo at the Zoo. Photo courtesy of Zoo Knoxville

KNOXVILLE -- BOO! at the Zoo, Knoxville’s favorite Halloween tradition, kicks off three weekends of spooky fun beginning Friday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 9 and continuing Oct. 13-16, and Oct. 20-23, from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. each evening. The Zoo is hosting two nights offering tickets exclusively for Zoo members and Circle of Friends members on Thursday, Oct. 6 and Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

A Halloween tradition for 36 years, this year’s BOO! at the Zoo will feature a Treat Trail with 21 treat stations, dramatic lighting, giant inflatables, and the Monster Mash dance party. Special character nights will feature popular princesses on Oct. 8, 14 and 23, Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion Midsouth Garrison on Oct. 9 and 22, and Ghost Busters on Oct. Oct. 12 and 13. Additional activities include the Scary-Go-Round and the BOO! Choo Train each evening, weather permitting. New this year are the Pumpkin Carriage zipline ride and the Oktoberfest Beer and Brats Garden at the Roaming Rhino Canteen.

Boo! at the Zoo tickets are $13 per person for ages 3 and up. Children two and under 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 members and Circle of Friends members receive a $1 discount on admission tickets. The Zoo strongly encourages online ticket purchases to ensure entry as the number of tickets available will be limited each evening to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Zoo Knoxville offers special thanks to event sponsors Accenture, Alliance Concepts, Bank of America, Chick-fil-A Knoxville, Ear, Nose and Throat Consultants of East Tennessee, Food City, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Kroger, Lee Company, Princeton Mortgage, Senior Benefit Inc., SKMES Comfort Systems USA, Tennessee Orthopaedic Clinics and Wilderness at the Smokies. Special thanks to media sponsors STAR 102.1 FM, 100.3 The Wolf FM, HOT 104.5 FM, and AWESOME 93.1 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 Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. For more information visit zooknoxville.org.