Brookfield Zoo Boo! at the Zoo & Other Fall Zoo Activities (Updated 2024)
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is introducing new events (and bringing back your old favorites) this fall, including a vibrant celebration of Hispanic heritage, family-friendly Halloween festivities, and a 21-and-over-only after-hours event that will be a scary good time.
Hispanic Heritage Fest | Saturday, September 21, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Head to Brookfield Zoo Chicago for Hispanic Heritage Fest on Saturday, September 21. This new event will include vibrant live music, various tasty Hispanic dishes, cultural performances, and more — all included with your regular zoo admission.
Plan to enjoy a full day of celebration and exploration at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. DJ Fire will play festive music all day, and performances at the East Mall will start at 10:00 a.m.
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Full Hispanic Heritage Fest Line Up:
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Ballet Folklórico de Chicago at 10:00 a.m.
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Grupo Folklórico Venado at 10:45 a.m.
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Ballet Folklórico Sones Mexicanos at 11:30 a.m.
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La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón at 1:00 p.m.
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Daniel Ochoa at 2:00 p.m.
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Trabuco Salsa Band at 3:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family to the Hamill Family Nature Plaza for bilingual and Spanish-language story times, music, and games throughout the day.
Storytime with Maywood Public Library at 10:30 a.m.
Storytime with Berwyn Public Library at 11:15 a.m.
Storytime with Chicago Public Library - Back of the Yards Branch at 12:00 noon
Kids music with Brookfield Zoo Chicago Education & Community Engagement at 12:45 p.m.
Lotería game with Lyons Public Library at 1:30 p.m.
Storytime with local author Virginia Martinez Adventures with Abuela at 2:15 p.m.
While you’re exploring the tasty Hispanic dishes at East Mall food locations, engage with community groups and vendors, including U.S. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García, Illinois State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya, Family Focus – Cicero, Family Focus – Nuestra Familía, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, Old National Bank, Los Amigos Books, Oak Street Health, PCCCArts, ¡Viva! Los Libros, and Latinos Homeschooling.
Look for signs around Brookfield Zoo Chicago highlighting the natural ranges of the zoo animals in Spanish-speaking countries and regions worldwide. Participate in animal experiences and Zoo Chats offered in Spanish, in English with Spanish support, or through dual-language presentations. The Cicero Community Collective will provide support for Spanish interpretation at this event.
Hamill Family Wild Encounters — Llamas and Eastern Screech Owls at 11:00 a.m.
Feathers and Scales — Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake at 11:30 a.m.
Sea Lion Cove — California Sea Lions at 12:15 p.m.
King Scholars: Moving Chats (Amur Leopard to Snow Leopard) at 12:45 p.m.
Living Coast Plaza — Andean Condor
Living Coast — Rays & Sea Turtles at 3:00 p.m.
Dolphins in Action* at 4:00 p.m.
*Additional fees apply
Oktoberfest | Saturday, September 28, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Let’s all raise a glass and shout “Prost!” at Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Oktoberfest, presented by Leinenkugel. Once again, the East Mall will be filled with the oompah-pah-pah of live polka bands and partygoers savoring a traditional menu of bratwursts, sausages, pretzels with beer cheese, and plenty of German and local craft beer. Zoo exhibits and family activities will be open, so you can stroll the park and enjoy a unique blend of animals and ales. Entry to Oktoberfest is free with general zoo admission.
Boo! at the Zoo | Saturdays and Sundays, October 5–20, 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Watch out for wicked witches, ghostly goblins, creepy crawlers, sneaky skeletons, and little monsters at Boo! at the Zoo. This eerie event held at Brookfield Zoo Chicago on October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20 is fun for all ages, filled with thrills, chills, tricks, and plenty of treats. Although there is no costume contest, you’re encouraged to get creative and strut your stuff. There is a children’s costume parade in Discovery Center Plaza at 12:30 p.m. every day during Boo! at the Zoo and Sweet Treat Stations at retail locations throughout the zoo. (Note: to avoid confusion and ensure everyone’s safety, no guests over 13 are allowed in the zoo in full-body costumes with their heads covered.) Entry to Boo! at the Zoo is free with general zoo admission; some activities require an additional fee.
BOO! at the Zoo activities include Frightening Photo Op Spots (perfect for families) with giant inflatables, photo frames, and peekboards around the zoo, including a fun Howl-O-Scenes photo op spot at the Nature Stage, plus pumpkin decorating at the Beer Garden*, rides on the Creepy Carousel*, virtual reality 4D theater show Jinxed (a spooky carnival coaster simulator with dips, drops, and thrills*), and an Inflate-a-Boo inflatable zone for kids ages 3-10*.
*Additional fees apply
Regular activities are held each day during Boo! at the Zoo, including a Magician at Nature Plaza between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and a schedule of special animal feedings called Pumpkins to Animals and Zoo Chats. All activities are weather-dependent, and schedule/programming is subject to change.
Pumpkins to Animals Schedule
October 5
Capybara at Pachyderm House at 10:30 a.m.
African Painted Dogs at Habitat Africa! The Savannah at 2:30 p.m.
October 6
Sloth Bears at Big Cat Walkway at 10:30 a.m.
Mexican Wolves at Wolf Woods at 2:30 p.m.
October 12
Nigerian Dwarf Goats at Hamill Family Wild Encounters at 10:30 a.m.
Rodriguez Fruit Bats at Australia House at 2:30 p.m
October 13
Polar Bears at Great Bear Wilderness at 10:30 a.m.
Echidna at Australia House at 2:30 p.m.
October 19
Gorilla at Tropic World at 10:30 a.m.
Mongoose at Habitat Africa! The Savannah at 2:30 p.m.
October 20
Brown Bears at Great Bear Wilderness at 10:30 a.m.
Mexican Wolves at Wolf Woods at 2:30 p.m.
Special Zoo Chats are held daily during Boo! at the Zoo.
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Bat Chat at Australia House at 11:30 a.m.
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Herps Chat at Feathers & Scales at 11:30 a.m.
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Prairie Chicken and Crane Chat at North American Prairie Aviary at 12:00 noon
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Sea Lion Chat at Sea Lion Cove at 12:15 p.m.
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Wolf Chat at Wolf Woods at 2:15 p.m.
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Sting Ray Chat at Living Coast at 3:00 p.m.(Sundays only)
Zoo After Dark: Boos & Brews | Saturday, October 19, 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Have a frighteningly fun time at Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s new 21-and-over after-hours Zoo After Dark: BOOs & Brews event. Come dressed in costume and enjoy wicked music, eerie animal experiences, themed costume contests, chilling food and drinks, and more spooky fun and games. Bring your friends or fly solo and enjoy a night you’ll never forget. (Note: creative costumes are encouraged, but face and head coverings aren’t allowed at this event.) Entry to Zoo After Dark: BOOs & Brews is $40 and includes after-hours zoo admission and event parking. Choose an all-inclusive drink ticket for $100, and you’ll get everything included in general admission plus a limited-edition BOOs & Brews cup and unlimited drinks from the All-In BOOs & Brews drink menu. Some BOOs & Brews activities require an additional fee.
Join the DJ Halloween Dance Party on the East Mall, get a bird's eye view of the zoo on the Ferris Wheel, and enjoy a costume contest — the winner takes home a spooky prize! You’ll find photo booths and photo op spots for selfies, a glitter and henna bar, and lawn games. Stop by the beer garden for “sip and paint” pumpkin decorating, visit with nocturnal Animal Ambassadors around the zoo, and (trick or) treat yourself to an enchanting underwater dolphin viewing experience and an exclusive specialty food and drink menu at East Mall food locations.
BOOs & Brews takes place rain or shine; no refunds or exchanges are available. Event location and programs are subject to change. Animal buildings and zoo space outside the event space will not be open late for guests during this event. Animal buildings will close at 5:30 p.m., and zoo grounds will close at 6:00 p.m. It is recommended that guests arrive between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. for this event.
Visiting Brookfield Zoo
Operated by the Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo Chicago is known worldwide for its role in first-class animal care and wildlife conservation. As one of Chicagoland’s most popular attractions and one of the best zoos in the country, Brookfield Zoo Chicago is the perfect place for a memorable day with family and friends. The zoo attracts visitors from all over the world for its innovative design and amazing residents — more than 3,400 animals of over 500 species from around the globe. The zoo gained international attention for using moats and ditches instead of cages to contain animals. It was also one of the first in the country to exhibit giant pandas and home to the nation's first fully indoor dolphin exhibit and the first fully indoor rainforest simulation.
The zoo is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some special events extend the hours.
Buy your tickets today at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
There is so much to see and do at the zoo; it’s worth more than one visit. Many opt to become zoo members and visit multiple times a year. Various membership packages are available to meet the needs of individuals and families.
Basic — includes zoo admission and parking at the main entrance.
Plus — includes basic benefits plus tickets to attractions you choose.
Unlimited — includes basic benefits plus admission to all attractions on every visit and parking at both entrances.
Every member receives:
Free admission for one year
Free parking for one vehicle at the main entrance (1st Ave. and 31st Street)
Member discounts on selected attractions inside the zoo
Publications including member emails and Gateways, the quarterly member magazine
Restaurant discounts
Education program and special event discounts
Get a Brookfield Zoo Chicago Membership Today
Getting There
A staple of family fun for generations, Brookfield Zoo Chicago is located at 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street) in Brookfield, Illinois, about 14 miles outside Chicago’s Loop. It takes less than 30 minutes via I-290 W or I-55 S via car or ride share. The Metra commuter line delivers visitors from Union Station to Riverside’s Hollywood (Zoo Stop) in 35 minutes.