The Smithsonian's National Zoo is once again splitting its October calendar into two very different Halloween parties: a family-friendly Boo at the Zoo running October 16 through 18, and the 21-and-older Night of the Living Zoo on October 23. Both events promise costumed crowds, themed entertainment and after-hours access to exhibits that are normally closed once the sun goes down in Rock Creek Park.
Tickets for both nights are already for sale through the National Zoo website, and as WTOP News reports, the family event welcomes visitors of all ages and encourages guests to show up in Halloween costumes. General admission for Boo at the Zoo runs $35 per person, with Smithsonian National Zoo members paying a discounted $29.75, according to Northern Virginia Magazine. Admission is required for every guest over the age of two.
Members got first crack at tickets starting August 20, ahead of the general public sale that opened August 27, per the same outlet's reporting. That early window comes with a perk during the event itself too: members receive early entry from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 16, the first night of the run, according to WTOP.
What's New at Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo runs each night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and includes more than 25 trick-or-treat stations scattered around the grounds, themed entertainment, photo opportunities, indoor exhibit access and a commemorative tote bag, per WTOP's rundown of this year's offerings. Special food will also be available for purchase throughout the evening.
This year's edition adds a new pumpkin patch photo setting, along with extra paid rides on the Speedwell Conservation Carousel and the National Zoo Choo Choo, according to KidFriendly DC. Food vendors and rides operate throughout the evening for families looking to extend the outing beyond the trick-or-treat stations.
Parking is available on-site but comes at a premium: passes cost $30 when purchased in advance and jump to $40 on the day of the event if space remains, per Secret DC. Those passes are nonrefundable and sold separately from event admission, so early planning can save attendees real money at the gate.
Night of the Living Zoo Goes Adults-Only
A week after the family festivities wrap, the zoo flips the script with Night of the Living Zoo on October 23, open exclusively to guests 21 and older. Running from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., tickets cost $75 for nonmembers and $63.75 for zoo members, according to WTOP's coverage of the event lineup.
The adult party packs in circus acts, face painting, DJs, D.C.-area bands and eight bars spread across the grounds, per the same WTOP report. Secret DC adds that the ticket price includes unlimited beverages, tarot and “Zoostrology” readings, plus exclusive after-hours access to the Great Cats and Reptile Discovery Center exhibits between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Flash tattoos and food are available for an additional charge.
Costume rules apply across both events for safety reasons: full-face masks and prop weapons or weapon-like accessories are strictly prohibited, Northern Virginia Magazine notes, with those safety policies extending to all of the zoo's after-hours special events.
A Zoo With Fresh Star Power
This year's Halloween lineup follows the public debut of two new giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, who arrived from China and went on view at the National Zoo in January 2025, as reported by CBS News. Washington had gone without giant pandas for more than a year after the previous bears returned to China in late 2023, making the pair a significant draw for the 163-acre zoo, which was founded in 1889 in Rock Creek Park and is home to more than 2,100 animals representing nearly 400 species.
General daytime admission to the zoo remains free year-round, but the after-hours Halloween events are ticketed separately, with proceeds supporting animal care, scientific research and global wildlife conservation initiatives managed by the zoo, according to the Southern Maryland Chronicle. Federal funding covers the zoo's base operations, but conservation programs lean on event and donor support to keep running.
Both Halloween events rank among the Washington region's most popular fall attractions, with admission tickets and parking passes historically selling out weeks in advance, the Chronicle reports. Demand reportedly stretches well beyond the District, pulling in visitors from Maryland and Virginia suburbs eager to secure a spot before the calendar turns to October.
