The Oklahoma City Zoo is marking its 43rd year of Haunt the Zoo with a brand-new trick-or-treat trail winding through Expedition Africa, running October 10 through October 31, 2026. The event pairs Halloween trick-or-treating with animal viewing, a costume parade, seasonal food and decorated photo booths, and this year's addition lets guests collect treats while passing views of giraffes, lions, zebras and other African animals along the way.
Weekend trick-or-treating runs Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to The Journal Record. The Oklahoma City Zoo event listing says the candy trails run through October 25 and also plans a limited nighttime celebration with trick-or-treating on October 30. Guests need both daily zoo admission — or a ZooFriends membership — and an official Haunt the Zoo treat bag to take part, and only 2,500 of those bags are sold per event date, per the zoo's event listing.
What a Treat Bag Buys, and Where the Money Goes
Treat bags cost $10 each, or $9 for ZooFriends members, the same pricing The Journal Record reported ahead of this year's event. The zoo says $1 from every bag sold goes toward conservation efforts, including the Sri Lanka Elephant Project, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Fundesgua. Kids collect treats from event volunteers stationed along the candy trails as they make their way through the zoo grounds.
The event is presented by Oklahoma's Own News 9 and keeps several staples from past years alongside the new Africa trail. The zoo's listing describes trick-or-treating along a path lined with photo props and activities, plus a costume parade scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged, though the zoo prohibits fake weapons and full-face masks at the event.
How This Year Compares to Past Seasons
The 2026 event follows a similar format to earlier years but with some changes. A 2024 report from KOKH FOX 25 described that season's trick-or-treat weekends running from October 5 through 27, with bags starting at $8, or $7 for zoo members — lower prices than this year's $10 and $9 rates. That earlier season also featured Halloween decor, photo booths and animal feedings alongside the usual sightseeing; this year's expanded programming includes animal viewing.
Zoo Seeks Volunteers for Candy Stations
The zoo is also recruiting volunteers to help run Haunt the Zoo, with openings for individuals, families, civic groups, school groups and corporate groups. Volunteers distribute candy and assist with activity stations at themed spots throughout the event, according to the zoo's volunteer page. Haunt the Zoo volunteers must be at least 14 years old, and anyone younger than 16 needs to be accompanied by an adult.
