The Great Plains Zoo campus will be closing at 3 pm (final admission at 2 pm) on 10/15 & 10/16 in preparation for ZooBoo.
Zooboo
Zooboo 2026
October 15-18
Explore the entire Great Plains Zoo campus with free-flowing trick-or-treat stations, unique decorations, and plenty of photo-ops!
Skip the lines and start the fun early with Early Access tickets! Early access grants you exclusive entry to ZooBoo 1-hour before general admission for just $6 more! Plus, kids age 2-12 will receive a FREE tote bag to haul their treats in. Early Access tickets sold separately and are NOT included with Monarch Membership. EARLY ACCESS TICKETS ARE LIMITED.
SFZA works to be an inclusive place of fun, education, and discovery! This year we have added a sensory day on Sunday, October 18 to allow those with sensory processing issues to experience the event. Sensory day will still have all the ZooBoo fun with a lower capacity and less noise. In an effort to ensure those with sensory sensitivities have a ZooBoo experience to last a lifetime, we ask that you please not reserve a ticket for this day if you do not require it.
ZooBoo Tickets will be available soon.
Zooboo Schedule
Thursday, October 15
5 - 9 pm
- 5 pm: ZooBoo open to Early Access ticket holders
- 6 pm: ZooBoo open for general admission
- 5 - 7 pm: Siouxland Renaissance Association in the Plaza
- 5 - 8:30 pm: Live DJ near Penguins
- 5 - 8:30 pm: Scary Stroll presented by GoodTimes Entertainment
- A Halloween Experience for Big People & Brave Little People
- 2026 Theme: Strange Creatures
- 5 - 9 pm: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
- 8 pm: Final admission
- 9 pm: ZooBoo closes
Friday, October 16
5 - 9 pm
- 5 pm: ZooBoo open to Early Access ticket holders
- 6 pm: ZooBoo open for general admission
- 5 - 8:30 pm: Live DJ near Penguins
- 5 - 8:30 pm: Scary Stroll presented by GoodTimes Entertainment
- A Halloween Experience for Big People & Brave Little People
- 2026 Theme: Strange Creatures
- 6:30 - 7:15 pm: Zombie Dancers near Penguins
- 5 - 9 pm: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
- 8 pm: Final admission
- 9 pm: ZooBoo closes
Saturday, October 17
10 am - 9 pm
- 10 am: ZooBoo open for general admission
- 10 am - 7 pm: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
- 10 am - 2 pm: Live DJ near Penguins
- 10 am - 2 pm: Scary Stroll presented by GoodTimes Entertainment
- A Halloween Experience for Big People & Brave Little People
- 2026 Theme: Strange Creatures
- 2 - 5 pm: Characters by Simply Ever After
- 5 - 7:30 pm: Live DJ near Penguins
- 5 - 7:30: Scary Stroll
- 7:45 - 8:30 pm: SD Aerial Show on Primate Lawn
- 8 pm: Final admission
- 9 pm: ZooBoo closes
Sunday, October 18
10 am - 5 pm
- 10 am: ZooBoo open for general admission
- MendIt 605's 3D Printed Butterfly and Giraffe Giveaway (while supplies last)
- 11 am - 3 pm: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
- 10 - 11 am: Crafts at Snow Monkeys
- 10:30 am: Animal Meet & Greet
- 11 - 11:30 am: Juggler
- 12 - 3 pm: Characters by Simply Ever After
- 2 - 2:30 pm: Juggler
- 3 - 4 pm: Crafts at Snow Monkeys
- 3:30 pm: Bookworms in the Education Classroom
- 4 pm: Final admission
- 5 pm: ZooBoo closes
New! Scary stroll
A Halloween Experience for Big People & Brave Little People
2026 Theme: Strange Creatures
Presented by Good Times Entertainment
Strange Creatures: A Night Beyond the Great Plains Zoo
Dare to step into this new Halloween experience for big people and brave little people, where twisted foliage, eerie shadows, and unsettling mysteries transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. As reality begins to unravel, every turn brings new surprises in this immersive adventure.
Strange Creatures Schedule
- Thursday, October 15: 5-8:30 pm
- Friday, October 16: 5-8:30 pm
- Saturday, October 17: 10 am-2 pm & 5-7:30 pm
Please note: Strange Creatures is an immersive Halloween experience featuring suspenseful themes, frightening scenes, and live actors. While there is no age restriction, the experience is designed with teens and adults in mind. Parents and guardians are encouraged to use their discretion when deciding if the experience is appropriate for younger guests.
know before you go
Sensory Sunday
Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) works to be an inclusive place of fun, education, and discovery. This year we have made Sunday, October 18 'Sensory Sunday' to allow those with sensory processing issues to experience ZooBoo. During this time, the capacity allowed will be low, the Carousel will run without music from 10 am-3 pm, and MendIt 605 will be on-site giving away 3D printed butterfly and giraffe fidget toys (while supplies last).
We ask that you please not reserve a ticket for Sunday if you do not require it so that others that do can have a ZooBoo experience to last a lifetime!
Costume Guidelines
While we want everyone to have a fun experience and feel free to express themselves, we value safety and offer a family-friendly environment for all. Please read our guidelines below:
- No inflatable costumes as they can agitate animals.
- Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be offensive or violent in nature.
- Costumes may not contain any sharp or jutting objects that could harm other guests.
- Adults may wear costumes, but we ask that they be family-friendly.
- SFZA reserves the right to ask adult to remove costume masks.
Did you know that all candy distributed at ZooBoo 2026 is palm oil sustainable?
Palm oil, which is grown in tropical rainforests, is an ingredient in many types of candy. The uncontrolled clearing of rainforests for palm oil plantations has led to the widespread loss of habitats for endangered species, including Orangutans and Siamang Gibbons.
Do your part to preserve wildlife by purchasing candy that is palm oil free, or made with sustainable palm oil. View our handy candy guide here.
