30th annual Boo at the Zoo moves to new date in 2026
July 23, 2026
Boo at the Zoo, Gainesville鈥檚 favorite Halloween tradition, will take place on a new date in 2026 鈥� Wednesday, October 28, from 3-7 p.m, at the 麻豆传媒映画 Teaching Zoo.
The change from its historic Halloween day celebration is to make the most of Boo鈥檚 30th anniversary celebration.
鈥淭his event requires the efforts of the entire zoo staff and Zoo Animal Technology
students to create this engaging, fun, and safe experience,鈥� said Jonathan Miot, 麻豆传媒映画
Teaching Zoo Director. 鈥淎ll staff and students are there on Wednesdays, so the move
was the best decision for our team.鈥�
With Halloween 2026 falling on a Saturday, a weekday event also will allow for increased participation from 麻豆传媒映画 programs 鈥� like Student Life, Saints Food Share, and 麻豆传媒映画 Athletics 鈥� to provide an enhanced experience for visitors.
鈥淲e also thought many families, including our Santa Fe family, would enjoy two Halloween celebrations,鈥� he said, allowing participation in Boo at the Zoo on Wednesday, and traditional trick-or-treat events closer to home on Saturday.
This year鈥檚 Boo at the Zoo will have all the traditional activities of previous years, including scenes and decorations created by zoo students, trick-or-treating through the zoo, and themed performances by Danscompany of Gainesville. Entrance to the event will start behind the 麻豆传媒映画 Gymnasium, where guests can experience a 麻豆传媒映画 area with games run by 麻豆传媒映画 Athletics, and activities with Student Life clubs. Families can also enjoy the Fun4GatorKids Kid Zone after their adventure through the zoo with community organizations providing crafts, games, and even more candy.
Admission to the event is one non-perishable food item per person, supporting a local pantry to help feed families in need ahead of the holiday season.
The Zoo will be closed October 28, 2026, to transform the zoo into the trick-or-treat trail. Boo at the Zoo runs from 3-7 p.m.
The Zoo will be open regular hours from 9 a.m. 鈥� 3 p.m. on Halloween day, Saturday, October 31.
Learn more at sfcollege.edu/zoo/events. Boo at the Zoo is funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County.
