Santa Barbara Daytime Boo at the Zoo

October 16-31, 2026, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara, CA
$28-38, sbzoo.org

Scavenger hunt, hay maze, candy station, and costume contest at 12 p.m., parade at 12:30 p.m., spooky story time at 1 p.m., and animal encounter at 1:30 p.m. (starting Oct. 17). Plus, watch for animals enjoying pumpkins throughout the Zoo!

Santa Barbara Boo Nighttime Boo at the Zoo

October 23-25, 2026, 5 p.m.

 $22.95-37.95, sbzoo.org

When the sun goes down, Boo at the Zoo comes alive with three nights of Halloween fun for the whole family. Dress up for trick-or-treating and a costume contest, then enjoy a DJ and dance floor, animal encounters, bounce houses and inflatable slides, train rides, a photo booth, rock wall, kids hay maze, spooky stories. s'mores by the campfire and more!

Santa Barbara Zoo Adult Night

October 22, 2026, 6-10 p.m.

$32.95-37.95, ages 21+ only

Have a spooktacularly good time as the Zoo transforms. Drag queens, a DJ and dance floor, animal encounter, cocktails, food trucks, a photo booth, complimentary beer and wine tastings, a costume contest, and more.

 Halloween fun in Santa Barbara isn't limited to downtown or the fairground.

Grab your costumes and head to the Zoo for an outdoor Halloween! Discover frightfully fun decor and photo opps, all while visiting your favorite animals. Put on your costumes and head to the Zoo for an outdoor Halloween spell-ebration! Discover frightfully fun decor and photo opps, all while visiting your favorite animals.  The Spooky Zoo experience is free with Zoo admission; online reservations are required. 

What we love best about this charming zoo is the location. Just up the hill from the Pacific Ocean, the weather is some of the finest. With little ones wearing their Halloween costumes, they won't get too hot.

Annual Pumpkin Smash arrives in November. It's a smashing good time to watch the elephants, gorillas, and favorite Zoo animals get pumpkins to play and interact with.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.