Please note that Library Membership Passes may NOT be used for admission on Oct. 28.
The treats:
The Zoo in Forest Park's annual Spooky Safari is Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dress in costume and enjoy family-friendly Halloween fun complete with a trick-or-treat trail for kids ages 0-12*, on-site activities, crafts, music from DJ Jonny Taylor, read-alongs and appearances from some special friends! The event will also feature a virtual costume contest and discounts in our gift shop.
*Children under one who wish to collect goodies along the trick-or-treat trail must have a pre-purchased ticket. Children under one who do not want to participate in the stations are free and do not need a ticket to attend the event. Tickets go off sale on Oct. 26 or when all tickets have been sold.
THE TICKETS - Tickets are off sale
A pre-purchased, timed ticket is required to attend. No tickets will be sold at the gate on the day of the event. Participation in the Trick-or-Treat Trail is for children 0-12 with a child ticket. Guests under the age of one are free to enter unless they wish to collect goodies, in which case they must have a ticket. Tickets are sold in 30-minute increments. We ask guests to arrive within a 15-minute window of their ticket time. All guests with a ticket will be allowed to enter until 3 p.m., but may need to wait for scheduled guests to enter first. No entry will be allowed after 3 p.m. Tikets go off sale on Oct. 26 or when all tickets have been sold.
Member Ticket Prices
Adult: $8
Child (ages 1-12): $4
Child under one NOT participating in the Trick-or-Treat Trail: FREE
Senior/Military (62+ or military with proper ID): $6
To access the discounted member ticket prices you must input your member code. Your member code is the 12 digit number on the back of your member card. Email tickets@forestparkzoo.com with any questions regarding your member code or membership status.
Non-Member Ticket Prices
Adult: $12
Child (ages 1-12): $6
Child under one NOT participating in the Trick-or-Treat Trail: FREE
Senior/Military (62+ or military with proper ID): $8
*Ticket sales are limited and end 10/26 or when all tickets are gone. Library Membership Passes may NOT be used for this event.*
THE COSTUME CONTEST:
Come in costume for a chance to win prizes in our Virtual Costume Contest! It's easy to enter - just snap a photo while at the event and post it in the comments of our Virtual Costume Contest Post on our Facebook page (@TheZOOinForestPark). A panel of judges from The Zoo in Forest Park will select a winner for Funniest, Most Creative and Best Group Costume. Prizes will be awarded to each winner!
The Spooky Pumpkin Hunt
Twelve felt pumpkins have been hidden around The Zoo in various enclosures and it's up to you to find them! A pumpkin on an animal's informational sign will indicate that one of the pumpkins is inside that enclosure. Snap a photo of three pumpkins and submit them via the Google Form for a chance to win a prize.
Submit your photos via the Google Form here for a chance to win a gift card to Batch Ice Cream and four tickets to The Zoo in Forest Park for the 2024 season.
The Goblin grain cones:
Interested in feeding our little goat goblins? Don't forget to add grain cones to your purchase when buying your tickets! Grain cones are restricted to 200 total and can only be purchased online with your tickets. (Limit two per family). Grain cones are sold on a first-come, first-purchased basis and cannot be purchased at The Zoo the day of the event; this is to prevent our animals from overeating. We thank you for understanding.
REFUND AND RAIN DATE POLICY:
All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be offered.
We do ask you to please stay home in the event of an illness. In the event of an illness, a Zoo voucher for the amount paid will be issued to the buyer.
This event is rain or shine. In the event of severe weather or heavy rain on Saturday, October 28, the event will be moved to the rain date of Sunday, October 29. All tickets will be moved to the same time slot on Sunday.
***By purchasing tickets to this event you acknowledge the possibility of an October 29th event in the case of severe weather or heavy rains and that no refunds will be offered if the rain date is utilized.***
PARKING your broomstick:
The City of Springfield charges a fee of $3/in-state and $5/out-of-state plates CASH ONLY to enter the park. This fee is not managed or collected by The Zoo and is not covered by the price of your ticket. There is no fee to enter the park on bike or foot.
