Boo! at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Boo! at the Zoo is Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s family Halloween run, and it is included with regular admission. According to the organizer, the 2026 dates are October 3 through 25, with the zoo open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on weekends. Weekend trick-or-treating runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at stations around the grounds, and costume parades step off at noon and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The rest of the lineup, per the zoo: pumpkin enrichment sessions where animals get to tear into jack-o’-lanterns, keeper chats, character meet-and-greets, the Dinosaurs Wild show with baby dinosaur puppets, Inflate-A-Boo (free inflatables for ages 3 to 10) and Halloween-themed food. Pumpkin decorating is ticketed separately, per a September 2026 Shaw Local roundup, which also lists 4 p.m. Haunted Walking Tours for ages 13 and up on select dates October 4 through 31.

Admission prices vary by date and are sold online; members enter free. Parking is $17 at the north (main) gate and $20 at the south gate, according to the zoo’s ticket store, and every transaction carries a $3 fee.

Plan your visit

The zoo is at 31st Street and First Avenue in Brookfield, about 14 miles west of the Loop. Metra’s BNSF line stops at Hollywood (Zoo Stop), a five-minute walk to the south gate, and Pace buses 304 and 331 stop at the north gate. Drivers use First Avenue from I-290 or I-55. Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. are the crush, when the trick-or-treat lines are longest; weekday afternoons are nearly empty. Buy admission and parking online to skip the gate line. Bring a candy bag, a costume that works over a jacket, and a stroller for the long loops between exhibits.