PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

The Detroit Zoo’s annual “merry-not-scary” Zoo Boo celebration returns this Halloween season, featuring a festively decorated half-mile trick-or-treat trail through the front of the Zoo. Presented by Beaumont Children’s, Zoo Boo takes place Oct. 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23, 2016, 5 to 8 p.m., rain or shine.

Elaborate pumpkin displays line the treat trail, where greeters hand out goodies to costume-clad children at treat stations along the route. Guests are asked to join the Detroit Zoological Society on its green journey by bringing their own trick-or-treat bags; bags are not distributed at the event.

Live entertainment includes street performers, extreme pumpkin-carving demonstrations and the popular mini-musical, “Zoo Boo Revue”. A trail of eerie fog leads through a spooky graveyard to the Haunted Reptile House, where friendly witches, vampires and other monsters take up residence for the Halloween season. The Creepy Craft tent, sponsored by Blue Care Network of Michigan, includes the opportunity for kids to color some of their favorite Zoo animals on a 16-foot mural.

Zoo Boo guests can take a ride on the wild side on the Carousel, sponsored by Meijer, for $2 per person; children under 3 years old or 42 inches tall ride free with a paying adult.

Advance tickets for Zoo Boo can be purchased at Window One at the front of the Detroit Zoo or online at www.detroitzoo.org/events/zoo-boo. Tickets are $9 per person for ages 2 and older; children under 2 are admitted free. Advance-sale time slots for Zoo Boo are 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. time slot will only be sold at the gate, which closes for entry at 8 p.m. If a date and time slot is not sold out, a limited number of tickets may be available at the gate that day for $13. Walk-up tickets will only be sold between 6:45 and 7:45 p.m.

Beaumont Children’s experts have provided a number of tips to help families enjoy a safe and happy Halloween at www.beaumont.org/zoo-boo.