Inside: Tips to navigating one of Columbia’s most favorite Halloween traditions!
Are you searching for a family-friendly place to trick-or-treat and enjoy the Halloween spirit this year?
It’s time to get ready for the wildest trick-or-treating event, Boo at the Zoo in Columbia, SC! Riverbanks Zoo will host its annual “Boo at the Zoo” event from October 16 through October 30, 2026.
We have everything you need to know about Boo at the Zoo from a local mom. Your kids will have a blast dressing up in their costumes, trick-or-treating throughout the zoo, and experiencing other spook-tastic Halloween fun!
Boo at the Zoo 2026: Quick Facts
- Dates: October 16–30, 2026
- Time: 6:00–9:00 pm each night
- Where: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210
- Ages: All ages are welcome. Admission is required starting at age 2, and children under 2 are free.
- Tickets: On sale now through the Riverbanks website. Each ticket is for a specific date and arrival time. Pricing starts at $18.95.
- Parking: $6 at the gate, or $3 when you buy it online ahead of time
- Add-ons: Trick-or-Treat Dinner Party, $60 general public / $50 Riverbanks members (October 16–18 and 23–25, 6:00–8:00 pm). Haunted Hideaway igloo rental, $250 general public / $200 members, which includes six Boo at the Zoo tickets.
- Included with admission: Trick-or-treating through the zoo, Ray’s Moonlight Magic, Mummy’s Maze, and the Eeky Freaky DJ Dance Party. The Haunted Carousel and the Spooky Riverbanks Express cost extra.
- Questions: 803.779.8717
5 Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo Top Parent Tips
- Get Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo Tickets in advance.
- Don’t forget to bring your own treat bag!
- Come in costume! Riverbanks asks that adults skip full face coverings and keep costumes family-friendly. [⚠️ VERIFY: the specific costume rules are not spelled out on Riverbanks’ 2026 event page — confirm the current policy with the zoo.]
- Attend on a weekday if at all possible.
- Keep it simple and have fun!
Before you keep scrolling...
Want more ideas like this?
Spend less time searching and get fresh family-fun ideas in your inbox.
Don’t miss the Biggest Halloween Guide in Columbia! It’s packed full of Halloween events and activities in Columbia, plus spooky day trips, haunted houses, and much more!
Halloween Time at Riverbanks Zoo
Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks is one of the most popular Halloween events in Columbia. Families from all over the state come to enjoy this night of family-friendly, spooky fun. As mentioned before, this year, Boo at the Zoo will take place from October 16 to October 30 from 6 pm to 9 pm each night. If possible, we would suggest getting tickets for a weekday as Friday through Sunday nights are a bit more crowded.
Even though this event is held at the zoo, it is unlikely that you will see many animals. But the atmosphere at this event is always the best and your kiddos will be asking to come back year after year.
Get Your Tickets in Advance for Boo at the Zoo!
Tickets for Boo at the Zoo are sold online through Riverbanks, and they are on sale now. Each ticket is tied to a specific date and arrival time, so you choose your night when you buy. The best way to purchase tickets is by going online to the Riverbanks Zoo website. Please be aware that as this event gets closer, tickets will begin to go quickly and some nights will even be sold out. Be sure to plan ahead!
A note on pricing: Riverbanks has not published a general admission price for Boo at the Zoo on its event page, and the ticket store only shows the per-person price after you select a date. Children under age 2 are free, and admission is required starting at age 2. Parking is $6 at the gate, or $3 if you buy it online ahead of time.
If you want to make a bigger night of it, Riverbanks has posted prices for two 2026 add-on experiences: the Trick-or-Treat Dinner Party (October 16–18 and 23–25, 6:00–8:00 pm) is $60 for the general public and $50 for Riverbanks members, and includes a buffet dinner at Ndoki Lodge plus a Spooky Rides Pass. A private Haunted Hideaway igloo runs $250 for the general public and $200 for members, and includes six Boo at the Zoo tickets, Spooky Rides Passes, treats, and hot apple cider. Only five igloos are available.
Keep in mind that Riverbanks’ visitor information page states that all ticket purchases are non-refundable, so pick your night carefully.
Tips for Arriving
There are two “plans of action” we would suggest for arrival.
- If you plan to be there when the gates open, it is important to know that the lines will be pretty long, but this will also give you plenty of time to enjoy your night.
- If you’re not a fan of standing in lines, it might be best to arrive around 7 pm after the first large wave has entered and completed most of their fun. Either way, remember there will be a lot of people, especially small kiddos, so patience is key!
Trick-or-Treating at Riverbanks Zoo
Your kiddos will have a wildly fun night trick-or-treating through the Riverbanks Zoo! There will be several stations set up all around where you kids will be able to get plenty of treats. While this is a family-friendly event, the trick-or-treating portion is aimed at younger kids.
In my past experiences, the treat stations are well spread out which keeps lines from becoming too long. However, there are some stations, especially towards the entrance, that can get a bit congested. Helpful hint: It would be a great idea to put glow-stick bracelets and/or necklaces or even have a bright-colored trick-or-treating bag for your littles in order to spot them more easily in the crowds!
Show Off Your Costumes
If your kids are anything like my oldest, they love dressing up for Halloween. Boo at the Zoo is the perfect opportunity to let them show off their costumes! In fact, everyone, adults included, is able to dress up for this great event. Adults are asked to not wear full face coverings and be sure to keep all costumes family and kid-friendly.
Several families will be seen dressed up in matching family-style costumes and some will even display awesome decorated strollers and wagons to continue their theme. But, if that’s not your style, have no fear, there are plenty of families that don’t go all out. In fact, last year, my son ended up wearing his skeleton pajamas – which made getting home and straight into bed much easier, might I add. Do what works for you!
Dance Party During Boo at the Zoo
Towards the entrance and across from “Sea Lion Landing,” the Eeky Freaky DJ Dance Party will be set up with fun lights, fog machines, and great music! The area surrounding the DJ booth usually turns into a fun dance floor where kiddos of all ages will be seen breaking out their most spook-tacular moves.
More Things to Look Forward To
Although not all of the zoo’s regular attractions will be running during Boo at the Zoo, the Haunted Carousel and the Spooky Riverbanks Express train will be open for an additional charge. You can purchase tickets to these two rides upon arrival. The lines can become pretty long for these attractions but usually move quickly. Riverbanks also lists Ray’s Moonlight Magic and Mummy’s Maze among this year’s event highlights.
Another great thing about this event is all of the fun decorations! You will see silly Halloween blowups and fun lights on trees and over walkways that will surely get your family in the Halloween spirit. All of these decorations make for great photo-ops as well.
Riverbanks Zoo – Boo at the Zoo
500 Wildlife Parkway
Columbia, SC 29210
Boo at the Zoo FAQs
When is Boo at the Zoo 2026?
October 16 through October 30, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm each night at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden.
Where do I buy Boo at the Zoo tickets?
Online through the Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo page. Tickets are on sale now, and each one is for a specific date and arrival time, so popular nights can sell out.
Do little ones need a ticket?
Children under age 2 get in free. Admission is required starting at age 2.
How much does parking cost?
Parking is $6 at the gate, or $3 when you buy it online in advance.
What is included with admission?
Trick-or-treating throughout the zoo, Ray’s Moonlight Magic, Mummy’s Maze, and the Eeky Freaky DJ Dance Party. The Haunted Carousel and the Spooky Riverbanks Express require an additional charge, which you can pay on arrival.
Will we see animals?
Mostly no. Riverbanks notes that while you may spot a few night owls, most of the animals are off-exhibit for the evening.
What time should we arrive to avoid the longest lines?
Arriving right at 6:00 pm means a long entry line but a full evening inside. If you would rather skip the crush, come closer to 7:00 pm, after the first big wave has worked through the trick-or-treat stations. Weeknights are consistently calmer than Friday through Sunday.
Please share with us! What is your best memory from Boo at the Zoo?
Don’t miss the Biggest Halloween Guide in Columbia! It’s packed full of Halloween events and activities in Columbia, plus spooky day trips, haunted houses, and much more!
Never been to Riverbanks Zoo? Here’s what you can expect when you visit Riverbanks Zoo during the day.
Before you keep scrolling...
Want more ideas like this?
Spend less time searching and get fresh family-fun ideas in your inbox.
