BOO! at the Zoo Knoxville 2026: The 40th Anniversary Halloween Event Runs Select Nights Through October 30
Zoo Knoxville's big Halloween event, BOO! at the Zoo, is back for its 40th year and it runs on select nights through October 30. If your kids like dressing up and you want a Halloween night that is more about candy and costumes than jump scares, this is worth the drive from Maryville. It is roughly half an hour up I-40.
The planning part that catches parents off guard: it does not run every night. The nights still to come are October 8-11 (so the whole weekend), 15-18, 22-24, and 29-30. October 25 is closed for a private event, so do not aim for that one. Doors open 5:30 to 9 PM, with last zoo entry at 8 PM and last trick-or-treat trail entry at 8:15 PM.
What's new this year is the HallowGlow Forest, an immersive light walk through the woods that is included with admission. Alongside that you get the Storybook Trick-or-Treat Trail with treat stations sponsored by local businesses, a Monster Mash Dance Party with a DJ, and free Halloween carnival games from corn hole to inflatable axe throwing. There is also a costume contest (snap a photo at the photo op and tag them with #CostumeContest26), a brand new Albino American Alligator on a limited run, and adoptable cats at the event.
Tickets run cheaper online than at the gate. In advance it is $15 for adults and children 3 and up, or $20 same-day at the gate. Kids under 3 get in free, members pay $5 online or $10 at the gate, and parking is free. Tickets are limited each night, and the zoo strongly suggests buying ahead online rather than risking the gate.
The zoo is at 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Bring costumes, comfortable shoes, and a phone with battery for the light forest. My crew is planning a Saturday trip; after a fall break that was a blur of errands and rain, an evening of candy and costumes sounds like the reset we need.