John Ball Zoo Goes Boo returns this weekend through Nov. 1 with 13 treat stations

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Families looking for a costume-friendly Halloween outing can start this weekend at John Ball Zoo, where Zoo Goes Boo returns across three weekends through Nov. 1, the zoo said in an Oct. 12 announcement.

Dates are Oct. 16–18, Oct. 23–25 and Oct. 30–Nov. 1. Members can enter an hour early, at 9 a.m.; general admission hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The zoo says activities and character appearances can vary by day, so it asks guests to check the event calendar before leaving home.

Thirteen treat stations are spread through the grounds. Costumes are encouraged for all ages, but full face masks and costume weapons are not allowed. Seasonal entertainment may include magicians, fire dancers, face painting and other performers; the zoo does not guarantee any particular character meeting.

Allergy-friendly options are available at booths marked with teal pumpkins. Guests can ask for a special token and redeem it at a designated specialty booth, the zoo said.

The zoo is at 1300 W. Fulton Street. It recommends buying tickets in advance, wearing layers for changing October weather and bringing a bag for treats. Candy at the event comes from companies committed to sustainable palm oil, the zoo said, as part of its conservation messaging.

Admission supports the zoo’s animal care, education and conservation work. Check jbzoo.org for tickets, maps and any day-of changes.

Sources:
John Ball Zoo, “Halloween Event: Zoo Goes Boo Back at John Ball Zoo,” Oct. 12, 2026, https://jbzoo.org/2026/10/12/halloween-event-zoo-goes-boo-back-at-john-ball-zoo/
John Ball Zoo, event calendar, https://jbzoo.org/event-calendar/
Photo: WMrapids, “John Ball Zoo entrance.jpg,” Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/), cropped and color-adjusted, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Ball_Zoo_entrance.jpg

Grand Rapids

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