Boo at the Zoo (2026): 501st Legion Night

Experience Boo at the Zoo (2026): 501st Legion Night at Louisville Zoo in Louisville, KY.

The Empire is coming to Boo at the Zoo! On this night only, members of the famed 501st Legion will bring the Star Wars universe to life with their screen-accurate costumes featuring Stormtroopers, Sith Lords, bounty hunters and other iconic characters. Be sure to stop by for photos and unforgettable encounters with th ese fan-favorite visitors from a galaxy far, far away. Oct. 1–4, 8–11, 15–18, 22–25 & 29–30 Nightly 5–9 p.m. Exit by 10 p.m. *** Sensory Friendly Night – Oct. 7 (details below) *** *** Allergy Friendly Night – Oct. 28 (details below) *** Join us for the sweetest party in town! Boo at the Zoo features trick-or-treating for kids 11-and-under, rides, and special attractions all for one great price. A Louisville tradition for over 40 years, this party experience is designed to give you all the merry you love with none of the scary. Tickets Required Tickets on sale beginning September 1 at noon (EST) Louisville Zoo Members $8.50 Buy Online Non-members $14.25 Buy Online Age 2 and Under FREE Meijer Anytime Tickets $12.25 AVAILABLE AT PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS beginning Sept. 27 Boo at the Zoo is a rain or shine event, no refunds or exchanges. To provide you with the best experience, all tickets must be purchased in advance on our website. A ticket is required for all guests ages 3+ Guests can enter until 9 p.m. and must exit by 10 p.m. Most of the Zoo’s animals will not be viewable in the evenings so they can rest and maintain their regular schedules. Meijer tickets are valid for any Boo at the Zoo night at a discounted price. (Included with your Ticket Purchase) Spooktacular Carousel Take a spin on the carousel. Festive lighting and music are sure to get you in the Halloween spirit! Headless Horseman Journey back in time to Sleepy Hollow as you hear the famed tale of Ichabod Crane from one of the town’s guides. Don’t lose your head on this guided walk-through attraction where you can spot the legendary Headless Horseman himself! “not-so-itsy-bitsy” Spider House Come view the intricate and beautiful webs of these beneficial arachnids. This walk-through spider house lets you stroll alongside REAL free-crawling spiders and their webs without any barriers in a special guided tour. Sensory-Friendly night at Boo at the Zoo Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 (entry 5 – 7 p.m., exit by 8 p.m.) Join us for a sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience with fewer lights, lower music and smaller crowds. Tickets are very limited, be sure to purchase early to reserve your spot. More info… Allergy-Friendly Night at Boo at the Zoo Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 (entry 5 – 7 p.m., exit by 8 p.m.) This special night features peanut-free treat booths and added non-food treats like stickers, tattoos, pencils and more. More info… Costumes are welcomed but not required. Adults can join in the fun and wear costumes, but we ask that they be family friendly (not scary). Since this event caters to children, adults may NOT wear costume masks that cover their entire face. Join our Costume Contest! Each week, we’ll ask you to show off your awesome Halloween costumes for 2025 in our Facebook comments . Extra points for animal costumes and/or photos taken at Boo at the Zoo! We’ll choose one winner each week to feature on our social media and in the December issue of Trunkline magazine. Tips and Frequently Asked Questions Party Tips Party Tips You must purchase your tickets online in advance . Have your email or a screenshot of the tickets ready on your phone to show as you enter the gate. Or, if you prefer, print your tickets before you head to the Zoo to be scanned as you enter the gate. Don’t forget to bring a treat bag. Reusable cloth treat bags can be purchased at the Gift Shop for $3. 5 – 6:30 p.m. is our most popular party time. You may want to consider attending later in the evening to enjoy the twinkle lights, carved lit pumpkins and the glowing atmosphere of the Zoo at dusk! Wear comfy shoes. The trick-or-treat trail features 20 treat booths along a route that is approximately 1.3 miles long or around 3,330 steps! While we encourage you to come in costume, remember we are a family-friendly party. Adults may NOT wear costume masks that cover the entire face. The trick-or-treating route goes one way, and guests are permitted to complete one loop only. General FAQs Do guests have to be finished and leave the Zoo by 8:30 p.m.? Timed tickets are available until 8:30 p.m. nightly. The Zoo’s trick-or-treat route entrance will close at 9 p.m. and guests must exit the Zoo by 10 p.m. What about rain or cold weather? This is a rain or shine event. The cast and crew will be in place to greet you no matter the weather. Bring rain or cold-weather gear. A limited number of rain ponchos and other clothing items will be available for sale at the main gift shop. In the rare case of inclement weather, the Zoo will post any closing announcements on social media and at lousvillezoo.org . Can you see animals during Boo at the Zoo? While you may catch a glimpse of some of our animals, most of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors will not be viewable in the evenings so they can rest and maintain their regular schedules. Is Boo at the Zoo held on Halloween night? No, the last night of the event is Friday, October 30, 2026. Do regular daytime Zoo hours change? Yes. On Boo at the Zoo nights, the Zoo gates close early at 3 p.m. with guests allowed to stay until 4 p.m. This early closing allows the Event Team time to prepare for the event. The gates will reopen at 5 p.m. for Boo at the Zoo. Is smoking permitted? No. For the safety of our guests, smoking (including e-cigarettes) is prohibited anywhere on Zoo grounds during this after-hours event. Do kids have to wear costumes? No, but kids are encouraged to wear costumes to enhance the experience. Can adults wear costumes? Adults may wear costumes, but we ask that they be family-friendly, not scary. As this event caters to children, adults may NOT wear costume masks that cover the entire face . The Zoo reserves the right to ask adults to remove full-face costume masks. Is there off-site parking or a Zoo shuttle? Our nightly capacity eliminates the need for off-site parking or a Zoo shuttle. Parking is easy and convenient in the Zoo’s lot and included in your ticket price. Please do not park anywhere other than the Zoo’s parking lot or off Zoo grounds unless directed by a member of the Louisville Zoo staff. Where do we park? Is there a cost? Parking is easy and convenient in the Zoo’s parking lot and included in your ticket price. Please do not park anywhere other than the Zoo’s parking lot or unless directed by a member of the Louisville Zoo staff. Are gift shops and concessions open? Yes, some gift stands are open and will sell fun glow items, cloth trick-or-treat bags and more. Members get 10% off select items. Select concession stands will be open and selling snacks and beverages including beer, wine and frozen cocktails. Louisville Zoo members get a 10% discount. Member Discount does not apply to sale items or alcohol. Are strollers and wheelchairs available for rental? Yes, the Louisville Zoo rents strollers, wagons and wheelchairs (limited number) from the front plaza. A limited quantity of electric wheelchairs is available during Boo at the Zoo. Advanced reservations for an electric wheelchair can be made online to ensure availability. Any remaining unreserved fully charged electric wheelchairs are available on a first come first served basis. For more information and prices, click here . What other Zoo tips, and safety guidelines should I be aware of? Click here for information on Zoo policies regarding balloons, skateboards, alcohol, behavior inside the Zoo and more. Help us be “green” and bring your own treat bag or purchase a reusable bag at the Gift Shop (while supplies last). And please help make your Halloween more wildlife-friendly by buying sustainable palm oil candy. (See Sustainability section below for more info) Are tickets available anywhere other than online at LouisvilleZoo.org? Tickets are available at louisvillezoo.org. Meijer is also offering Anytime Tickets at select locations. See the Meijer section below. All other tickets are only available through the Zoo’s website, louisvillezoo.org. May I get a refund or exchange my ticket for another date if something comes up? Boo at the Zoo is a rain or shine event. There are no refunds or exchanges for this important fundraiser. Are there any discount tickets available? Corporate Ticket Club member employees can purchase discounted (night-specific) tickets online. Zoo members receive a discount on tickets. Meijer is also offering Anytime Tickets at select locations. Learn more below! Member FAQs Do Louisville Zoo members receive special pricing? Yes. Current members can purchase discounted tickets online for persons covered on the membership. We reserve the right to check member cards and photo IDs at the gate. You can also purchase extra guest tickets for non-member guests not covered on your membership at the same time (at the regular rate). Do I need to bring my membership card and photo ID even though I used my ID number to buy my ticket online? Yes. We reserve the right to check member cards and photo IDs at the gate. See Member FAQs for more general member details. Why do I need to get a ticket online for a specific night and time? Timed tickets help us manage capacities and provide for a better guest experience. A limited number of tickets will be available for each evening’s time slot. Can I attend more than one night? We invite guests and members to attend as many times as you would like. Please note that your admission includes one loop through the trick-or-treat trail. How many discount tickets can I purchase? You can purchase tickets for the number of people covered on your membership card. We reserve the right to check membership cards and photo IDs at the gate. I have a membership to a reciprocal Zoo; do I receive a discount? We do not accept reciprocal memberships for admission for after-hours or special fee-based events. We normally park for free as members. Is it also free for the Halloween Party? Parking is FREE with admission to Boo at the Zoo. Can Zoo members bring a guest? Yes, but Member guests pay full price. You can purchase these full-priced extra guest tickets at the same time you purchase your online discount tickets. Is there a separate Zoo member entrance? All visitors enter through the main gate. I have some rides included in my membership package. Are my rides included or at a discount for the Party? Carousel rides, entry to the “not-so itsy-bitsy” Spider House, and the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow are all included in admission. Attractions are subject to regular Zoo maintenance and the cooperation of weather and animals. Can I use my Family Experience Event Pass for Boo at the Zoo? The Family Experience Event pass is not valid for Boo at the Zoo and may only be used on events labeled “Member Experience Nights.” Please see more information on our website about your Experience Level Benefits . Trick-or-Treating FAQs Can adults trick-or-treat? Trick-or-treating is reserved for guests 11 and under. How many times can we go through the treat route? You may go through the trick-or-treat route one time at your leisure. Should children bring their own trick-or-treat bags? Yes, please help us be green and bring your own bags. If you forget a bag, you can purchase a $3 cloth bag at the Zoo Gift Shop on the main plaza (while supplies last). Do any of the treats you give out contain peanuts? While we make a conscious effort to include many treats that do not contain peanuts, some of those treats are made in facilities that process peanuts. If you have allergy concerns, consider attending our Allergy-Friendly Night on October 28, 2026. This special night will feature peanut-free treat booths and added non-food treats like stickers, tattoos, pencils and more. Food Get into the Halloween spirit with delicious fall favorites and spooky treats! Cool down with Apple Cider Soft Serve, Spookies ’n’ Cream Dippin’ Dots, or our Poison Apple ICEE Float—made with apple cider ice cream, green apple ICEE and caramel sauce. Don’t forget to try our Midnight Vanilla or Orange Pumpkin Spice cones, or add a spooky twist to your soft serve with sprinkles and Oreos! Or indulge in Franken Donuts—cinnamon sugar donuts served with an icing syringe—along with Monster Mash Funnel Cake, Spooky Ice Cream, Fall Popcorn and Glow Cotton Candy. From spooky sweets to fall favorites, there’s something for everyone! Drinks Keep the Halloween fun going with our spooky specialty drinks! Guests 21 and over can sip on seasonal favorites like the Fall Margarita, Caramel Apple Cider Cocktail, Nightmare on Bourbon Street Cocktail and Spiked Dole Whip. Plus, cool off with an ICEE served in our new Light Up Ghost Cup—the perfect Boo at the Zoo souvenir! (Member discounts exclude alcohol purchases.) Merchandise Take a little bit of Boo home with you! Accessorize your night with glow wands, bubble wands, hoodies, Halloween tote bags and more. Plus, Louisville Zoo members receive 10% off select items. (Member discounts exclude sale items.) Personalized Memories Make your Boo at the Zoo visit unforgettable with a Photo Pass—professional photographers capture your entrance moments, and you can view or purchase photos anytime with no obligation. Elevate your costume at Kaman’s Art Shoppe with professional face painting in just 2½ minutes. Members get 10% off photo purchases. Face paint and Henna are also available with a buy one, get one half off offer. Plus, check out our new flash temporary tattoos—sure to be a Boo favorite! Valid for any night and time of Boo at the Zoo during 2026 $12.25 per person On sale September 27, 2026 at participating Meijer locations Participating Meijer Locations - Click Here 4500 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy Louisville, KY 40299 502-493-4900 4100 Towne Center Drive Louisville, KY 40241 502-326-5200 9500 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40229 502-962-3700 9905 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY 40272 502-995-2100 2750 Allison Lane Jeffersonville, IN 47130 812-218-6600 4222 Charlestown Rd. New Albany, IN 47150 812-542-3800 2155 Paul Jones Way Lexington, KY 40509 859-264-3000 351 Meijer Way Lexington, KY 40503 859-219-3700 Candy is sweet, but… … sometimes our treats can cause serious problems in animal habitats. Learn how to make your Halloween more wildlife-friendly with sustainable palm oil candy. Autumn means Halloween, candy and partying at the Zoo! Your animal friends at the Louisville Zoo would like to remind you to check the labels on your candy and other household products for unsustainable palm oil before you purchase. Click for more information Palm oil use has some potentially scary outcomes and is pervasive — it can be found in almost everything we use! To produce it, the natural habitats of many of the world’s wonderful creatures, particularly primates like orangutans, are being destroyed. Protect our wildlife — look for sustainable palm oil products or products without palm oil. Click here for a list of orangutan-friendly candy that you can purchase with sustainable palm oil. There are many apps to assist you on the go too! One of our favorites is provided by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Just search for palm oil in the app store and look for the green orangutan icon or click here to learn more or download the app below. The Louisville Zoo event staff strives to ensure that candy given out during Boo at the Zoo is made with either sustainable palm oil or is palm oil free! Learn more about the palm oil crisis affecting Africa’s primates.

Event information from Louisville Zoo.