presents
The "World's Largest Halloween Party!"

October 9-11, 15-18, 22-25 and 28-30 
Enter from 5 until 8:30 p.m.

Be Seen. Not Scared.
If scary is no fun for your little one, then don’t miss the sweetest party in town. Join us for an evening of not-too-scary Halloween fun for the whole family with costumed characters and fanciful storybook scenes throughout the Zoo. Plus there’s trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under.

Special ticket required for all guests,
age 3 and older including Zoo Members:
$8 per person (at the Zoo)
$7-7.50 (online)    BUY TICKETS HERE
$6.50 (at area Meijer stores  Click for locations)

Important New Information

• All non-Zoo members age 3 and older are required to purchase a special ticket to attend any of the 14 nights of the Party.

• Zoo Members (and persons covered under their membership) may enter free on these select nights (Oct. 9-11, 15-18) and must purchase a ticket for other nights.

• Click here for a message to members from the Zoo Director.

More Details:   

• PLEASE NOTE: The Zoo closes early for the Halloween Party. Admission gates close at 3:00 p.m. (exit by 4:00 p.m.)

• Parking is $5 at the Zoo OR take advantage of free parking and shuttle bus service from Derby City Field.

• BRING YOUR OWN BAG! Kids! PLEASE help us be "green" this Halloween by bringing your own Trick-or-Treat Bag to the Zoo for this event.

• The HerpAquarium will be open during the Party.

• Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Halloween Party.

Special dates to note:

October 10, 17 and 24: New York Life Insurance Company will host a Safety ID station for kids and give away free safety ID kits to families.

October 22 & 23: PNC Grow Up Great Mobile Learning Adventure will be at the Zoo front entrance to take a free photo of your child in costume.

October 29 & 30: Meijer Mobile Virtual Playground will greet kids at the Zoo front entrance for an extra special treat before you enter the Halloween Party.

Sponsored by

Councilman Jim King District 10

Contributing Sponsors

	Carnes and Setzer Transportation
	Wolter Chiropractic	Philpott Hay Co.
	STAGE ONE

Click here for sponsorship opportunities.

Please Note: For their health and safety, most of the Zoo’s animals are not on exhibit during “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” While some of them have the choice of being outside to greet party-goers, for most of them it is healthier to follow their typical evening routine and settle inside for the night at the normal time.

For everyone's safety and because this event is geared to families with young children, we do not allow adult guests 18 and older to wear masks during "The World's Largest Halloween Party!" presented by Meijer.

Halloween Party FAQs

General FAQs

Can you see the animals during "The World's Largest Halloween Party!" at the Louisville Zoo?

Most of the animals are off exhibit according to their regular night time schedules. The HerpAquarium is open during the event.

Is the Halloween Party held on Halloween night?

No, the last night of the party is October 30. We are closed on Halloween night.

Do kids have to wear costumes?

Kids are encouraged to wear costumes but they are certainly not required.

Can adults wear costumes?

Adults may also wear costumes but we ask that they be family friendly (not scary). And since this event caters to small children, adults may NOT wear masks that cover the face.

Are there any discount tickets available anywhere?

Yes, advance discount tickets ($7/$7.50 ) are available from the Zoo’s Online Store at www.louisvillezoo.org. Advance discount tickets ($6.50) will be available at participating area Meijer stores beginning September 28. A list of participating stores can be found elsewhere on this page.

Where is the free parking and shuttle area?

The free parking and shuttle area is located at Derby City Field off Taylor Avenue. (Parking at the Zoo is $5 per car)

How long do the free shuttles run?

Shuttles start about 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the event and they don’t stop until the last car leaves the parking lot. Shuttles are handicapped accessible and can handle strollers and wagons.

Will the train be running?

No, the Zoo train will not be running during the Halloween Party. 

What other rides will be available and when can we ride them?

The Carousel will be running during the party. Cost is $2.00 per person. The 4-D Ride will be operating pending crowd size and is $5 per person ($4 for Zoo members). No ride packages are available during this event.

Is the Halloween Party cancelled if it rains?

No, the party goes on rain or shine.

What are the busiest nights/when is the best time to come to the Party?

Generally speaking the busiest nights are Fridays and Saturdays. The least busy nights are Thursdays and Sundays. All nights tend to get busier closer to the end of the month.

Do any of the treats you give out contain peanuts?

None of the products we give out contain peanuts but some of them are made in facilities that process peanuts.

FAQs About Trick-or-Treating

Can adults trick-or-treat?

Trick-or-treating is for kids 11 and under, so adults cannot trick-or-treat.

How many times can we go through the treat route?

You may go through the trick-or-treat route one time.

Should children bring their own trick-or-treat bags?

Yes, please help us be green and bring your own bags. A limited number of bags will be available in the gift shop tent for 25 cents each (while supplies last) if you forget your bag.
 

FAQs About Zoo Members and Halloween

Do Zoo Members get into the party free? 

Zoo Members (and those covered under their membership) may enter free on these select nights (Oct. 9-11, 15-18) and must purchase a ticket for other nights.

Can Zoo Members bring a guest?
Where do members buy guest tickets and how much are they?

For guests not covered under the membership, tickets are sold at the Membership tent for $8 the night of the event or you can purchase advance discount tickets ($7/$7.50 ) through the Zoo’s Online Store. Advance discount tickets ($6.50) will be available at participating area Meijer stores beginning September 28.

Is there a separate Zoo Member entrance?

Zoo members come in the main gate with other ticket holders and should be prepared to show their membership card and ID.
 

Special Message for Zoo Members
from the Zoo Director

Dear Zoo Member:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing to be a Louisville Zoo Member. During these days of economic challenges, your ongoing support is so very important to all that we do here at your Zoo.

Many of your have shared your concerns with me and my staff about the changes in our World’s Largest Halloween Party presented by Meijer. I felt this was an appropriate time to communicate with you about that and some other issues we are facing.

Financially, it’s been a very difficult year for many of us. Across the country, zoos are seeing record drop offs in fundraising and other earnings that support basic operations. At the Louisville Zoo, we have experienced some significant budget cuts this fall and will for the first time in our history begin laying off some of our dedicated employees.

Zoo staff have begun the process of adapting to the current circumstances by refocusing resources on what is critical to our mission - guaranteeing that animals are well cared for and that education programs, guest amenities and member services are maintained at the highest levels possible. As the Zoo’s most dedicated and enthusiastic supporters, we are asking you to adapt with us during this challenging time.

You may not have realized that the “World’s Largest Halloween Party!" is the Zoo’s largest fundraiser – raising funds for daily operations rather than capital projects like new exhibits. It is also a favorite fall activity for Zoo members, attracting as many as 90,000 visitors, approximately 75% of which are Zoo members. With rising event costs, the current unpredictability of sponsor income to offset expenses, and safety and capacity issues on the very crowded popular nights, we needed to revaluate the event for 2009. With the suggestions of over 1,000 members who participated in a fall 2008 survey and in light of new financial pressures, we have made some modifications for 2009, which we want to be sure you are aware of and understand.

Of the fourteen Halloween event nights this year, seven of them (October 9-11 and 15-18) will continue to be free to Zoo members and the persons covered under the membership. We hope this change not only lessens the congestion during the final weeks, thus improving the experience of all our guests, but also helps provide for a more successful fundraising effort.

If you are not able to take advantage of the free member nights and still wish to enjoy this event, I encourage you to consider supporting this important fundraiser along with non-member visitors by coming to the remaining nights and bringing your friends and family. We’ve kept ticket prices at the 2008 level with $6.50 discount tickets available through local Meijer stores.

Many of you have asked about 2010. At this point, we plan to continue offering  – free or discounted – admission to the Halloween Party. However, we will need to evaluate the 2009 event and the upcoming challenges before making final decisions about next year.

From renewing your membership to shopping in the gift shops and food concessions to riding the carousel or the new 4-D Ride, plus joining us for free or paid fundraising events, every zoo activity you participate in provides critical support to the Zoo. These and other activities provide the important revenue streams that sustain the Zoo’s mission. As members, you appreciate better than anyone the importance of what we do – from animal care and conservation to education programs and fun community events. We truly value all of your support and hope the connections you can make with family, nature and wildlife are worthwhile.

Thank you again for being a Zoo member and for your flexibility as we all adapt to current challenges.

Sincerely,

John Walczak
Louisville Zoo Director

LOUISVILLE ZOO * 1100 TREVILIAN WAY, LOUISVILLE KY 40213

BETTERING THE BOND BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE PLANET