Family-friendly Halloween Event Set for Oct. 25 at Forest Park Zoo

SPRINGFIELD — The Zoo in Forest Park’s annual Spooky Safari, a Halloween event for all ages, returns on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (advance tickets required).

Spooky Safari includes a trick-or-treat trail for kids complete with small toys, free books from Link to Libraries, and, of course, candy. Guests are also invited to create Halloween-themed crafts, complete a scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes, and participate in up-close animal encounters. A professional face painter will be on site from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., making costumes come to life with complimentary face painting.

The event also features a virtual costume contest with prizes awarded for Funniest, Best Group, and Most Creative costumes, as voted by zoo staff. Attendees are encouraged to snap a photo at the event and post it as a comment on the designated post on the zoo’s Facebook page for a chance to be crowned a winner.

“Spooky Safari is our last big hurrah before we close our gates for the season,” said Gabry Tyson, assistant executive director at the Zoo in Forest Park. “It offers families an opportunity to visit before winter while supporting the ongoing care of the animals that live here year-round.”

Although the zoo will close to the public on Nov. 3, it remains a fully staffed and operational facility 365 days a year.

Pre-registration is required to attend Spooky Safari. No additional tickets will be sold at the door, and library passes cannot be used for this event. Registration closes on Oct. 24 at noon or when all tickets are sold. The entrance gates close at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, and the event ends at 2:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.forestparkzoo.org/spooky-safari.