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.

SPRINGFIELD — The Zoo in Forest Park’s annual family-friendly Halloween event returns to the zoo on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Advance tickets are required.

Spooky Safari features a variety of not-so-spooky activities, including a trick-or-treat trail, Halloween-themed crafts, a zoo-wide scavenger hunt, and encounters with a few animal friends. A face painter will be on site transforming kids into their favorite creatures.

Representatives from Link to Libraries, an organization that aims to increase access to books, will be handing out free books to the trick-or-treaters. Springfield Museums and Connecticut Science Center are among other local organizations that guests will find along the trail. Children participating in the trick-or-treat trail are encouraged to bring a bag.

Children and adults are encouraged to show off their Halloween costumes for a chance to be crowned the Funniest, Most Creative, or Best Group Costume in the Spooky Safari Virtual Costume Contest via the Zoo’s Facebook page. Winners from each category, as selected by a panel of judges from the zoo’s staff, will receive a prize.

“Spooky Safari is our last big event before we close for the season,” said Gabry Tyson, assistant executive director at the Zoo in Forest Park. “Not only is it a fun opportunity for families to visit before we close, but the funds raised from this event help prepare us for the offseason.” The zoo is open to the public April through October but remains fully staffed and operational year-round for the 225-plus animals that live on its grounds.

Pre-registration is required to attend, and tickets sell out quickly. No additional tickets will be sold at the door, and library passes cannot be used for this event. Registration closes Oct. 24 or when all tickets are sold. To purchase tickets, visit www.forestparkzoo.org/spooky-safari.