For 13 nights, beginning Sept. 27 until Oct. 27, ZooTampa's spooky and kid-friendly Halloween party "Creatures of the Night," returns to Lowry Park.
This year's event features a new sci-fi realm full of aliens on the "'They Are Here' Alien Haunted Trail," with guests engaged in an interactive hunt. Other new additions are "The Merry Old Land of Oz," where guests can meet characters from "The Wizard of Oz," and a place to do a bit of "nose-mining" in the "Troll Cave."
Other classic exhibits include "Swamp Witch Way," introduced in 2022, the "Vampire Ball," "Vikings Victory Party," and more.
Here's what's new from ZooTampa:
"For the comfort and security of everyone, guests (13 years of age and up) may not wear Halloween masks, wigs, face paint, or costumes of any kind. Toy weapons are prohibited regardless of age," ZooTampa wrote in their press release. However, children 12 and under are encouraged to wear "Halloween attire."
General admission tickets after 4 PM are $34.95 on Fridays, $39.95 on Saturdays and $29.95 on Sundays and guests 2 and under have free entry. Tickets can be purchased online at zootampa.org.
Annual members and Pay For a Day ticket holders have free entry but are required to pay a $5 reservation fee (that will be reimbursed upon entry with a $5 voucher for food or merchandise).
Event nights are Oct. 4-5, 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27, with Sept. 27-28 being for members only. All events are from 4 to 10 p.m.
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This year's event features a new sci-fi realm full of aliens on the "'They Are Here' Alien Haunted Trail," with guests engaged in an interactive hunt. Other new additions are "The Merry Old Land of Oz," where guests can meet characters from "The Wizard of Oz," and a place to do a bit of "nose-mining" in the "Troll Cave."
Other classic exhibits include "Swamp Witch Way," introduced in 2022, the "Vampire Ball," "Vikings Victory Party," and more.
Here's what's new from ZooTampa:
- “They Are Here” Alien Haunted Trail: For centuries, the Testudians have been hiding in plain sight as reptiles and amphibians on Earth. Guests will join the Taskforce for Alien Protection to thwart the aliens' plans. During the highly interactive hunt, guests will complete tasks to stop the aliens' ability to communicate with each other and fend off the alien invasion.
- The Merry Old Land of Oz: The endearing characters from L. Frank Baum’s children's fantasy classic “Wizard of Oz” come to life and interact with the youngest Creatures of the Night guests and their families. Meet Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and The Cowardly Lion, or face the Wicked Witch of the West and her Flying Monkeys.
- Troll Cave: Legend has it that troll boogers are made of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. The Troll Cave is where a small band of playfully lovable trolls gather to do a bit of “nose-mining.” When they find the sparkliest jewels, they wipe them on the moss-covered walls. Guests who have not been enlightened to the beauty of troll boogers may believe that this bright and shiny cave is covered with precious stones…but its snot.
Returning Eerie Favorites:
- Vampire Ball: Instead of blood, Count Chirop and Countess Tera feed on fun and host a party made up of human and monster friends.
- Vikings Victory Party: This dance party features jock jams and victory anthems. Guests brave enough to join these barbarians in their celebratory revelry are ensured a rocking good time.
- Swamp Witch Way: ZooTampa guests courageous enough to seek out Blackwater Mattie for themselves may be lucky – or perhaps unlucky – enough to find her along Swamp Witch Way in the Florida’s Roaring Springs area. Though she’d prefer to be left alone, she does love to bargain, so make sure you have something to trade before you venture into her cursed territory.
- Howliday House Light Show: Guests can enjoy a colorful Halloween light show every 15 minutes in front of ZooTampa’s own haunted house.
Spider-Queen Court: Are you ready to meet the Spider Queen and her Court? Join them for some Halloween fun and be mesmerized by the living black widow fountain.
- Twisted Tales: Enter the delightful world of fairytales and meet Mother Goose on Zoo Blvd.
- Clown Carousel: Whether you find clowns frightful or delightful, you won’t want to miss Carousel Circle, where a troupe of clowns have set up shop to play pranks on passing guests and smash a whole bunch of pumpkins.
- HooDoo Haven: Guests who dare to travel through ZooTampa’s Ituri Forest will find a Mardi Gras party festooned with flags and dripping with beads.
"For the comfort and security of everyone, guests (13 years of age and up) may not wear Halloween masks, wigs, face paint, or costumes of any kind. Toy weapons are prohibited regardless of age," ZooTampa wrote in their press release. However, children 12 and under are encouraged to wear "Halloween attire."
Event Details
Annual members and Pay For a Day ticket holders have free entry but are required to pay a $5 reservation fee (that will be reimbursed upon entry with a $5 voucher for food or merchandise).
Event nights are Oct. 4-5, 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27, with Sept. 27-28 being for members only. All events are from 4 to 10 p.m.
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