Get ready for Tampa Bay’s number one family-friendly Halloween event! Creatures of the Night, ZooTampa’s frightful, fun-filled event, returns eerier than ever this fall. Guests of all ages can get into the spooky spirit throughout the Zoo on thirteen select nights through October 27!
This year’s event features a new sci-fi realm where the Testudians, a group of aliens who have disguised themselves as reptiles for centuries, live with the goal of transmitting information about Earth for an extraterrestrial invasion! The eerie fun continues throughout the Zoo with howling outdoor experiences, fun shows, spooky characters, creepy culinary treats and much more!
Creatures of the Night is free for members and Pay for a Day ticket holders. General admission tickets after 4PM are $34.95 on Friday, $39.95 on Saturday and $29.95 (Sunday).
NEW Creatures of the Night Experiences for 2024:
- “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.
Eerie Event Info:
- Creatures of the Night takes place on 13 select nights in September and October from 4pm to 10pm.
- Event nights are September 27 - 28 (members-only night), Oct. 4-5, Oct. 11-13, Oct. 18-20, and Oct. 25-27.
- General admission tickets after 4PM are $34.95 (Friday), $39.95 (Saturday), and $29.95 (Sunday) and can be purchased online at zootampa.org.
- Event capacity is limited. Date and time-specific tickets and reservations are strongly encouraged.
- There’s a $5 reservation fee for annual members and “Pay for a Day, Come Back All Year” ticket holders, which will be reimbursed upon entry as a $5 voucher valid on the event night for food and merchandise on the night of the reservation.
- Costume Note: Children (12 years of age and under) are invited to wear their most spooky Halloween attire. 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.
