Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo in Columbia, SC: What to Expect

Riverbanks’ Boo at the Zoo in Columbia, SC

Riverbanks Zoo is undoubtedly one of Columbia’s best attractions!

I remember going to the zoo as a kid growing up here in Columbia fondly.

Since moving back here and having our own child, we’ve found that it’s quickly become one of our favorite things to do with our daughter Aaliyah.

Check out my complete guide to Riverbanks Zoo here to visit the zoo during normal hours, by the way.

I remember the Christmas Lights at Riverbanks (now rebranded as Wild Lights) being a fun activity we always did with out grandparents as kids.

Funny enough, I don’t really remember going to Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks as a kid.

It’s supposedly been held for 30 years, so I would have been young enough to enjoy it when it started, but maybe it just wasn’t as popular or well known.

I do have many fond memories of trick or treating, and I’m sure I would have loved doing it at the zoo though!

Then again, maybe we went, and all the candy has made that time too hazy to remember.

Regardless of my own lack of childhood memories of Boo at the Zoo, it is, alongside Wild Lights, arguably the biggest family event the zoo hosts all year.

We took Aaliyah for the first time in 2024, just after her first birthday and took her back in 2025.

I think we will plan on making it a family tradition, at least while she is younger. It was neat to see her get a bit more out of it as a two year old!

In the rest of this post, I’ll go over what to expect at the annual Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo in Columbia, SC, including what activities to expect, how admission and tickets to Boo at the Zoo at Rivebanks work, and provide some info on this year’s edition based on our experiences.

Coming from out of town?: Check out my post on the best hotels near Riverbanks Zoo or search for top hotel deals in Columbia.

Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks Zoo 2025

I’ll dive into lots more details of what to expect based on our own visits to Columbia’s Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks below, but here I’ll go over some quick info on hte 2025 Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo that might be handy.

The zoo announces dates for these events fairly early, but exact details like ticket prices don’t get announced until they go on sale or only shortly before, so if you’re reading this looking for info on the 2026 event, know I will try to update it as Halloween approaches and full details on next year’s event come out.

2025 Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo Dates and Times

For 2025, Riverbanks Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo will run from October 17-30.

Boo the Zoo is open from 6 pm to 9 pm nightly all of those dates.

Perhaps it’s worth noting that it is not actually open for Halloween night on October 31.

When Will Pete the Cat Be at Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks?

Pete the Cat will be at Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo from Friday to Sunday night on opening weekend.

That’s October 17-19.

Pete is a current Aaliyah favorite, so we made sure to buy tickets for those dates to see him! It was really neat.

If you’re reading this past those dates, he was located just outside the birdhouse.

It’s unclear if he or other special guests will be invited future years, but that’s either there or in the covered picnic table area at the back of the zoo by the farm are good bets for where to find them if so.

2025 Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo Tickets Info

2025 Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo Tickets went on sale at midnight on September 15.

Prices are as follows:

• Admission to the General Public October 17-23: $18
• Admission to the General Public October 24-30: $20
• Admission to Zoo Members October 17-23: $15
• Admission to Zoo Members October 24-30: $17
• Children under 2 are free.

Keep in mind tickets often sell out quickly for weekends, so try to get your tickets ASAP once they are on sale!

Also, that’s definitely a strong children under 2, not 2 and under, as we originally misunderstood and had to buy Aaliyah a ticket upon arrival.

Haunted Hideaway Igloo Rentals

The 2025 edition of Boo at the Zoo will also feature the option to rent a “Haunted Igloo” for groups up to 6. Igloos include:

• 6 admission tickets
• Access to a private Halloween themed igloo from 6-9 pm
• Complimentary “spooky treat”
• 6 hot ciders
• “Ghoulish” games
• Small bluetooth speaker
• A special menu with “frightful delights”

The igloos, at least for 2025, were all located in the small area where there are normally tables next to Tusker’s Restaurant, across from the Aquarium and Reptile House.

Prices for the Haunted Igloos are $200 for members and $225 to the general public.

Is that worth it?

If you do the math, the price of 6 general admissions is $90-$102 for members and $108-$120 for nonmembers, depending on your date (prices for the igloo don’t vary).

I figure if you buy hot cider and get a snack on your own, you’re probably going to spend in the neighborhood of $10-15 a person.

So, about $60-$90 for 6.

That works out to $150-$210 total for 6 people, depending on if you are a member, what night you go, and what you buy.

So, if you think you’ll spend a significant amount of time hanging out in the igloo and know everyone will want cider plus a snack, it doesn’t work out to be all that much more expensive.

If you think you’ll spend the whole time trick or treating and won’t any drinks or snacks, or maybe only a popcorn or something, it’s probably not worth it.

To be honest, for an event that’s only 3 hours and is mostly about kids walking around and getting candy, it doesn’t seem worth it to me.

What to Do and See at Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks Zoo

Let’s talk about what you’ll be able to do and see at the annual Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo in Columbia.

You can also see the handy map the zoo makes and publishes in pdf form on its website ahead of time (that link goes to the 2025 version).

They also do have paper maps available when you enter too.

Can You See the Animals?

First things first, let’s talk about if you can see the animals during Boo at the Zoo.

This is an event at a zoo, after all!

The answer is sort of.

Many of the animals are put away, as the zoo’s website points out.

However, pretty much the entire zoo is open to walk through though, and it’s possible that you might catch a lucky glimpse of some of the animals in their habitats who aren’t put away in areas in the back for the evening.

For example, we saw Butch the grizzly bear (sleeping, per usual), the koalas (also sleeping, per usual), the komodo dragon (sleeping? or maybe just being still under his light, per usual) as well as many of the animals in the monkey cave during our 2025 visit.

Oh, and we also got a glimpse of the new tiger wandering around a bit. He is almost always hiding during the day, and the only time I’ve seen him moving around was during this and our visit earlier this year on a Riverbanks Zoo Members Night.

I can confirm for sure that the rhinos, giraffes, baboons, and lions were all definitely put away in the back of their habitats.

So, I’d say, if you’re coming to Boo at the Zoo, you should come to enjoy the Halloween themed activities, and plan to see the animals on a visit during the daytime and perhaps be pleasantly surprised if you see some animals like the tiger around (actually to be honest, that was a pretty spooky touch!).

Trick or Treating!

Well, of course!

There are trick or treat stands set up around the zoo. Kids can go up to each stand and get a piece of candy or two.

It’s a great alternative to traditional trick or treating if you live in a neighborhood that isn’t as pedestrian or kid friendly or if other obligations get in the way of going out on Halloween Night itself.

Or if you’re neighbors just give out bad candy!

We noticed there’s a decent variety of candy at the stands, from chocolate to hard candies.

Of course, if you live in a great trick or treating neighborhood, your lucky kids get to double up before Halloween here since Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks runs for the two weeks leading up to Halloween.

Do note that according to the zoo’s website, children are allowed to visit stands more than once but do need to go to the back of the line.

Trick or Treating is also reserved for kids 12 and under only.

The zoo’s site also says it “encourages” children to bring their own reusable bags or containers for trick or treating.

I will say that the stands are spaced out pretty well.

You’re never walking too far without passing one, and we never encountered any really long lines, but you’re not just moving from one table to one a a few feet away either.

Haunted Carousel

They call this the Haunted Carousel and claim it gets a spooky makeover for Boo at the Zoo.

However, as far as I could tell, it was just the normal carousel.

I know, because we went recently while it was closed, that it got a new paint job in the weeks leading up to the 2025 Boo at the Zoo, but there weren’t any werewolves or anything like that.

It was kind of neat to see it with lights on, so a slightly different experience for kids than during the day.

Keep in mind, riding the carousel during Boo at the Zoo, like during the day, requires an additional fee using the Explore More Credits the zoo uses (there is a stand nearby where you can get credits or add credits to your membership card if you have one).

Also, keep in mind, that wrist bands for unlimited rides and attractions are not sold during Boo at the Zoo.

That also means Explorer tier members, who normally get an unlimited wrist band during daytime visits, will not get wristbands during Boo at the Zoo either.

Spooky Spots and Stripes Railroad

The mini-train by the farm also operates during Boo at the Zoo. Like, the carousel, it also requires an additional charge of Explore More credits to ride during Boo at the Zoo.

Aaliyah hasn’t really wanted to ride the train yet, and I didn’t pay close enough attention when we were near it to see if it truly gets a spooky makeover or not.

I imagine there are cool decorations, like spiders and things up along the path, and, again, doing it at night would be a different perspective than during the day.

Ray’s Moonlight Magic Show

On the backside of the zoo, where the covered area with picnic tables are by the farm, there is a magic show that runs periodically each night.

It’s a fun show for kids, and a good chance for parents to sit and rest for a minute. Parents and kids should both get a laugh too.

Oh, and also, the bathrooms near here (between the picnic area and the farmyard) do have one family restroom, the only one I know of at Riverbanks.

In this picnic shelter, there are usually some other fun little activities too like a blow up maze.

There is also a small snack stand with some fall and Halloween inspired treats that is normally not here.

Oh, and there is also always a nice photo op here with the Boo at the Zoo logo surrounded by bails of hay and pumpkins.

Eeky Freaky DJ

In the large plaza directly across from the main entrance, you’ll find the “Eeky Freaky DJ” playing fun music.

On our first visit in 2024, Aaliyah had just turned one, and she got a real kick out dancing. She loved it even more as a two year old in 2025.

They play a mix of sing along style, kid friendly pop music and Halloween themed songs like “Thriller” and “Ghostbusters.”

It’s a good spot to end the evening after doing your circuit of the zoo and trick or treat stations, and the dance party really gets going around 8.

Honestly, letting your kids burn of that Halloween candy sugar with some dancing before heading home is definitely a good idea.

So, props all around to the organizers for thinking of this!

Enjoy the Halloween Decorations

There are also neat little light decorations set up all around the zoo, and many of the zoo’s areas are decorated in spooky and Halloween themes.

Themes seem to vary a bit year to year, with a mixture of new ones and ones from previos years but in different spots.

Each section of the zoo seems to have a different theme, such as pirates, aliens, or knights and dragons.

There are lots of traditional Halloween ones like pumpkin scarecrows, witches, and spiders too.

Special Guests

There are also sometimes special guests (for example, Pete the Cat in 2025), and there are also neat little photo ops set up here and around the zoo.

For what it’s worth, the announcement that Pete the Cat would be there we first noticed in our Riverbanks Zoo Membership magazine, and it wasn’t announced on the website or elsewhere until weeks later.

So, if you get the membership magazine or emails, keep an eye out so you’ll know if there are any special guests worth planning around.

Chow Down

Besides the complimentary trick or treat candy, there are concessions sold during Boo at the Zoo.

This includes the typical zoo snacks like sodas, popcorn, and Dippin’ Dots.

There are also S’more stations and kits as well as some fall and Halloween themed special snacks and drinks like cider.

October in Columbia can be pretty hit or miss if it’s cool enough to make sitting around a fire palatable, but it can be a fun way to warm up if it is a bit chilly.

You might want to save the S’Mores for Riverbanks Wild Lights at Christmas time though!

Boo at the Zoo Ticket Info

Keep in mind that Boo at the Zoo requires a separate, special admission ticket that is good only for the event.

You can’t buy a ticket in the morning and stay all day through Boo at the Zoo, for example.

Instead, you’ll need to buy a ticket for the day (if you come in the day) and another for the night.

It’s worth keeping in mind as well that normal daytime operating hours (9-5) are sometimes affected by events like this with the zoo closing a bit earlier for set up (although that’s usually only the case for Wild Lights).

So, you may want to double check the zoo’s website if you plan to come during the day on the dates Boo at the Zoo runs to confirm the operating hours.

It’s also important to keep in mind, that you cannot buy tickets at the ticket window.

They must be bought online ahead of time!

The zoo’s website really encourages buying tickets ahead of time since they do only allow a limited number of people to enter each evening.

For what it’s worth, I was able to buy Aaliyah a ticket online at the gate when we realized we messed up and she needed one for being 2. That was Sunday on opening weekend in 2025, so hard to say for sure if that would work if they had been sold out.

Prices for Boo at the Zoo at Riverbanks fluctuate year to year and depending on when you purchase them (they are slightly higher the day of), so I don’t want to list a price here.

It’s probably worth pointing out that Boo at the Zoo is a rain or shine (moon glow?) event, and refunds are not given if it rains.

If the weather is severe enough that the zoo has to announce closure before 4 pm, it does honor tickets on another night.

Insider Tip to Change Your Ticket

I would add though, that we actually messed up and bought tickets for the 2025 Boo at the Zoo on a night we had a wedding to attend. When I called the zoo to ask if there was anyway to change them, they told me they allow one free change but any other changes require a $5 surcharge.

To change the dates, I just simply replied to the email where they sent them.

I have a feeling they don’t advertise that ability much so that people don’t abuse it.

I would point out, I caught this still several weeks ahead of the event, and I imagine they might not allow it if it had been last minute or if they night we wanted to change to had been sold out.

Still, it’s nice to know you can change them in a pinch.

You can confirm the price, buy tickets, and get more detailed info straight from the zoo on its Boo at the Zoo webpage.

Are There Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo Discount Codes?

I don’t know of any discount codes for Riverbanks Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo event.

Children under 2 are free.

Members also get a small discount (a few dollars) on tickets to Boo the Zoo.

It’s possible some businesses or corporate partners may be able to acquire discounted tickets as well, but even the big money membership levels don’t get complimentary tickets to this event!

Some Practical Tips for Riverbanks Boo at the Zoo

This is a fairly big event for the zoo, and, as I’ve mentioned above, it will likely sell out on weekends.

So, in addition to getting your tickets early, I’d suggest arriving a bit early too to get a good parking spot and get in the entrance line.

I should also point out here that only the main front parking lot is open during Boo at the Zoo.

If you have slightly older kids and/or don’t mind staying until the end time, I also have heard that arriving a little late can be a good strategy to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Most people will arrive right at 6 and hit all the trick or treat stands first before hanging out.

So, if you come in around 7, the rush and longer lines for candy will have started to die down.

To be honest, we haven’t tried it that way since Aaliyah is still so young, but it makes a lot of sense (I’d love to know if you’ve implemented this strategy with success in the comments, by the way!).

Riverbanks’ policy is no outside food or drinks, and I’d never advocate anyone break the rules.

That being said, we’ve never been given a hard time for having water and a small snack, like a banana, in the diaper bag for Aaliyah.

There are signs up that say you have to pay to park, but no one ever collects any money.

Keep in mind teenagers 15 and younger must be with an adult.

Costumes are allowed and most young kids and many adults will have them, but keep in mind this is a family friendly event geared towards younger children.

So, nothing too gory, scary, or risqué!

In fact, the zoo’s webpage specifically asks that adult costumes not be scary.

Also, zoo policy is full face coverings are not allowed for visitors 16 or older. Given how many small children come to this event, I’d imagine that is still in effect for this event, Halloween or not.

So, I wouldn’t plan on a costume that has an elaborate mask.

The zoo’s site also makes clear that they encourage costumes for kids 12 and under but do not require it.

I’d point out again that the page says trick or treating is reserved for kids 12 and under.

Do I think a well behaved 13 year old with their family will be escorted out of the line?

Probably not.

Do I think a group of 17 year olds screwing around will get candy?

Probably not.

Ready to Go to Columbia’s Boo at the Zoo?

Now you know all you need to plan your own visit to Boo at the Zoo at Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo!

I hope you found this post useful, you have a great and spooky time, and you (I mean, your kids), get lots of candy!

If you went to Boo at the Zoo, I’d love for you to share what you thought or share any tips you’d give others in the comments below!

Cheers and Happy Spooky Exploring!