The 38th annual Spooktacular is back at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens hosting family friendly Halloween fun on select nights throughout October. The first Spooktacular night this year is Saturday, Oct. 4.
Jacksonville Zoo will close at 5 p.m., reopen at 5:30 p.m. and remain open through 9:30 p.m. for Spooktacular. Families can dress up in their favorite costumes to enjoy over eight candy stations, fall festivities like carnival games and crafts, food vendors, music, themed experiences and a scare zone.
What is Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular?
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is hosting the 38th annual Spooktacular, which features over eight candy stations and fall activities including carnival games and crafts, and themed experiences like the Spider’s Den, Dungeon of Bats and Marigolds and Monarchs Celebration.
Visitors can also enjoy music, photo opportunities, gift shopping and food and drinks in their best family friendly costumes. Those 13+ can dare to enter the Lost Swamp, a thrilling scare zone located in Riverview.
Unfortunately, the animals are not visible during the event.
Which dates in October 2025 are Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular?
On Spooktacular nights, Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens will close at 5 p.m., and reopen from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.:
How to get Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular tickets
Guests can save $5 per ticket when tickets are purchased in advance and online. Zoo admission and Spooktacular combo tickets are also available for purchase. Tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable.
MEMBERS
NON-MEMBERS
Can I bring my own food to the Jacksonville Zoo?
“Coolers or outside food and beverage are only allowed within Picnic Grove near Main Camp,” says the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens official website. “They are prohibited in all other areas inside the Zoo and Gardens.”
Water bottles are allowed, per the zoo.
Where does the Jacksonville Zoo rank in the US?
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens ranked #4 on USA TODAY’s 10Best Awards for “Best Zoo (2025)”
The zoo is an award-winning institution and attraction based in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2023, its Land of the Tiger exhibit was named a fan favorite, and the North Florida attraction was inducted in the 2019 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular returns for 2025 with Halloween fun. How to get tickets
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
