Boo at the Zoo Gainesville: A Spooktacular Family Tradition
Boo at the Zoo! A Spooktacular Family Tradition
🎃 Boo at the Zoo Gainesville: A Spooktacular Family Tradition
Fall in Gainesville means cooler weather, changing leaves, and one of the most beloved local traditions — Boo at the Zoo at Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. Each year, this community event draws thousands of families, students, and visitors for a night of costumes, candy, and creatures.
If you’re visiting Gainesville for Halloween week or looking for something family-friendly to do during your stay at a StayGainesville Vacation Rental, this event is a must. It’s wholesome, educational, and pure fun — Gainesville style.
Here’s your complete guide to Boo at the Zoo 2025: when it happens, what to expect, and how to make the most of your spooky night in the wild.
🦇 What Is Boo at the Zoo?
Boo at the Zoo is an annual community event hosted by the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, where zookeepers-in-training turn the 10-acre zoo into a Halloween wonderland. Instead of scary frights, you’ll find fun costumes, themed decorations, candy stations, and educational encounters with the zoo’s animal residents.
Each section of the zoo is transformed into a different themed zone — from enchanted forests to pirate coves to glow-in-the-dark paths — and children can safely trick-or-treat their way through the exhibits while learning about wildlife conservation.
It’s Gainesville’s way of blending Halloween fun with animal education, and the result is a night that’s perfect for both locals and visiting families.
📅 When and Where
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL
The event is held each year on the Thursday before Halloween. Parking and entry are free, though guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to local charities. It’s a great example of Gainesville’s community spirit — having fun while giving back.
🧙♀️ What to Expect
Family-Friendly Fun for All Ages
This event is designed with families in mind. You’ll find:
Candy stations run by volunteers and zoo staff.
Interactive displays featuring zoo animals and fun facts.
Costumed students from the Santa Fe Zoo Animal Technology Program.
Themed areas throughout the zoo for safe, kid-friendly trick-or-treating.
Kids can bring their own treat bags, show off their costumes, and explore the zoo at their own pace. Parents love it because it’s safe, free, and educational, with plenty of parking and easy access from anywhere in Gainesville.
Creative Themes Every Year
Each year, Boo at the Zoo takes on a different creative theme. In past years, guests have wandered through “Under the Sea,” “Magical Menagerie,” and “Jurassic Jungle.” Expect colorful backdrops, music, bubbles, and light-up decorations that transform the zoo into an evening spectacle.
Volunteers and staff put in weeks of work creating scenes and sets that make each area feel immersive — think of it as Gainesville’s mini theme park for one night.
Meet the Animals After Dark
While the event focuses on fun, many of the zoo’s animals will still be visible, including bald eagles, alligators, lemurs, and capuchin monkeys. It’s a rare opportunity to see nocturnal behaviors and teach kids about the animals’ natural habits.
Zookeepers are stationed throughout to answer questions and share interesting facts — like why owls can turn their heads 270 degrees or how bats help control insect populations.
🧛♂️ Insider Tips for a Great Visit
1. Arrive Early
Lines can get long closer to sunset. Arriving around 3:00 p.m. gives you time to park, get your bearings, and start exploring before the crowds peak.
2. Bring a Donation
Admission is free, but the event collects non-perishable food items for local food banks. Bring a few cans or boxes to drop off at the entrance — it’s a simple way to give back.
3. Dress Comfortably
Costumes are encouraged for kids and adults, but remember you’ll be walking outdoors. Choose lightweight costumes and comfy shoes. Bring bug spray just in case, and a flashlight or glow stick if you plan to stay until dusk.
4. Bring Your Own Candy Bag
Candy stations provide treats, but you’ll need something to collect them in. Reusable totes or pumpkin buckets work great.
5. Plan for Photos
The zoo’s themed backdrops make for adorable Halloween photos. Arrive before sunset to catch golden-hour lighting among the trees and animal enclosures.
6. Explore Beyond the Zoo
If you’re visiting Gainesville for the weekend, make Boo at the Zoo part of a full itinerary. Spend the next day exploring nearby parks, attending local fall festivals, or visiting downtown Gainesville for shopping and dining.
🍔 Where to Eat Before or After
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite before trick-or-treating or treating the family afterward, Gainesville has plenty of local favorites within minutes of the zoo.
Before the Event
43rd Street Deli: Great for sandwiches and breakfast all day.
Bagels & Noodles: A hidden gem for quick soups, sushi, or noodles.
Maple Street Biscuit Company: Perfect for brunch before Boo at the Zoo.
After the Event
The Top: Casual, eclectic menu downtown — burgers, tacos, and craft beer.
Big Lou’s Pizzeria: A Gainesville staple for family-style pizza night.
Curia on the Drag: Great desserts and coffee for winding down.
🏡 Where to Stay for Boo at the Zoo Weekend
If you’re coming from out of town or just want to make a mini staycation of it, StayGainesville Vacation Rentals offers the perfect home base for the weekend.
Why StayGainesville is Ideal for Families:
Close to Santa Fe College and downtown Gainesville — no long drives needed.
Spacious homes and condos — plenty of room for everyone to spread out.
Full kitchens — prep Halloween snacks or cook breakfast before heading out.
Private parking and outdoor space — easy access for families with little ones.
Professionally cleaned and locally managed — so you can relax knowing every detail is handled.
With properties across Gainesville, StayGainesville gives you the convenience of home combined with local hospitality. Whether you want a cozy cottage or a larger family home, you’ll find the right fit — all just minutes from Boo at the Zoo.
🦉 Extend the Fun: More Halloween Events in Gainesville
If you’re spending the whole week in town, there’s even more Halloween fun nearby:
Downtown Gainesville Halloween Block Parties (Oct 31): For older kids and adults, downtown venues host live music, costume contests, and themed parties.
Trunk-or-Treat at First Presbyterian Church (Oct 30): Family-friendly event downtown with games, candy, and community fun.
Ghost Walks and Haunted Tours: Several local organizations run walking tours exploring Gainesville’s haunted history — perfect for brave visitors.
🌙 Why Locals Love Boo at the Zoo
Ask anyone in Gainesville, and they’ll tell you Boo at the Zoo isn’t just an event — it’s a tradition. For many families, it’s the official kickoff to Halloween weekend. It brings together the best of Gainesville’s values: community, education, and family fun.
You’ll see neighbors greeting one another, students volunteering, and kids giggling as they wander from station to station with candy in hand. It’s wholesome, safe, and uniquely Gainesville.
🎃 Time to Plan!
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Halloween event that blends education, creativity, and community spirit, Boo at the Zoo is the one you won’t want to miss.
Come in costume, bring your candy bag, and enjoy an evening surrounded by wildlife, laughter, and Gainesville hospitality. And when the night ends, head back to your StayGainesville rental — your cozy home base for a weekend full of fall fun.
Boo at the Zoo — October 30, 2025. Trick-or-treat safely, meet amazing animals, and make Gainesville memories that will last all year.
Celebrate Halloween Gainesville-style! Join the First Magnitude Halloween Ball on October 31, 2025 — a night of costumes, craft beer, and community. Stay nearby with StayGainesville Vacation Rentals.
Celebrate Tom Petty Weekend in Gainesville, November 7–9, 2025. Discover music, community, and comfort — stay close to the action with StayGainesville Vacation Rentals.
