If you live in the New York City area, or are planning a trip to the area during the month of October, I thought I would let you know about some fun “happenings” at the Bronx Zoo.
My family went to the Bronx Zoo last year for their “Boo at the Zoo” month long event. You can read about it here – Boo at the Zoo! It was fun to see the zoo dressed up for Halloween including giant spiders and plenty of pumpkins.
During the month of October the Bronx Zoo has more fun things planned for visitors.
Come visit THE Halloween destination for Metro New York families and one of New York’s favorite Halloween celebrations! Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo is a fun-filled, animal-themed, kid-friendly, not-so scary, Halloween experience. This celebration combines this fun holiday with the Bronx Zoo’s mission of connecting people to nature. October weekends at the zoo feature hay mazes, costume parades, musical theater, magic, and more. Don’t forget to embark on a trip back in time as you ride our Dinosaur Safari!
Live Music
Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band is back due to popular demand and will lead zoo audiences on a zany, rollicking, good time with Gigi’s Dino-mite Prehistoric Party. Roar through the globe on the “T-Rex Express” and rock to a NEW, even more rockin’ version of the prehistoric favorite, “Tyrana.” Come participate in animal-themed musical performances, songs, and dances that are knee-slapping fun and celebrate the animals of the wild.
Presented by IKEA and New York Presbyterian Hospital
Location: by Bears
11:30am, 1pm, 3pm
Magic Shows
Join internationally acclaimed magician David Levitan for a special brand of magic that has won the heart of audiences worldwide. Be amazed as Levitan combines his magical expertise with his terrific sense of humor and encourages audience participation as a part of his spooktacular magic shows.
Presented by IKEA and New York Presbyterian Hospital
Location: by Bears
12pm, 2pm, 4pm
Costume Parade
March with mythical creatures and dinosaur creations from the Alice Farley Dance Company and the Puppet Kitchen in a fantastical Dinosaur and Dragon Creature Parade! Come see a large-scale Komodo dragon puppet, a flying Quetzalcoatlus, a Triceratops, and a zany paleontologist as they lead you on an exciting adventure around the zoo.
Presented by IKEA and New York Presbyterian Hospital
Parade: 12pm & 2pm (Zoo Center)
Photo Op: 3:30pm (Dancing Crane Plaza)
Children’s Theater
Beasts of the Magical World, a puppet musical
This BOOtacular puppetry musical tells stories of elves and sorcerers, snakes and Komodo dragons, and best of all, magic! Created by acclaimed puppeteer Noel MacNeal of Sesame Street and Nickelodeon.
Location: Asia Plaza
Times: 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
Creepy Crafts
Create fall-themed masterpieces and design your very own Komodo dragon puppet.
Presented by DNAinfo.com
Location: Dancing Crane Plaza
Times: 11am – 4pm
Creature Chats
Join our experts as they demystify and celebrate wildlife!
Snakes: 11am (World of Reptiles)
Bats: 11:30am (Jungle World)
Birds: 2:30pm (Birds of Prey)
Komodo dragons: 3:00pm (Zoo Center)
Museum of UnNatural Mysteries
Come explore Dr. B. Zarre’s remarkable museum collection of fantastical vestiges and mysterious creatures! Witness fascinating evidence of how the dinosaurs were destroyed and amazing artifacts collected from earth and space. Dr. B. Zarre has amassed his incredible collection through years of exploration and adventure and has brought his interesting “believe it or not” collection as a special exhibition exclusively at the Bronx Zoo.
Presented by IKEA and New York Presbyterian Hospital
Location: by Somba Village
Timing: 11am – 5pm
Hay Maze
Let yourself get lost at the zoo with a Halloween maze filled with sudden starts, stops, and lots of adventure.
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: by Butterfly Garden
Treat Stations
Special locations around the park will help sweeten your visit.
Time: 11am – 5pm
Carved Pumpkin Demonstrations and Display
Professional pumpkin carvers from Sand Sculpture USA will be demonstrating their skill and displaying intricate pumpkin carvings that cannot be missed. From classic movie monsters in animal form, to giant insects and dinosaurs, our carvers will delight audiences with their remarkable creations.
Presented by Family Circle, New York Life, & PBS KIDS
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Dancing Crane Plaza
Animal Enrichment Activities
Every day keepers use toys, treats, and training to enrich the lives of all our animals. Look for special Halloween enrichment items and activities throughout the zoo.
Themed Weekend Entertainment
October 5 Come join Annie and Daddy Warbucks from ANNIE The Musical on Broadway for an exclusive meet & greet and musical performance! After the show, don’t miss the chance to march alongside Annie and Daddy Warbucks in our Costume Parade.
Time: 10:30 am – 12pm
Meet & Greet Location: Dancing Crane Plaza
Parade Location: Zoo Center
October 13 Come join Cinderella from the Broadway musical Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA for an exclusive meet & greet and musical performance! After the show, don’t miss the chance to march alongside Cinderella in our costume parade.
Time: 11:30am
Meet & Greet Location: Dancing Crane Plaza
Parade Location: Zoo Center
October 19 & 20 Don’t miss exciting fall-themed crafts, presented to you by Family Circle, New York Life, & PBS KIDS
October 26 & 27 Goosebumps Most Wanted are on the loose…at the Bronx Zoo! Catch a chance at a FREE copy of Goosebumps Most Wanted: Dr. Maniac Will See You Now—after all, books make the best treats! After you’ve picked up your book, don’t forget to take a frightful Goosebumps photo.
Presented by Scholastic
Time: 11am – 4pm
Location: TBD
WOW! The whole month is jam-packed with fun events for the whole family.
I am going to try and get back to the zoo this month. I want to check out the Museum of UnNatural Mysteries. That sounds fun.
We did the hay maze last year. It’s fun for the little ones. My kids were a bit too old for it but they sure loved the treat stations. What kid doesn’t love free candy. 🙂
If you are looking for something fun to do with the whole family this month don’t forget to check out the Bronx Zoo.
For more information about the Bronx Zoo visit www.BronxZoo.com. You can also find them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/BronxZoo) and on Twitter (@TheBronxZoo).
Kimberly
*I have partnered with the Bronx Zoo as a brand ambassador. I was not compensated for this post. I did receive a free membership for my participation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Linda Stewart says
Is the Bronx Zoo state funded or federal funded? I wonder if the Gov. shutdown will affect the zoo activities?
Olivia Rubin says
Oh how I miss the Bronx zoo. I remember going there on Wednesdays when it was free with donation. Last time I was there my sister and I rode the camels…that was scary! I miss the fall weather, but I hear its super warm right now..like 80
Dana Rodriguez says
I have never been to New York but my fiance’ is from there.I am hoping to go visit soon,,too bad we couldn’t make it it this!
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
I have never been to the Bronx zoo. I hope to go to New York some day again. I’ve been two times but never made it to the zoo.
Tammy S says
This sounds like a ton of fun. I would love to take my kids to the Bronx Zoo.
Stephanie G says
This sounds like fun, I would enjoy the hay maze and the treat stations, my sister and brother live in New York I will have to tell them about this!
Judith S. says
Going to New York and visiting these places is on my bucket list. Hope to make the trip soon.