Zootacular turns Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium into a Halloween night out, with glowing pathways, trick-or-treat stations, fire performers, and after-hours animal encounters. Presented by Veridian Credit Union, the event runs on select nights in October from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. This guide covers Zootacular dates, ticket prices, VIP options, and tips for visiting the Omaha zoo at Halloween with kids.
Zootacular 2026 Dates, Hours & Tickets
Zootacular runs on eight nights this October: Oct 14, 16–18, 23–25, and 30. General admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 3 to 11, and kids 2 and under get in free. Zoo members receive 20% off admission, which brings tickets down to $20 for adults and $12 for children. Tickets and upgrades are available on the Zoo’s Zootacular page.
- Perfect For: Families with kids of all ages; date nights; groups of friends
- Address: 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107
- Cost: $15–$25 general admission | $60–$65 Family VIP | $240–$300 Ghouly Iglooze (up to 6 guests)
- Parking: Free lots off S 10th St
- Hours: Oct 14, 16–18, 23–25 & 30, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Family VIP Tickets
The Family VIP experience starts at 4:30 p.m. with dinner, Halloween storytime, and hands-on crafts. VIP guests also get early access to Zootacular beginning at 6:15 p.m., so you can walk the glowing pathways before general admission opens at 6:30 p.m. VIP tickets run $60 to $65 per person and $52 to $55 for kids 3 and up.
Ghouly Iglooze Private Igloos
The Zoo is also renting out private, fully furnished igloos called Ghouly Iglooze, each holding up to six guests. Rentals run $240 to $300 and include attendant service and priority entry. Igloos like these tend to sell out, so reserve early through the Zoo’s site.
What to Do at Zootacular in Omaha
Treat Street Trick-or-Treating
Treat Street is the main draw for families with younger kids. Walk down the lit path, stop at all nine trick-or-treat stations, and fill your bag with Halloween goodies. Photo backdrops along the way make it easy to capture the costumes everyone worked on.
- Perfect For: Toddlers, preschoolers, and first-time trick-or-treaters
- Cost: Included with general admission
Live Entertainment
Live entertainment fills the night, and a few acts are worth planning around. The Omaha Circus Arts fire show lights up Orangutan Oasis, magician Joe Cole performs illusions and tricks, and the Salem Sisters from Hocus Pocus pose for photos with guests. There’s also a dance party in the aquarium, so there’s something to watch wherever you head. Check the schedule when you arrive and plan your Treat Street loop around the shows you want to catch.
- Perfect For: School-aged kids; adults who want more than candy
- Cost: Included with general admission
After-Hours Animal Exhibits
Zootacular includes after-hours animal encounters, and seeing habitats after dark is a different experience from a daytime visit. The nocturnal exhibits in the Desert Dome’s Kingdoms of the Night fit the theme well. Check the Zoo’s event map for which indoor exhibits, including the Lied Jungle and Desert Dome, are open each night.
- Perfect For: Families who want an indoor break; animal lovers
- Cost: Included with general admission
Zootacular Tips: Costumes, Strollers & Parking
- Costumes: Costumes are encouraged, and matching family outfits are popular. Guests ages 12 and up are asked not to wear masks that cover their eyes, and weapon props aren’t allowed.
- Bags: Trick-or-treat bags are provided, so you don’t need to bring your own.
- Strollers and wagons: The paths near the entrance are easy for strollers, but plan for some hills if you head deeper into the Zoo.
- Weather: October nights in Omaha can get cold and windy, so dress in layers.
- Arrival: Arrive close to 6:30 p.m. for the best parking, and use the indoor exhibits as a break from the crowds and noise.
For more spooky fun around the city, check out our guide to celebrating Halloween in Omaha.
Plan Your Halloween in Omaha
Zootacular is one of the biggest family Halloween nights in the metro, with something for toddlers, school-aged kids, and adults. Pair it with a pumpkin patch or a fall festival earlier in the day, and you have a full weekend of Omaha fall fun.
Looking for more ideas? Browse our guides to the best fall drinks at Omaha coffee shops, the best pumpkin patches near Omaha, and the best fall festivals in Omaha. Did we miss a Halloween event worth adding? Let us know!
