Boo At the Zoo

Thank you to everyone who came out to our 27th annual Boo at the Zoo! We raised almost 6000 canned goods to support Saints Food Share at Santa Fe College and Catholic Charities of Gainesville. 

We'll see you on October 31, 2024 for our 28th annual event! 

28th Annual Boo at the Zoo! 
child holding out pumpkin bucket for candy while person dressed as minecraft character gives it out

Boo at the Zoo is Gainesville's favorite Halloween treat for families. The students and staff transform the zoo into a spooky but safe trick or treating event for the whole family. All ages are welcome to join us in costume and trick or treat! 

Admission to the event is one canned good or non-perishable food item per person. Cans collected help two charities - Saints Food Share at Santa Fe College, and Catholic Charities, which feed families in need around our community.

The zoo will be closed from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in order to prepare and transform the zoo into multiple themed areas with candy stations.  

In addition to the festivities and trick or treating in the zoo, Fun4GatorKids hosts a KidsZone in front of the zoo full of community organizations with crafts, activities, and even more candy! There will be live entertainment from Danscompany of Gainesville performing their Thriller trilogy, animal encounters, games run by Santa Fe Saints Athletics teams, and food available for purchase at the event. 

Boo at the Zoo starts at 3 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m. We hope you'll join us for our 28th annual event! 

When

Halloween - Thursday, October 31, 2024
3 - 7 p.m. 
Zoo Members will receive information about early entry and fast pass lines via email no later than a week prior to the event. 

Where

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
3000 NW 83rd St. 
Gainesville, FL 32606

Parking will be in Lot 9, across the street from the zoo. 

Admission

1 canned good or non-perishable food item per person. 
Canned goods will be donated to local food banks. 

Food 

TBD

2023 Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsoring organizations for your generous support of this event! 

Fun4GatorKids
Cricket Wireless
Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company
Campus USA Credit Union
Saints Sharewear
The Repurpose Project

2 people dressed up as a ninja turtle and a sea turtle

SF Teaching zoo sign surrounded by hay bales and pumpkins

Person dressed up as character from Halloween Town with crowd of people behind them