Official Zoo Boo 2026 event poster. Image credit: Friends of the Bergen County Zoo.

Paramus families do not have to wait until Halloween night to put their costumes to work.

Zoo Boo 2026 brings decorated paths, trick-or-treat stations, and a choice of friendly or spooky train rides to the Bergen County Zoo on October 16–18.

The annual fundraiser gives residents a local seasonal outing, but choosing the right session and buying the correct tickets are essential parts of the plan.

Start with the organizer’s official Zoo Boo guide before promising the children a particular ride or arrival time.

Choose your day and your level of spooky

Friday, October 16, runs from 6–9 p.m., while Saturday, October 17, offers both a 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daytime session and a 6–9 p.m. evening session.

Sunday, October 18, runs from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., giving families another daytime option.

The corresponding rain dates are October 23, 24, and 25, so keep the following weekend in mind when planning.

The daytime train uses friendly Halloween scenes without scare elements, making it the gentler choice for visitors who want costumes and treats without a fright.

The nighttime train features actors and scary scenes, and the organizer recommends it for older children and brave adults.

Choose for the people in your group, rather than assuming everyone enjoys the same kind of Halloween fun.

Talk through the difference before purchasing, especially if a child is excited about a train ride but uncomfortable with surprises.

Three tickets, three different experiences

Zoo admission does not include the train or carousel.

Check the ticket page for current prices and fees before buying zoo admission or ride tickets.

Zoo admission covers the decorated zoo, trick-or-treat stations, and shows, while each ride requires its own ticket.

Everyone age two and older needs a ticket; children younger than two do not.

Zoo and train tickets must be purchased online in advance and will not be sold at the front gate on the event day.

Carousel tickets are sold in person during the event, with cash required.

Zoo admission tickets use hourly arrival slots, while the train and carousel tickets do not have hourly slots.

Follow the organizer’s ticket link to review the available choices, current availability, and checkout total before completing a purchase.

Tickets are nonrefundable, so confirm your group’s schedule and chosen session first.

Trick-or-treating pictured in the organizer’s Zoo Boo gallery; an earlier event image, not a photograph of the upcoming 2026 event. Photo credit: Friends of the Bergen County Zoo.

Costumes welcome, with a few practical checks

Dressing up is encouraged, but full-face costume masks and weapons are not permitted inside the zoo.

Only children receive trick-or-treat bags, a useful detail when setting expectations for a mixed-age group.

Choose comfortable shoes and an outfit that works for walking, then check the forecast before leaving.

An evening costume may need an extra layer, while families visiting in daylight can plan around their children’s usual energy and meal times.

The zoo is at 216 Forest Avenue in Paramus, within Van Saun County Park.

Use the zoo map and accessibility information to prepare for your visit rather than trying to work out every detail at the entrance.

The county’s zoo notice confirms that ordinary zoo entry is closed during Zoo Boo dates; only event ticketholders will be admitted.

Leave room for a good local afternoon

Animal sightings are not guaranteed, because animals may choose to stay in their indoor holdings.

Check the organizer’s website for postponement or closure announcements before setting out.

A manageable visit starts with one clear choice: a friendly daytime outing or an evening with a little more fright.

Buy the matching tickets, keep the rain date available, and let the Halloween atmosphere do the rest.