Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium Ready For the Spooky Season

It's one of the great fall traditions here in Sioux Falls. The Great Plains Zoo is hosting Zoo Boo on Friday, October 17, and all day on Saturday, October 18.

For the first time, the Great Plains Zoo is offering VIP Friday early entry from 5 to 6 PM, for $5 extra, and on Saturday night, there will be a fire show. This year, there will also be a Sensory Hour on Saturday morning from 10 to 11 AM, for families who need a quieter Zoo Boo experience.

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You'll be able to explore the zoo, and of course, there will be plenty of treats from various vendor stations. You'll see hundreds of painted, carved, and lighted pumpkins, and you can even dance to the DJ in the Plaza and hang out with the Sioux Empire Ghostbusters. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged.

Here is the Friday, October 17 schedule:

• 5 pm: Zoo open to VIP Early Access ticket holders
  • Ages 2 - 12 receive a free glow stick and SFZA logo bag to collect treats in!
• 6 pm: ZooBoo open for general admission
• 6 - 7:30 pm: Sioux Empire Ghostbusters in the Plaza
• 5 - 8:30 pm: DJ in the Plaza
• 5 - 9 pm: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
• 8 pm: Final admission
• 9 pm: ZooBoo closes

This is the Saturday, October 18 schedule:

• 10 - 11 am: Sensory Hour sponsored by Empower U
• 11 am: ZooBoo open for general admission
• 11:15 - 11:45 am: Animal Meet & Greet in the Main Lobby
• 11 am - 2 pm: DJ in the Plaza
• 11 am - 2 pm: Characters from Simply Ever After
• 2:15 - 2:45 pm: Animal Meet & Greet in the Main Lobby
• 3 - 6 pm: Characters from Simply Ever After
• 5 - 7:30 pm: DJ in the Plaza
• 5:15 - 5:45 pm: Animal Meet & Greet in the Main Lobby
• 7 - 7:30 pm: 'Thriller Zombie Dancers in the Plaza
  • Lisa Myhre, of DANCE Ballroom & Studio, will teach a few moves from the dance.
• 7:30 pm: Popcorn in the Plaza & Picnic Shelter
• 7:45 - 8:30 pm: SD Aerial Fire Show
• 10 am - 7 pm: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
• 8 pm: Final admission
• 9 pm: ZooBoo closes

The Halloween fun continues at the Butterfly House and Aquarium on Saturday, October 25, when you can set sail on the Spooky Seas. You'll be invited on a Haunted Photo Scavenger Hunt, meet the Little Mermaid, and be able to check out the Haunted Shipwreck in the Exploration Den. And once again, family-friendly costumes are encouraged.

This is the Spooky Seas schedule for October 25:

• 10 am: Spooky Seas opens to the public
  • Receive a FREE treat bag while supplies last!
• 10 am - 3:30 pm: Haunted Photo Scavenger Hunt
• 10 am - 4 pm: Haunted Shipwreck exploration in the Discover Den
• 11 am - 2 pm: Meet the Little Mermaid during your Under the Sea adventure in the Aquarium
• 3:30 pm: Spooky Seas final admission

For more information on ticket prices, see the Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House & Aquarium.