INSIDE LOOK: Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa returns with NEW thrills in 2024!

Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa returns in 2024 on select nights through October 27 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

Get ready for a ghoulishly great night as ZooTampa transforms into a spooky whimsical place where clowns delight and creepy creatures roam.

This is one of our favorite Halloween events in Tampa Bay because it’s truly one that people of all ages can enjoy, whether you’re attending with a small child or checking it out for date night.

Related: Explore our favorite pumpkin patches in Tampa Bay, where you can explore a corn maze in Tampa Bay with the kids, and evenadorable fall festivals to celebrate the season!

So let’s get to it, friends! Here’s what ZooTampa says they have in store for you and your ghouls and goblins!

What's NEW at Creatures of the Night in 2024:

• The Merry Old Land of Oz: The endearing characters from L. Frank Baum’s children's fantasy classic “Wizard of Oz” come to life and interact with the youngest Creatures of the Night guests and their families. Meet Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and The Cowardly Lion, or face the Wicked Witch of the West and her Flying Monkeys. There is also an adorable photo opp with the balloon near the entrance by the games! Don't miss it!
• “They Are Here” Alien Haunted Trail: For centuries, the Testudians have been hiding in plain sight as reptiles and amphibians on Earth. Guests will join the Taskforce for Alien Protection to thwart the aliens' plans. During the highly interactive hunt, guests will complete tasks to stop the aliens' ability to communicate with each other and fend off the alien invasion. We explored the trail with a group of kids who ranged from about 8 years old to tweens and they loved it. This is up to the parent's discretion if you think you're child is ready. It's not super scary, but can be for some kids. It's definitely startling, so watch out!
• (REIMAGINED for 2024) Troll Cave: Legend has it that troll boogers are made of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. The Troll Cave is where a small band of playfully lovable trolls gather to do a bit of “nose-mining.” When they find the sparkliest jewels, they wipe them on the moss-covered walls. Guests who have not been enlightened to the beauty of troll boogers may believe that this bright and shiny cave is covered with precious stones…but it's ‘snot'. The trolls are so fun to interact with, so don't hesitate to stop for a chat and photo!

Returning Creepy Favorites in 2024:

• Vampire Ball: Instead of blood, Count Chirop and Countess Tera feed on fun and host a party made up of human and monster friends.
• Vikings Victory Party: This dance party features jock jams and victory anthems. Guests brave enough to join these barbarians in their celebratory revelry are ensured a rocking good time.
• Swamp Witch Way: ZooTampa guests courageous enough to seek out Blackwater Mattie for themselves may be lucky – or perhaps unlucky – enough to find her along Swamp Witch Way in the Florida’s Roaring Springs area. Though she’d prefer to be left alone, she does love to bargain, so make sure you have something to trade before you venture into her cursed territory.
• Howliday House Light Show: Guests can enjoy a colorful Halloween light show every 15 minutes in front of ZooTampa’s own haunted house.
• Spider-Queen Court: Are you ready to meet the Spider Queen and her Court? Join them for some Halloween fun and be mesmerized by the living black widow fountain.
• Twisted Tales: Enter the delightful world of fairytales and meet Mother Goose on Zoo Blvd.
• Clown Carousel: Whether you find clowns frightful or delightful, you won’t want to miss Carousel Circle, where a troupe of clowns have set up shop to play pranks on passing guests and smash a whole bunch of pumpkins.
• HooDoo Haven: Guests who dare to travel through ZooTampa’s Ituri Forest will find a Mardi Gras party festooned with flags and dripping with beads.

The Eerie Scale

ZooTampa is bringing back the Eerie Scale that will let you know how spooky an attraction may be. You'll find the signs featuring pumpkins at the entrance for each attraction and on the Creatures of the Night 2024 event map.

The scariest area at three pumpkins is the new They Are Here! The Battle Begins haunted trail.

Even More SPOOKtacular Entertainment and Animals:

Be sure you stop by one of the different chats and animal connections throughout the zoo. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the animals and even get up close and personal with them! There are 12 different attractions, 3 shows, and 15 animal experiences on schedule throughout the night, so be sure to grab your paper guide to Creatures of the Night 2024 when you arrive or explore this guide:

Animal Experiences at ZooTampa's Creatures of the Night 2024:

• 4:00 pm: Komodo Chat at Komodo Habitat, Asia
• 4:30 pm: Wildlife Connection at ZooVentures Theater, Florida
• 4:45 pm: Orangutan Chat at Orangutan Habitat, Primates
• 5:15 pm: Sunbear Chat at Subbear Habitat, Asia
• 5:45 pm: Baboon Chat at Hamadryas Baboon Habitat, Africa
• 6:00 pm: Shoebill Chat at Shoebill Habitat, Africa
• 6:00 pn: Wildlife Connection at Saunders Theater, Florida
• 6:45 pm: Tiger Chat at Tiger Habitat, Asia
• 7:00 pm: Wildlife Connection at ZooVentures Theater, Florida
• 7:30 pm: Red River Hog/Pygmy Hippo Chat at Ituri Forest, Africa
• 8:00 pm: Penguin Chat at African Penguin Habitat, Africa
• 8:00 pm: Wildlife Connection at Saunders Theater, Florida
• 8:45 pm: Goodnight Bear/Panther Chat at Bear/Panther Habitat, Florida Wilds

Entertainment at ZooTampa's Creatures of the Night in 2024:

• Lucilla Lumpkins Smashes Pumpkins: Near Clown Carousel: 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm
• Pirate Magician: ZooVentures Theater in Florida: 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm. 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm
• Black Widow Living Fountain: Outside Spider Queen Court: 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm

Don't miss ZooTampa mascots Manny T and Flora in their adorable Halloween costumes!

We loved it when Manny T came out dressed in his Halloween best! You'll see them through the night in the park. We spotted them in Australia in the Land of Oz for this cute photo op!

Quick Facts about ZooTampa's Creatures of the Night:

When is Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa? 

Creatures of the Night takes place on 13 select nights from September 27 through October 27 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Event capacity is limited. Date and time-specific tickets and reservations are strongly encouraged and the only way to guarantee admission. *If you had a ticket for Creatures of the Night that had to be canceled due to the hurricanes, it will be honored on other nights.

How much are tickets for Creatures of the Night?

General admission tickets after 4 pm are $34.95 on Friday nights, $39.95 on Saturday nights, and $29.95 on Sunday nights. There’s a $5 reservation fee for annual members and “Pay for a Day, Come Back All Year” ticket holders, which will be reimbursed upon entry in the form of a $5 voucher valid on the event night for food and merchandise on the night of the reservation.

Are costumes allowed at Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa?

Children 12 years of age and under are invited to wear their most spooky Halloween attire. For the comfort and security of all guests, anyone 13 years of age and up may not wear Halloween masks, wigs, face paint, or costumes of any kind. Toy weapons are prohibited regardless of age.

What kind of food and drinks is available at Creatures of the Night?

The ZooTampa chefs have been hard at work curating a spooktacular menu for you and the kids! In fact, there are so many awesome treats, that they've put together a Creatures of the Night Food Guide you can explore.

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets visit: ZOOTAMPA.ORG.

*Photos by Laura Byrne.