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

Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa returns in 2024 for 13 select nights from September 27 to October 27 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.  (September 27 & 28 are member’s nights only.)

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.

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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:

• “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.
• 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.
• 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 its snot.

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 event map.

“This is a family event, but we do have that scale to gauge what your family can deal with. So, one pumpkin means we’re not going to startle you, not going to scare you. It’s for everybody. Two pumpkins, you might have some fun spooks here or there, a couple of jump scares, but nothing too crazy. And, three pumpkins means we’re out there to scare you and that’s for our bravest guests,” Alex Crow told us.

Even More SPOOKtacular Entertainment:

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 17 animal experiences on schedule throughout the night, so be sure to grab your paper guide when you arrive.

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.

How much are tickets for Creatures of the Night?

General admission tickets after 4pm 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.

2023 Creatures of the Night Map at ZooTampa (We will update with the 2024 map once available. Use this as a general guide.)

INSIDE LOOK: Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa 2023: