Location:Throughout Zoo Grounds map

Description:

Experience a brand new light-time adventure for the whole family this Halloween at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. This fun and not-so-frightening event is an illuminated spectacle for all ages and like nothing you've seen before! 

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium will dawn about 400 larger-than-life lantern displays—creating the first experience of its kind in the country—as part of an all-new family friendly Halloween event, Ghouls & Glow presented by Veridian Credit Union, on September 27 – 29 and October 3 – 6, 10 – 13, 17 – 20 and 24 – 27.

~ Due to cooler temperatures, Animal Ambassadors will be located at Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Pavilion and Frankenstein Foam Zone will display a bubble party. ~

Lanterns, custom-made for the Zoo, will illuminate the Bay Family’s Children’s Adventure Trails. Visitors will encounter dancing skeletons, candy monsters, jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, wizards, spider web arches, sugar skulls with elements of nature, an eerie house, a mummy band and other friendly ghouls. A number of bats, vultures, spiders and black cats will also light up the trails.

Outside of the main lantern display, hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins will glisten along the Zoo’s pathways, as well as a 14-foot-6-tall pumpkin tree and themed lighting and décor provided by the Zoo’s holiday lighting partner, Holidynamics. Throughout the evening, Omaha Circus Arts will showcase their amazing acts of fire dancing, aerials, juggling and flow arts while Omaha Street Percussion returns with their popular percussion performances. Kids can even get foamed up at Frankenstein Foam Zone on the Desert Dome Plaza.

Visitors can also catch an animal ambassador program at the Dick and Mary Holland Meadowlark Theater, grab a bite to eat at Glacier Bay Landing or explore some of the Zoo’s indoor exhibits. See the nocturnal animals of Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night during their daylight cycles or watch the free-flying bats on the canopy level of the Lied Jungle®. Stingray Beach and Sue’s Wildlife Carousel will also operate during the event for an additional fee.

Tickets will be available for purchase online and inside Guest Services at the Zoo starting Monday, August 26, as well as at the door each night of the event. 

Event Dates:

• September 27 through October 27 
• This event takes place Thursday through Sunday nights only.

Hours of Operation:

• Thursday and Sunday nights 7 to 10 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday nights 7 to 11 p.m.

Ticket Prices:

• Thursday:
  • Member Child = $8
  • Member Adult = $11
  • Non-Member Child = $10
  • Non-Member Adult = $13
• Friday/Saturday/Sunday:
  • Member Child = $13
  • Member Adult = $16
  • Non-Member Child = $15
  • Non-Member Adult = $18

Zoo Member Event Admission

Zoo members must log in with their member number or card number to receive member pricing.

Non-Member Event Admission

Proceeds from ticket sales at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium special events will be allocated toward animal health, wellness and enrichment programs as well as furthering conservation efforts worldwide. Thank you for helping us to zoo more good!

In preparation for the event, Bay Family’s Children’s Adventure Trails will close for the season on Monday, September 9, 2019.

FAQ's

• Does this event replace Spooktacular?
  • Yes. Ghouls & Glow is a brand new experience replacing the Zoo's Spooktacular trick-or-treating event.
• Will there be trick-or-treating or games for little kids during Ghouls & Glow?
  • No. This event does not include a trick-or-treating aspect or games.
• Do Zoo members receive free admission to Ghouls & Glow?
  • There is a discounted admission price for Zoo members to attend Ghouls & Glow. Zoo members receive discounts to multiple Zoo special events, however this event is not free to members in an effort to keep initial membership costs down. Members always have a choice to attend these after-hours events at a discounted rate.
• Are Stingray Beach and Sue's Carousel included in the event admission?
  • A separate ticket is required in order to visit Stingray Beach or ride Sue's Carousel. Tickets can be purchased the night of the event at each attraction. These activities are added as a choice for event guests and therefore are not included in the initial event admission cost.
  • Zoo members receive a normal discount to these attractions. Patron membership ride benefits are not valid for after-hours special events. 
• Are costumes required?
  • No. While this event is themed around Halloween, costumes are not required, but are welcome! Face masks are not to be worn by adults.
• What age demographic does this event appeal to?
  • Ghouls & Glow is an experience for the whole family! There are elements of this event that will appeal to all ages.
• If the lanterns are located in the Bay Family Children's Adventure Trails exhibit, will people still be able to play in the treehouse and other activity areas?
  • No. In an effort to preserve and protect the Ghouls & Glow lanterns, guests are required to stay on the pathways of Children's Adventure Trails while in the exhibit. The treehouse and other play areas will used to display the lanterns. 
  • Please note, in preparation for the event, Bay Family’s Children’s Adventure Trails will close for the season on Monday, September 9, 2019.
• What Zoo exhibits will be open during Ghouls & Glow?
  • This event will include access to the following exhibits and activities: Stingray Beach, Sue's Carousel, Glacier Bay Landing concessions, Bay Family Children's Adventure Trails, Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Pavilion and the Lied Jungle®.
  • Please note the Lied Jungle® will close at 9 p.m. each night.