El Paso Zoo Announces Two Big Halloween Events for 2026

I don't care what the temperature outside says. It's September, which means spooky season has officially begun!

Okay, maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself. But September is usually when El Paso's Halloween calendar starts coming to life. Haunted houses start teasing their return, pumpkin patches start making plans, and all those Halloween events we look forward to every year finally start announcing dates.

And the El Paso Zoo is getting an early jump on the fun with not one, but two Halloween events this October.

Brew at the Zoo returns Saturday, October 17, for the 21-and-over crowd, while Boo at the Zoo takes over on Halloween Day, Saturday, October 31.

Kids get Boo, grown-ups get brews. Everybody wins!

Boo at the Zoo Is Back ON Halloween

I already love Boo at the Zoo, but the fact that it's actually happening on Halloween this year makes it even more fun.

Boo at the Zoo runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 31 and is included with regular zoo admission. Zoo members get in free.

This year's theme is Creepy Carnival, and the zoo is planning carnival games, educational booths, music, wildlife experiences, a costume contest and, of course, plenty of candy.

Boo at the Zoo has become one of those El Paso Halloween traditions that families can pretty much count on. It's spooky without being too spooky, kids get another excuse to wear their costumes, and you can trick-or-treat while hanging out at the zoo. What's not to love?

Plus, with Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, you could hit Boo at the Zoo during the day and still have plenty of time for trick-or-treating that night. That's a pretty solid Halloween.

The Grown-Ups Get Their Own Halloween Fun

Before the kids take over, though, the adults get a night at the zoo first.

Brew at the Zoo returns October 17 and is exclusively for guests 21 and older. The fun thing about this event is that it takes place in the evening, so if you've ever wondered what the Zoo looks like at night, this is your chance! Of course, costumes are encouraged!

This is the one I'm especially excited about because Brew at the Zoo has been on my “I really need to go to that” list for a while now. Every year I see it come around, think it looks like a blast, and somehow don't make it.

I'm thinking 2026 might finally be the year!

Considering we're only a couple of days into September, these two announcements feel like just the beginning. El Paso's spooky season calendar is officially starting to fill up, and I'm ready for the haunted houses, pumpkin patches and everything else October has waiting for us.