SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Potawatomi Zoo’s annual Halloween event will be Oct. 17 through 19 and 24 through 26.

Zoo Boo hours are 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 17, 18, 24, and 25, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 19 and 26.

The Zoo will be closed for regular admission on the days of the event.

This year, the Zoo will have themed character actors from Olivia Grace and Company at photo op spots and roaming the Zoo.

The first weekend theme is Heroes and Princesses, and the second weekend theme is Witches and Wizardry.

Regular admission to Zoo Boo is $16 for ages 15 and older, $14 for ages 2-14, and free for ages 2 and under.

Admission tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the gate.

Zoo Members can purchase discounted admission at the gate. Zoo Member admission is $12 for ages 18 and older, $10 for ages 2-17, and free for ages 2 and under.

All paid admissions will receive a ticket to trick or treat around the Treat Trail.

In an effort to be more environmentally conscious, the Zoo encourages visitors to bring their own trick or treat bag to put candy in.

“We look forward to Zoo Boo every year, and we’re really excited to offer two weekends of Halloween fun this year,” says Josh Sisk, executive director of the Potawatomi Zoo.

“There’s so much for kids and adults to do, like trick or treat, ride the spooky train, feed the giraffes, and even meet one of their favorite book or movie heroes.

Zoo attraction tickets are $3 per ticket, or visitors can use Zoo Attraction Passes.

After 5:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the Haunted Train route will have lights and scare actors, and it may not be suitable for all ages. The train will not have any scary lights or actors on Sundays.

Other Zoo Boo attractions include riding the carousel and feeding the giraffes. Giraffe feeding will be available on Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Concessions will be available at The Lodge, Farmhouse Café, and a few local vendors around the Zoo like Keim’s Elephant Ear Express, Randy’s Famous Kettle Korn, Sugar Rush, and Professor Butterbeer.

Costumes are encouraged for both children and adults but not required. No full-face masks are allowed on visitors 15 and older.

For the health and safety of our animals, some exhibits may be closed after dark.

Visit the Potawatomi Zoo website for more information.