Spooktacular is the Utica Zoo’s premiere Halloween and harvest celebration with trick-or-treat stations, food trucks, vendors, LIVE entertainment, animals on walkabout, and the Twisted Fairy Tail Trail. This year, Spooktacular will be held on October 21 & 22 from 10 am to 3 pm each day! The zoo itself will remain open until 4:30pm both days. 

The Utica Zoo Spooktacular Harvest Festival is an all-ages event and costumes are encouraged. *Please note, inflatable costumes are not permitted on Zoo grounds.*

The cost to participate in Spooktacular activities is $4 plus Zoo admission and includes free parking with shuttle service from Payne Hall Parking Lot at MVCC and the Parkway Recreational Center. Zoo members receive free admission. Visit UticaZoo.org/Membership today to become a member. 

Purchase pre-sale tickets online until Sept. 20 at 8 PM to skip the line when you arrive!

Activities include:

  • 13 Trick r’ Treat Stations
  • The “Twisted Fairy-Tail Trail”
  • LIVE Music by Sydney Irving on Saturday 10/21 from 11am to 1pm
  • LIVE Music by Max Scialdone on Sunday 10/22 from 11am to 1pm
  • Special Performance by the Happy Haggs Dance Troupe of Central New York on Sunday 10/22 at 1pm
  • Magic Shows by Jim Okey Magic Comedy on 10/21 & 10/22 at 11, 12:30, and 2
  • “Spooky Science” by MVCC’s Future Engineers Club on 10/21 & 10/22
  • Demonstrations by Karate USA on 10/21 & 10/22
  • Food Trucks (see below for complete list)
  • Vendors (see below for complete list)
  • Informational Booths (see below for complete list)

Spooktacular FAQs

Spooktacular will take place from 10 am – 3 pm on Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22. All activities will be on zoo grounds.

Utica Zoo, 1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica, NY 13501

Adults (13+): $9
Children (2-12): $6
Babies (Under 2): Free
Utica Zoo Members: FREE!

Activity Card: $4
*Required for the trick r’ treat stations. 

There will be 13 trick r’ treat stations throughout the zoo that visitors are encouraged to stop by. There is no particular order so if one line is long, we recommend you move on to the next station and go back later. The volunteers at each station will mark your card when you visit them to collect your candy. Please make sure you visit the many other community tables located throughout the zoo as well!

 

Yes! Limited parking is available at the zoo. Overflow parking with free shuttles will be available at:

Utica Parkway Recreation Center, 220 Memorial Pkwy, Utica, NY 13501

Mohawk Valley Community College, 1101 Sherman Dr, Utica, NY 13501

Costumes are encouraged! However, please NO INFLATABLE costumes. Guests will be asked to deflate before entering the zoo.

Bags will not be provided so please bring a bag or basket to carry your treats in. Reusable bags are available for purchase at the Gift Shop.

Unless you have a certified service animal, please leave all pets at home! 

Yes! All stations will have separate bowls for nut-free candy. However, if your child has an allergy, please double check the ingredients of the candy before serving to them.

2023 Spooktacular Special Guests:

Food Trucks:

Rome Friend Dough/Oldies & Goodies

Vendors:

And Stuff of That Nature
Love, Craft, Crochet
Stacy & Dan's Book Nook
NerdZ ReZin
Julie Draws
Lovely Essentials

Additional Vendors: Martin's Menagerie, Martin's Nailhouse, & Dug's Delicious Treats

Entertainment:

Sydney Irving (Saturday ONLY)
Max Scialdone (Sunday ONLY)
Happy Haggs Dance Troupe (Sunday ONLY)
MVCC Future Engineers Club - "Spooky Science"
Jim Okey Magic Comedy

Sponsors:

Informational Booths:

Girl Scouts

Sponsorship opportunities are available. E-mail a.heath@uticazoo.org or allison.snyder@uticazoo.org to inquire.

Photos From Previous Years:

Whether you visit one time or are a loyal member, by visiting accredited zoos, you are contributing to valuable conservation programs both in managed environments like zoos, aquariums, and wildlife preserves; and also helping animals struggling to survive in disappearing wild places.

AZA facilities have a history of saving species, including the American bison, the golden lion tamarin, red wolf, Mexican wolf, and black-footed ferret among many others. More than 30 species would cease to exist without AZA-accredited facilities. AZA members are working to increase wild populations of species in our care through 117 reintroduction programs, including more than 50 reintroduction programs for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. Under our watchful care, these populations are being rebuilt.

Friday, August 18, Sunset Sips with Vinyl Logic has been rescheduled for Friday, August 25!

We apologize for the inconvenience.

For more information, visit uticazoo.org/sunsetsips