Families who want Halloween atmosphere without a full-scale haunted-house scare can close out October at ZooTampa, where Creatures of the Night returns for its final evening of the season.

Creatures of the Night runs Saturday, October 31, from 4 to 10 p.m. at ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

The event is designed for all ages and mixes Halloween entertainment with the zoo’s regular animal setting, giving families a way to spend Halloween evening somewhere festive without making the entire experience frightening.

ZooTampa says the 2026 version includes several new and expanded experiences.

One of the biggest additions is Scared of the Dark, a spooky realm created for guests who want a little more intensity. Families looking for something gentler can head toward Ghostly Groves, a walk-through haunted neighborhood built around a more playful style of Halloween.

Returning favorites include Dancing Dead, where zombies turn the night into a disco-style party, and the Enchanted Circle, featuring a living-fountain performance.

The advantage for families is that the night is not built around one single show.

Guests can move between characters, themed areas, entertainment and the zoo itself, which makes it easier to adjust the evening around younger children, older kids or adults who want different levels of spooky fun.

The zoo also promotes seasonal food and drinks during the event, along with optional animal encounters that can be added for guests who want something beyond the standard Halloween programming.

Because October 31 is the final scheduled night, expect it to be one of the busier dates.

Arriving closer to the 4 p.m. start gives families more time to explore before the evening crowds build and before younger children begin to run out of energy.

ZooTampa Members and Zoo Fun ticket holders receive admission to Creatures of the Night under the event rules, and reservations are not required.

For guests buying event admission separately, ZooTampa lists after-4-p.m. Saturday admission at $39.95. Pricing and availability can change, so checking the official event page before heading out is the safest move.

One practical detail: the event runs later than the zoo’s normal daytime hours.

That means families should plan for an evening visit rather than treating this like a normal zoo day that happens to have decorations.

Comfortable shoes, a stroller for younger children and a plan for dinner can make the night easier, especially if you expect to stay several hours.

Costumes fit naturally into the event, but parents should still think about Florida weather and walking comfort when choosing what kids wear.

A costume that looks great for ten minutes may feel very different after several hours of walking through the zoo.

ZooTampa is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, making it a convenient Halloween option for families coming from central Tampa, Seminole Heights and nearby neighborhoods.

For people who want a Halloween night that still feels like a special event but is less intense than Tampa’s adult haunted attractions, Creatures of the Night fills that middle ground.

It combines animals, costumes, themed entertainment and just enough spooky atmosphere to make Halloween night feel different from a normal zoo visit.

Official information: Creatures of the Night and the ZooTampa Oct. 31 event listing.