Atascadero Zoo Boo Returns October 23–24: Two Evening Events, Admission Information and What Families Should Check

ATASCADERO, San Luis Obispo County — October 24, 2026. Families interested in a less-intense Halloween event can attend the remaining Saturday program of the Central Coast Zoo’s Zoo Boo program on Friday, October 23, or Saturday, October 24. The city event page advertises two nights of activities from 4 to 7 p.m., making this one of the region’s immediate weekend options for children and caregivers.

What is Zoo Boo?

The city describes the event as a not-too-scary Halloween night at the zoo, with a choice of dates. The zoo is a local community attraction rather than a large seasonal theme park. Families should check the current city description for age guidance, animal exhibit availability, costume restrictions, parking, stroller access and whether any activities require advance registration.

Important: the listing says FREE, but the city press release gives ticket prices

The event listing displays a FREE label. However, the city’s more detailed October 4 announcement explicitly lists $16 regular admission per person per night, $15 for zoo members, and free admission for ages 2 and under. California58 recommends budgeting for a ticket rather than relying on the unexplained FREE badge. Check the organizer’s current purchase page or call 805-461-5080 before traveling; availability is not guaranteed.

Other events in Atascadero

The official October event calendar also lists a Pumpkin Smash at the Central Coast Zoo on Sunday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as a downtown Trick or Treat event on October 31. These are separate events; hours and tickets for one should not automatically be applied to another.

Plan a practical visit

Check current opening hours and access rules, especially if arriving near the end of the 4–7 p.m. program. Families traveling from Paso Robles, Cambria or San Luis Obispo should allow for traffic and understand that scheduled programming can differ between Friday and Saturday.

Primary sources: City of Atascadero official Zoo Boo event card and October 2026 event directory, reviewed October 24, 2026. Attendance, ticket purchases and on-site conditions are not independently verified.

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