Little Rock Zoo holds annual Howl-O-Ween event

Families heading to the Little Rock Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 31, can experience daytime Halloween festivities during the annual Howl-O-ween event, KATV reported.

Operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last admission at 3:30 p.m., the event bundles all seasonal programming into regular daytime zoo admission prices. Joy Matlock, the zoo’s marketing and development director, explained that the gathering offers more than just entertainment.

“We want people to come out and have a great time at the zoo because it is a family gathering space,” Matlock told KATV, noting that the programming introduces visitors to animals often linked to spooky lore and highlights their ecological importance.

Activities, Character Visits, and Costume Guidelines

Visitors can participate in several scheduled events across the park grounds. Happily Ever After characters will greet families and pose for photos in the plaza from 10 a.m. to noon.

Little Rock Zoo holds annual Howl-O-Ween event

Costume contests are scheduled for 10.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Civitan Pavilion. Participants can walk the “Scaredy Cat Carpet” to display their outfits and compete for prizes.

Children and adults alike are encouraged to wear costumes, though the zoo enforces specific safety rules. Adults are prohibited from wearing costume masks or covering their faces. Additionally, Matlock asked visitors to avoid outfits featuring offensive names or language.

Admission Pricing and Evening Transitions

Daytime admission costs $12.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 3 and older. Visitors presenting a SNAP or EBT card qualify for reduced $2 tickets alongside free parking.

The zoo gates close at 4 p.m. before reopening at 5 p.m. for GloWild, a separate nighttime lantern exhibition requiring its own ticket for guests ages 3 and up.

This weekend marks the opening of the GloWild event, which arrives earlier than previous years when it typically launched during the first week of November. The nighttime setup features large lantern displays, live music, tarot card readings, and food concessions such as nachos and corn dogs.