Howl-o-ween: Dog Day at the Zoo

About this event

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Paw-rchase tickets here!

Bring your favorite pup to the Zoo for a howling good time at Howl-o-ween: Dog Day at the Zoo! Dog lovers and their well-behaved canine companions are invited to explore the Zoo together and enjoy festive Halloween fun. Pups will be treated to new sights, smells, and sounds along side their people while also providing enrichment to the Zoo’s animals. Guests are encouraged to dress their dogs in their best Halloween costumes and enter our dog costume contest for a chance to win prizes.

For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, dogs must be well-trained and current on required vaccinations. Dogs behaving in an unruly or aggressive manner (i.e. excessive barking, growling, lunging, biting, etc.) will be required to leave without a refund.

*NEW DATE* Canine advanced registration required by October 28.

Event Map

Activities & Schedule

Included with your ticket:

4:30pm: Dog costume contest in Fountain Plaza Dress up your furry companion in their Halloween costume! Winners will be determined under the following categories: Best Group/Family (with dog)

Best Individual (dog)

3 – 5:30pm: Asia: Trail of the Tiger and African Safari Trail open

Donation Drive for the Norfolk Animal Care Center (NACC) Guests who donate items from the NACC’s donation list will receive a raffle ticket with the chance to win a basket from our participating vendors! Items include a raffle basket filled with dog-friendly items.

Raffle basket drawing will take place at 5:30pm – you must be present to win!

Dog Agility Course demos with Dogtopia in the Event Field Note: Dogs will remain on leash for this activity.

Halloween-Themed Scent Trail in Animal Wellness Campus Dogs can sniff unique scents that they wouldn’t normally encounter on their daily walks to make their Howl-o-ween experience extra special.

Available for an additional cost:

Exclusive dog Zoodoption Packages featuring a Burmese python, two-toed sloth, yellow-footed tortoise, or red fox toy inside

Virginia Zoo Gift Shop Sale: 20% off dog merch, including bandanas, toys, leashes, and collars *Dogs ARE allowed in the Gift Shop, please ensure your dog doesn’t go to the bathroom inside the shop

3 – 5:40pm: Virginia Zoo Express Train open (only service dogs allowed on train)

Vendors

$ = Additional cost

Norfolk Animal Care Center

Care-a-Lot Pet Supply

RUBYSTARART (pet portraits) ($)

Salty Paws Chics Beach

Dogtopia

Parti Pups LLC ($)

Moondog Bakery ($)

Earthwise Pet Nutrition Center

The Wild One Project

Muddy Paws

Snip Squad

Food & Drinks ($)

Cool Concessions 757 located in Fountain Plaza

3 – 4pm: African Village Restaurant open

💲 Ticket Prices 💲

Tickets on sale to members starting September 4. Tickets on sale to the public on September 11.

Please note, prices may increase as the event date nears, so don’t wait — early birds get the best deal!

🐾 Dog ticket: $18

🐾 Member Adult (18+): $8

🐾 Member Child (2-17): $8

🐾 Non-Member Adult (12+): $18

🐾 Non-Member Child (2-11): $13