Autumn Festival at San Diego Zoo Safari Park — Escondido, CA

Autumn Festival at San Diego Zoo Safari Park — Event Details

📍 Venue: San Diego Zoo Safari Park — 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
📅 Dates: Select Saturdays and Sundays in October 2026 (through Oct 25)
🕐 Hours: 9am-5pm (extended hours select weekends)
🎫 Price: Included with park admission; kids 11 and under free in October
👶 Ages: All ages
🚗 Parking: On-site / street parking — check the official event page for details
⏱ Plan for: 2–3 hours
🏢 Organizer: https://www.sdzsafaripark.org

🎃 Local Insight Ratings

Best for: Families with young kids who want Halloween magic without the scares.

💡 Know Before You Go

🎃 Costumes encouraged — most zoo events run costume parades or contests for kids.

🎃 Don’t skip the animals — many are most active in the evening; the nocturnal houses are the hidden highlight.

🎃 Buy tickets online — zoo Halloween nights routinely sell out, especially weekend evenings.

🎃 Arrive right at opening — treat stations have the shortest lines in the first hour.

🎃 Bring a stroller and layers — it’s a lot of walking and October nights get cold.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need zoo membership?
No — event tickets are sold separately, though members often get discounts or presale. Included with park admission; kids 11 and under free in October.

Is it scary for toddlers?
Not at all — zoo Halloween events are deliberately non-scary: lights, music, candy, and cute decorations.

When is Autumn Festival at San Diego Zoo Safari Park?
Autumn Festival at San Diego Zoo Safari Park runs Select Saturdays and Sundays in October 2026 (through Oct 25), typically on select evenings — check the zoo’s calendar for exact nights.