It’ll be easy to scare up some seasonal fun this October at the San Diego Zoo’s HalGLOWeen and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Autumn Festival—but your tastebuds will have nothing to fear, as these events offer a hearty helping of specialty snacks and sips as well. Here’s a sampling of the delights and delectables that await.
At HalGLOWeen, running Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, get your toes tapping right away to the Skeleton Band’s groovy, ghouly sounds on the Front Street Stage. And since shaking your bones calls for rib-sticking sustenance, shimmy over to nearby Safari Kitchen for Inferno Fries—a pile of hot, crispy french fries and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos smothered in nacho cheese sauce and jalapeños. Looking for still-savory but a little less heat? The Lagoon Terrace’s Cucuy Elote Pizza is a slice of heaven. If sweet is more your jam, the Sandwich Company’s Waffle Cone Chip sundae’s pumpkiny cool yumminess will hit the spot, as will the Front Street Sweet Shack’s Ghouls Hot & Eerie Funnel Cake.
No bones about it—the Skeleton Band knows how to get you up and grooving.
If you’re headed to the Australian Outback to see the kooky and acrobatic Spooky Revue, don’t be chicken—grab some golden crispy Trick or Treat Tenders from Sydney’s Grill. Over at the Boardwalk, you can toast Dusty Keys as he tickles the eerie ivories, and the Boo Crew Zoo Characters with a to-die-for Zombie Apocalypse cocktail.
You won’t forget your visit to Elephant Odyssey during HalGLOWeen, as the Dia de los Muertos Mariachi celebrate the season in glowing style with strolling musical entertainment. Sabertooth Mexican Grill will give your palate a pleasing little kick with its creamy and zingy Ghostly Elote, and Boo-Laquiles, a devilishly delicious dish that combines the comfort of the Mexican breakfast classic with the spice and crunch of nachos.
Want to scare away those hunger pangs? Sink your fangs into Busy Bee Café’s spicy, sauced Ghostly Heat Chicken Sandwich.
Find magical surprises around every corner at the new Enchanted HalGLOWeen Forest in the Northern Frontier at Polar Bear Plunge. To fuel you for this walk-through adventure, dig into a Forbidden Graveyard parfait from Treetops Bistro; or stop by Albert’s for a “spirited” sip like the fruit-infused The Raven, the Owl-Spresso Martini, and the tropically tinged Jackal-Lantern cocktails.
Over in Africa Rocks, wildlife trivia and HalGLOWeen fun are just what Dr. Zoolittle orders via the Tricks & Treats show. Should all those activities work up an appetite, venture down to Hua Mei’s Café for some Spooky Soup Dumplings or to the Bamboo Bar for a ginger beer-and-rum Dark & Stormy Cocktail.
Bounce on over to the San Diego Zoo's Outback and catch the Spooky Revue, a kooky assortment of wildlife-themed, specialty acts in this glowing and acrobatic variety show.
While heading to Wildlife Explorers Basecamp to enjoy the silly fun of the GLOW-Go’s and the arachnid acrobatics of The Spider’s W.E.B., getting there is half the fun—and the flavor! On your way to explore Python Path by the Reptile House, treat your fangs to a Spicy Serpent Pretzel at the Kettle Corn stand, or a sweet treat for grownups—the Howler Monkey Screamsicle—at Oasis Lounge. You can also sink your teeth into the Busy Bee Café’s spicy, sauced Ghostly Heat Chicken Sandwich.
There is more HalGLOWeen fun to be had (and eaten!) throughout the Zoo. Don’t miss out and risk “waiting-for-the-Great-Pumpkin”-level regret.
It's easy to scare up a good time at the Safari Park's Autumn Festival.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Autumn Festival takes a down-home approach to fall, and the seasonal treats and entertainment are top notch. Pumpkin and apple are the flavors to savor in October, with extra added country fun and entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays. What pairs best with the upbeat, modern country soundtrack of Safari Base Camp’s Safari Park Radio 197.2? How about the portable palate pleaser that is the Philly Mac and Cheese Fry Cone from Thorntree Terrace? One of Autumn Festival’s “Cone-a-Copia” offerings, this cheesy, meaty meal-on-the-go hits all the right notes. The nearby Whistling Duck Bar is pouring fall drink specials such as Apple Cinnamon Mule Cocktails and Oktoberfest Beer.
Prickly Pear Margarita Cocktails and Autumn Pumpkin Sundaes are among the Autumn Festival's seasonal treats.
The cool seasonal treat of a Caramel Apple Arctic Blast from Kalahari Cupboard is the perfect fuel to power you through the A-MAZE-ing Autumn Adventure hay maze and is a sweet accompaniment to entertainment by the Not-so-Scary Scarecrows, Autumn Festival Jamboree, and the bluegrass sounds of The Barn Owls. This classic fall celebration with a charming country flair also wouldn’t be complete without Mombasa Cooker’s decadent Autumn Festival Fudge Selections and the sweet-and-savory Chicken Waffle and Sweet Potato Fry Cone. Take one (or more) with you to enjoy during Reflections, a musical and colorful lighted journey around the world on Mombasa Lagoon. Other decadent and delicious Cones—including Garlic Bread, Barbacoa, and Pumpkin Spice varieties—are offered at eateries throughout the Safari Park.
Munching on the move is easy with one of the Safari Park's "Cone-a-Copia” selections.
The Autumn Festival’s other sippable specialties offer something for every taste—and temperature preference. From Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Safari Coffee Outpost and Autumn Pumpkin Sundaes and Appletini Floats at Kibo Cones & Snacks to Oasis on the Rocks’ Prickly Pear Margarita Cocktail (served in a souvenir cup), your seasonal drink choices runneth over. Oasis on the Rocks is also the perfect place to sip a signature cocktail and enjoy the relaxing sounds of Ash Meadows, the Safari Park’s new acoustic guitar and mandolin duo.
HalGLOWeen and Autumn Festival in October. Treats for all your senses. And the icing on the cake? Every purchase made at the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work. Visit sdzwa.org for more information.
