Fall is here and so is the Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest! Lincoln Park Zoo is gearing up to celebrate the season with its annual Fall Fest event, which kicks off on Sept. 30 and continues weekends through Oct. 30, 2022.
People of all ages are welcome to attend this free annual event at the zoo, which is located in the heart of Chicago and has been a local gem for more than 150 years.
During Fall Fest, find everything from pumpkin walks to slides to animal enrichment programs — plus the 65-foot Ferris wheel, which returns this year and is a ride you should definitely try, says Gretchen Kirchmer, Director of Marketing and Events at Lincoln Park Zoo.
“You can go up in the Ferris wheel, view the zoo from above and get to see the whole city skyline as the leaves change across Chicago. It’s an amazing experience you should not miss,” she says.
Want to know what else to expect from this year’s Fall Fest? Read on for all the festive details.
Fun for all ages
From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, plus Monday, Oct. 10, people of all ages can experience all the exciting things the zoo has to offer this time of year. Pick pumpkins, ride the super-size slide or mini disco racecar, trek through the harvest maze, catch a performance by Mary Macaroni and the Impastas (3-5 p.m. Sundays), and enjoy animal enrichment, which happens daily during the event between 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, watch live professional pumpkin carvers make their very own masterpieces. Stilt walkers will be making their way through the zoo between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. every Friday, plus Monday, Oct. 10. Watch Mexican folk dancing noon-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, too.
“Come any weekend day throughout the month for different programs, entertainment, and seasonal fun,” Kirchmer says. “We’ll have everything from story times to cultural activities and a fall food pop-up at Patch’s Bar & Grill.”
While the event is free to attend, there are fees for the attractions below:
- AT&T Endangered Species Carousel (1 ticket per person): featuring 48 artisan-crafted wooden animals and two chariots to ride on.
- Ferris Wheel (2 tickets per person): Enjoy the beautiful views from up high.
- Fun Slide (1 ticket per person): Whoosh down the slide with your kiddos!
- Lionel Train Adventure (1 ticket per person): Hop aboard the 28-passenger train for a ride through the zoo.
- Mini Disco Racecar Ride (1 ticket per person): Race to your favorite retro disco tunes.
- Pumpkin Walk (1 ticket per person): Stroll through the pumpkins and fall décor, plus snag some Insta-worthy pics along the way.
- Harvest Maze (1 ticket per person): You’ll catch a glimpse of the Swan Pond and beautiful gardens along the maze.
- Pumpkin Patch Pop-up (1 ticket per person): Pick your pumpkins right at the zoo.
Purchase one ticket for $4, 10 tickets for $36 or 20 tickets for $69. Tickets can be pre-purchased at the time of registration.
Other special ticketed events include the Haunted History Tours, which are for ages 16-plus and take place at the following times:
- Tuesdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18 & 25: 7-10:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays, Oct. 5, 12, 19 & 26: 7-10:30 p.m.
Stop by 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 for the all-age Spooky Zoo. Or, leave the kiddos at home to attend the Adults Night Out: Howl-o-ween event, which is for ages 18-plus and takes place 6:30-10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Additional details
Members can enjoy additional benefits, discounted or free parking and attraction tickets, depending on their membership level. Find more information on memberships by visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo’s website.
No outside food is allowed, so leave those extra snacks at home. Fall Fest is rain or shine so it is recommended to plan accordingly.
Registration is not required but all guests can sign up on Eventbrite to learn more about programming throughout the event and be entered to win attraction ticket packages.
For more information, or to register for this year’s Fall Fest, visit the Lincoln Park Zoo’s website.
