An autumn zoo with a lemur, alpaca, pumpkins and glowing lanterns

Halloween at the zoo

Pumpkin October at Zoo Sedlec

Four weekends of animals, crafts and autumn adventures

10 October – 1 November 2026

During this period, we are open on weekends only.

Autumn 2026

Four weekends. A new story every time.

Zoo Sedlec is putting on its autumn colours! Look forward to pumpkins, Halloween decorations, photo spots, animal encounters and a programme for the whole family. We will open the monkey pavilion, put your courage to the test and end the season by lighting up the zoo together with lanterns and wishing boats.

During this period, we are open on weekends only.

Choose your weekend

Four weekends, four adventures

Come and enjoy autumn at Zoo Sedlec. Something new awaits you every weekend!

October 10 – 11

Opening the monkey pavilion

Our autumn programme starts with a celebration! Meet the residents of the monkey pavilion and enjoy the first pumpkin weekend at the zoo.

Weekend details

10Saturday 10 October

11:00
Grand opening of the monkey pavilion. Join the opening ceremony, meet its residents and chat with the keepers.
Throughout the day: animal photos, feeding talks, alpaca walks and pumpkin crafts.
Launch of the birdhouse and insect hotel building competition, with valuable prizes.
19:00
Trail of courage for children and parents. An evening adventure with mysterious stations, challenges and a reward for bravery. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
20:00
Trail of courage for adults. A spookier version for those who dare to explore the zoo after dark.

11Sunday 11 October

Meet the monkeys: keeper talks at the newly opened pavilion.
Family game “On the trail of mischievous monkeys” — search for clues and solve animal riddles.
Pumpkin carving, building birdhouses and insect hotels, and crafting together.
Afternoon announcement of the pumpkin of the weekend and awards for selected birdhouses and insect hotels.

October 17 – 18

Pumpkin festival and creative weekend

A weekend for little artists, grown-up makers and everyone who enjoys creating together.

Weekend details

17Saturday 17 October

Big family pumpkin workshop — carve a spooky creature, an animal or a cheerful pumpkin face.
Build bird nesting boxes and insect hotels for the ongoing competition.
“Find the lost pumpkins” game, with challenges dotted around the zoo.
Autumn photos with alpacas and in our decorated photo spots.

18Sunday 18 October

Little builders’ day — finish your birdhouses and insect hotels and learn about the animals they can help.
Family animal quiz with small prizes.
Exhibition of the weekend’s creations and a visitor vote for the most imaginative pumpkin.
Afternoon awards for selected birdhouses, insect hotels and pumpkin creations.

October 24 – 25

Animal mysteries and Halloween costumes

What can an animal track tell you? Who comes alive after dark? Can you recognise the zoo’s residents by their calls?

Weekend details

24Saturday 24 October

Costume day — come as an animal, a witch or your favourite spooky character.
Afternoon costume parade and competition for the most imaginative children’s and family costumes.
Animal detectives — identify tracks, sounds and other animal mysteries.
Pumpkin carving and another round of the birdhouse and insect hotel building competition.

25Sunday 25 October

Secrets of nocturnal animals — keeper talks about life after dark.
Family detective game with a junior animal detective certificate.
Make autumn greeting cards and decorations.
Awards for the weekend’s creations and the continuing exhibition of competition birdhouses and insect hotels.

October 31 – November 1

Lights, wishes and a farewell to the season

The final weekend of this season is a time for shared experiences, thanks and good wishes.

Weekend details

31Saturday 31 October — Halloween and lantern parade

All-day Halloween programme, pumpkin carving and photos in costume.
Last day to enter birdhouses and insect hotels in the grand final of the competition.
Creative workshop: decorate your own lantern.
Afternoon costume parade and competitions for children.
17:30
Lantern parade through the zoo. Bring a lantern with an LED light and help us light up the autumn zoo.
An evening gathering by the bistro and glowing pumpkins.

1Sunday 1 November — a remembrance farewell and wishing boats

The season’s final animal encounters, feeding talks and alpaca walks.
“My wishing boat” creative workshop.
15:00
Grand final of the competition for the best birdhouses and insect hotels. Announcement of the winners and presentation of valuable prizes.
16:30
Remembrance and thanks to the zoo’s founder, MUDr. Igor Šimek, at his memorial stone.
17:15
Wishing boats for a good cause. Float illuminated boats together on a designated area of water. We will announce the cause and how to take part before the event.
Official close of the 2026 season and thanks to visitors, staff and all supporters of Zoo Sedlec.

Weekend

What to look forward to every Saturday and Sunday

Animal feeding talks and fascinating facts about the lives of our residents.
Alpaca walks around the zoo.
Photos with selected animals accompanied by a keeper.
All-day pumpkin carving and decorating, with painting for younger children too.
A birdhouse and insect hotel building competition with valuable prizes.
Autumn and Halloween photo spots among pumpkins and natural decorations.
Children’s challenges, games and competitions with prizes.
An open bistro, refreshments and hot drinks.

Final on 1 November · 15:00

Build a home that helps

Children, adults and whole families can enter. Build a bird nesting box or an insect hotel during the weekend workshops, or bring a finished creation from home. We will judge the idea, craftsmanship and, above all, how useful it is for animals.

We will give out awards during each weekend. The overall winners will be announced on Sunday 1 November.

Detailed rules and the list of prizes will be published separately.

Zoo Sedlec

Before your visit

During this period, we are open on weekends only.

Times for individual feedings and animal encounters will be available at the entrance on the day of your visit.

Animal activities follow the keepers’ instructions and take the animals’ needs at the time into account.

Zoo tickets