NASHVILLE EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
Howl‑o‑Ween at Forever Wild: A family Halloween where exotic animals steal the show
A one‑day, family‑friendly festival at Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary (10am–4pm) combining music, vendors, hands‑on activities and animal meet & greets — this guide tells you what to expect and how to plan.
Howl‑o‑Ween at Forever Wild: A family Halloween where exotic animals steal the show.
On a single October day the grounds of Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Nashville become part community festival, part wildlife backstage pass: music and food vendors frame pumpkin carving, slime‑making and giveaways while scheduled meet‑and‑greets — and the sanctuary’s headline Extreme Feeds — bring guests up close to exotic residents in a family‑friendly, outdoor setting.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Up close with skunks, alligators and headline feeds
Howl‑o‑Ween centers on animal interactions: scheduled meet‑and‑greets feature the sanctuary’s resident skunk and alligator plus surprise appearances, while the popular Extreme Feeds let guests feed a range of exotic species under staff supervision.
Music, vendors and hands‑on family activities
The event pairs animal programming with festival elements — live music and food vendors, pumpkin carving and a slime station — creating a carnival atmosphere that keeps families engaged between animal events.
Costumes, giveaways and surprises
Costumes are encouraged (with safety guidelines for a wildlife setting), giveaways happen throughout the day and the schedule is designed to deliver a steady flow of activities so guests can move between crafts, food and animal encounters.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
From the moment you arrive at Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary the day unfolds as a mix of staged programming and casual festival time: check‑in at the sanctuary, wander vendor rows and activity stations, join scheduled animal meet‑and‑greets or queue for Extreme Feeds, and return to hands‑on areas like pumpkin carving and the slime station between animal appearances.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most out of this event — and who should take care.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The event runs one day from 10am to 4pm; plan to arrive early for check‑in and to catch scheduled feedings and meet‑and‑greets.
Closed‑toe shoes are required; bring sun protection (sunscreen, hat), a reusable water bottle (water available for sale) and a printed or digital copy of your ticket/confirmation. Costumes are encouraged but must be family‑friendly and safe for a wildlife setting; bring cash or card for vendors and on‑site purchases.
The venue is fully outdoors with uneven terrain; guests with mobility concerns should exercise caution. Service animals are not permitted and those with severe animal or hay allergies should avoid the event.
Check in at Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary and have your ticket confirmation ready. Some experiences (like adult‑only feeds) require age verification (18+ with valid ID).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What animals are included in the Extreme Feeds?
All‑ages feeds include tigers, cougar, foxes, coyote, porcupine and monkeys. Adult‑only feeds (18+ with valid ID) can include lion, bear, hyenas, leopard and additional exclusive big cats. Each participant receives two pieces of food; availability may vary by day, weather or animal temperament.
Are there age restrictions for certain feeds?
Yes. Some feeds are open to all ages (see list), while specific feeds are adult‑only and require participants to be 18+ with valid ID.
Are costumes allowed?
Costumes are encouraged but must be family‑friendly and safe for a wildlife setting.
What should I bring to the event?
Bring closed‑toe shoes (required), sun protection (sunscreen, hat), a reusable water bottle (water for sale on site), cash or card for vendors and a printed or digital copy of your ticket/confirmation.
Is the event outdoors and accessible to everyone?
This is a fully outdoor event with uneven terrain; guests with mobility concerns should take caution. Service animals are not permitted due to the nature of the facility.
When does the event start and end?
Howl‑o‑Ween runs from 10am to 4pm on the scheduled event day.