Elmwood Park Zoo is set to transform into a dazzling winter wonderland as Wild Lights returns for another enchanting season. This festive event will illuminate the zoo's pathways, exhibits, and trees with millions of twinkling lights, creating a vibrant backdrop for visitors to explore.
During select evenings from November 21st through December 30th, the zoo will be alive with activity, featuring live entertainment, animal encounters, and seasonal treats that are sure to delight both kids and adults. Children can enjoy thrilling rides like the barrel train and carousel, while exploring the playground (weather permitting).
Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Santa at his Workshop, which remains open through December 23rd, and even participate in a new add-on experience called Cookies with Mrs. Claus, where little ones can decorate cookies alongside the beloved matriarch of the North Pole.
For adults, the zoo's outdoor beer garden and bar, ZooBrew, will provide a relaxing spot to unwind amidst the festive atmosphere. Other highlights include Character Greets, the Habitat HQ indoor space, and the Trail of the Jaguar exhibit, which remains open during the event.
Tickets for Wild Lights cost $26.95 for adults and $23.95 for children ages 3-12 (babies under 2 are free), with yearly members receiving a 50% discount. An Anytime Admission option is also available for $32.95, allowing visitors to enjoy the event on any date.
The zoo will host several themed nights, including Dog Days, which allow guests to bring their leashed pets for an additional ticket fee. Parking is free, and a complimentary shuttle will run between the main entrance and overflow lot during the event hours.
Despite the rain or shine forecast, the event will proceed as scheduled, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. With its unique blend of festive fun and animal encounters, Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo promises to be a magical winter experience for visitors of all ages.
During select evenings from November 21st through December 30th, the zoo will be alive with activity, featuring live entertainment, animal encounters, and seasonal treats that are sure to delight both kids and adults. Children can enjoy thrilling rides like the barrel train and carousel, while exploring the playground (weather permitting).
Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Santa at his Workshop, which remains open through December 23rd, and even participate in a new add-on experience called Cookies with Mrs. Claus, where little ones can decorate cookies alongside the beloved matriarch of the North Pole.
For adults, the zoo's outdoor beer garden and bar, ZooBrew, will provide a relaxing spot to unwind amidst the festive atmosphere. Other highlights include Character Greets, the Habitat HQ indoor space, and the Trail of the Jaguar exhibit, which remains open during the event.
Tickets for Wild Lights cost $26.95 for adults and $23.95 for children ages 3-12 (babies under 2 are free), with yearly members receiving a 50% discount. An Anytime Admission option is also available for $32.95, allowing visitors to enjoy the event on any date.
The zoo will host several themed nights, including Dog Days, which allow guests to bring their leashed pets for an additional ticket fee. Parking is free, and a complimentary shuttle will run between the main entrance and overflow lot during the event hours.
Despite the rain or shine forecast, the event will proceed as scheduled, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. With its unique blend of festive fun and animal encounters, Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo promises to be a magical winter experience for visitors of all ages.
this Wild Lights thingy sounds like so much fun! Like, who wouldn't wanna see their fave zoo lit up with millions of twinkling lights? And the animal encounters, rides, and seasonal treats are on point 
. I'm def checkin' it out with my squad 
this year, especially the Cookie with Mrs. Claus thingy 
- that sounds like a hoot! ZooBrew sounds like the perfect spot to grab a drink and chill 
. And hey, Dog Days? That's so cute! I'm totes down for bringin' my pup along 
. Ticket prices seem pretty reasonable too, esp with that Anytime Admission option 
. Definitely gonna make some magical memories at Elmwood Park Zoo this winter 
this year is gonna be lit! 
i love how they have a beer garden and bar for adults, its like the ultimate winter night out 
️ and who doesnt wanna meet santa's wife 
?! plus its only $26.95 for adults which is super reasonable 
i already got our tickets and we r gonna make a night of it with friends 
! who needs a white christmas when you can have wild lights instead? it's gonna be lit with all the twinkling lights and animal encounters... plus santa at his workshop? I need to get my kiddo in there ASAP! ZooBrew sounds like the perfect spot for me and hubby to chill while the kiddos enjoy all the festivities. tickets are a bit pricey tho 
I'm loving this idea of turning the zoo into a winter wonderland! It's a great way to get people excited about the holidays and spending quality time with family and friends. The addition of an outdoor beer garden is also a genius move - it'll be perfect for adults looking for a more relaxed atmosphere amidst all the festive fun. And who wouldn't want to meet Santa at his Workshop or decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus? 
they're gonna make the zoo look like a real-life snow globe but it's not just about the lights...i love that they got animal encounters and seasonal treats, plus a beer garden for adults is a nice touch 
. but overall sounds like a pretty awesome way to get into the holiday spirit 
. And don't even get me started on the crowds and long lines – ugh, can't we just skip that part? 
On the other hand, I love the idea of a beer garden amidst all the chaos... that's like, totally my jam 
️! And, omg, Cookies with Mrs. Claus sounds adorable 
. But, on the flip side, why do we need to pay extra for pets? 
Can't they just let our furry friends join in on the fun without charging us more? 
. And can we talk about how convenient that they're offering parking for free and a shuttle service? That's some serious thoughtfulness right there 
. Still, I'm not sure about the whole Dog Days thing... are we really gonna have to shell out extra cash for our furry friends to come along too? 
zoo is gonna get hella lit 
i love the idea of cookies with mrs claus 
kids will have so much fun exploring the playground 
while adults can relax and enjoy the atmosphere 
, especially since it sounds like a nice spot for adults to chill out amidst all the festive chaos 
. And omg, Cookies with Mrs Claus? That sounds so cute! 
. But overall, it seems like they're really getting into the holiday spirit at this zoo event 
it's like something out of a christmas movie! and can you even imagine strolling through the zoo on a cold winter night, surrounded by all the festive vibes and enjoying some hot cocoa 
I'm also low-key excited for Cookies with Mrs. Claus, I mean who doesn't love cookies and a fun holiday vibe? 
. People are gonna overheat in the outdoor beer garden with no shade and then complain about the rain 
. And don't even get me started on how crowded it's gonna be with all these people rushing around to meet Santa 
. And have you seen the prices for tickets? That's just ridiculous 
.
... I mean, who needs that many lights on a zoo? It's just gonna be too bright and overwhelming, like, can't we just have a normal night at the zoo for once? 
But on the other hand, I think it sounds kinda fun... especially for the kids 
. I guess it depends on how much you're willing to splurge... or not 
wild lights is like the best thing ever! can't wait to bring my kids there to see santa's workshop and decorate cookies with mrs claus 
but also, zoo brew sounds like a total game changer on a cold winter night...who needs a club when you have an outdoor bar? 
1.2 million visitors attended Wild Lights last year, and with the increased events and add-ons this season, we're expecting a record-breaking 1.5 million+ attendees! 
Plus, an average of 250,000 people will be visiting the zoo's beer garden every night, making ZooBrew one of the top spots in the city for winter festivities 
we r gettin cookies w/ mrs claus & meetin santa & ridin barrel train lol my little sis cant stop bouncin 
our family has a membership tho so we r savin $$$ yay! i heard its goin 2 be super busy tho so we might need 2 plan ahead 
rain or shine, ill b there w/ my umbrella & some hot cocoa 
that's just genius! ZooBrew is always a great spot to relax and unwind too. Can't wait to check it out when I'm in the area... any plans on dressing up as Santa or Mrs. Claus tho?