Celebrate Christmas at the “San Diego Zoo” and “San Diego Zoo Safari Park”, with two fun-filled events for the whole family.
By Andreina Longoria.
San Diego, Ca.- The magic of the holiday season returns with two fun-filled events for the whole family: Jungle Bells sponsored by the California Coast Credit Union at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo. Safari Park’. Both events will invite guests into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, festive music, and culinary delights, along with breathtaking wildlife experiences.
During the Jungle Bells event, the San Diego Zoo will be filled with spectacular seasonal sights and sounds, and this year marks the first time the new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp will be open for the festivities. The zoo will remain open until 8 p.m. for fun at Jungle Bells and through January 1, 2023 (except December 24, 2022, when the zoo closes at 5:00 PM and there are no scheduled Jungle Bells activities).
Highlights include a cappella quartet ‘The Tinseltones‘, sharing their unique musical arrangements of Christmas classics and providing dusting of snow to create a winter wonderland; ‘The Holiday Troubadour’, a traveling acoustic guitarist and singer; and the ‘Jingle Brass’. The ‘Front Street Toog Tree’ has been lit with lights choreographed to original Christmas songs to entertain visitors every 30 minutes during Jungle Bells nights.
Visitors can follow the ‘Holiday Forest‘ trail to walk through Christmas decorations with specially designed illuminated trees and visit polar bears and reindeer. Visit Santa himself to take a picture.
The inimitable Dr. Zoolittle gets into the holiday spirit as he tells his own whimsical, interactive version of the classic seasonal story: Dr. Zoolittle’s “One Wild Night Before Christmas.” During Toy Shop Hop, Santa’s acrobatic elves will show off their holiday magic with pirouettes and high jumps in an amazing display of skill and athleticism.
Visitors to the zoo won’t want to miss the nocturnal magic of “Aurora,” the popular twice-nightly show. The show weaves together 3D projection maps, music, and lights to highlight the beauty of wind, water, and ice. For a special VIP experience, guests can make reservations for a delicious pre-show dinner.
Wild Holidays invites the public to experience the wonders of the Safari Park with a special festive twist. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Safari Park, and that provides one more reason for a spectacular celebration. Visitors will be able to visit Santa Claus, the jolly old elf, for a photo op until Christmas Day, before he journeys back to the North Pole.
Wild Holidays is scheduled for December 17-23 and December 26-31, 2022; and January 1, 2023. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during this event. Wild Holidays festivities begin at 4:00 p.m.
Holiday activities are free with admission or membership to the Safari Park. Parking is $15 per vehicle; $20 per RV. Vehicle parking is free for Wildlife Protector members and higher membership levels. For more information, visit sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.
