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The Bronx Zoo is truly a magical place during the holiday season! Let there be light at the Bronx Zoo! Join in the Bronx Zoo’s celebration of the holiday season with beautiful lights, seasonal treats, festive entertainment and classic holiday music It will go from now until January 4, 2026.
As the sun slowly sinks in the horizon, the Bronx Zoo comes to life with custom designed animal lanterns, immersive light displays and animated light shows. This walk through experience is enchanting and fun for the entire family, the young and the young at heart.
Journey on an illuminated safari. An awesome display of beautiful lights will stretch before you. Marvel at this wild wonderland of lanterns and lights.
Over 260 lanterns are sculptured into nearly 70 animals and plants. 30 new animal species made up of 79 new lanterns will make their debut this year.
Africa
- Giraffes
- Lions
- Okapi
- Cheetahs
- Zebras
- Lemurs
- Gorillas
- Chimpanzees
- African Gray Parrots
Latin America
- Macaws
- Jaguar
- Crocodile
- Flamingos
- Puma
- Anaconda
- Elephant seals
- Guanacos
- River Turtles
- Spider Monkeys
North America
- Polar Bears
- Wolverine
- Moose
- Brown Bears
- Prairie Dogs
- Caribou
- Wolves
- Trumpeter Swans
- Bison
- Golden Eagles
- Walrus
Asia
- Rhinos
- Elephants
- Snow Leopard
- Markhor
- Tigers
- Hornbills
- Pangolin
- Monkeys
- Leopards
Ocean
- Sea Turtles
- Corals
- Penguins
- Dolphins
- Sea Lions
- Nurse Sharks
- Spotted Rays
Millions of lights plus hundreds of wildlife lanterns have been spread across six lantern trails. These trails represent almost 100 animal and plant species that the Zoo staff works to protect.
New in 2025 is the Freeze Zone.. This will have new interactive experiences. Have fun on a snow tube slide. There will be an illuminated ice themed throne and a snowmen photo op. And you can enjoy virtual snowballs to throw.
You’ll also see lanterns representing frogs, butterflies, snails, moths, sunbirds and more. The animals and plants in the Forest of Color show that some of the tiniest of creatures can display some of the brightest colors.
There will be nightly ice carving demonstrations. Watch as expert ice artists create wildlife art from huge blocks of ice. You can also watch Ice Carving Competitions.
The Wildlife Theater will present family friendly puppet adventures. Compete in animal trivia challenges.
You’ll see costumed animal characters. Marvel at the amazing animal themed stilt walkers. Be sure to bring a camera. There will be an abundance of Instagram worthy photo ops.
Classic holiday music will be playing throughout the evening. Take a ride on the Holiday Train that travels through the Zoo.
Enjoy Play with Light! Dance, touch, and draw, using interactive glowing walls, shimmering flowers and colored stepping stones. Get into the spirit of the season with snow and bubble machines!
The Enchanted Sea has returned by popular demand! The Schiff Family Great Hall has LED swings and interactive floor projections. You’ll see ocean themed interactive light panels creating patterns that imitate ocean life. There will also be a jellyfish celebration in lights.
At Astor Court, a towering holiday tree features synchronized holiday musical light performances. The Light Tunnel will dazzle you with animal themed light shows.
You’ll encounter amazing animal themed illuminated performers. These are great for family photo ops and are fun to watch.
Should you get hungry while seeing the sights, the Zoo has seasonal treats available for purchase. Enjoy hot cocoa, roasted marshmallows, ice cream, coffee, warm apple cider, peppermint bark, eggnog, pumpkin pie, rice crispy treats, apple cobbler, and more. Adults (21+) can choose to spike their drinks with Rum, Irish Cream, Whiskey or Kahlua. They also have s’mores featuring creative toppings.
You can come for the animals and stay for the lights. Arrive at the Zoo at 3 pm and your Holiday Lights ticket will let you experience a full hour of seeing your favorite animals before the park is transformed into a winter wonderland. During the next hour, you can shop in the store at the Bronx Zoo, get something to eat or drink or enjoy the activities in the new Freeze Zone.
Coupon
Are you looking for a way to save money on the Holiday Lights? Buy your ticket here and you can save $4 (10% discount) on each ticket.
