Christmas Lights and Santa Claus at Chicago Zoos

Twinkling Lights, Exotic Animals and Holiday Magic for the Family

© Christine Nyholm

Nov 9, 2008
Lincoln Park Zoo, LPZoo
Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo get all decked out for the holidays with hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights. Santa Claus visits with kids for Christmas.

Christmas magic happens at Chicago zoos during the holiday season. A visit to the animals at the zoo is always delightful, especially when the grounds are decked out with hundreds of thousands of twinkling holiday lights. A visit to the zoo is a wonderful family outing for children and adults. Lincoln Park Zoo features ZooLights and Brookfield Zoo has Holiday Magic. Magically, Santa Claus will be at both zoos to gather children's Christmas wish lists. Visit the zoo this holiday season.

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

ZooLights is the Christmas spectacular at Lincoln Park Zoo. Lights decorate the grounds and Santa will be at the zoo for photos. Special activities include family crafts and temporary tattoos, the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, LPZoo Holiday Express train rides and the African Safari Ride. Park Place Cafe will have dinner and treats available. Do some holiday shopping at Wild Things.

  • A classic Santa Claus will be at the Kovler Lion House for a traditional photo with the Jolly Old Elf.
  • Cocktails, spiced wine and frosty beer will be available for the event.
  • A Truly Wild Ride is the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, featuring 48 artisan crafted carousel animals and two chariots. The menagerie of animals consists for rare and endangered species. Many of the endangered animals on the carousel are found in the Lincoln Park Zoo. $2.50 ride.
  • African Safari Ride is a safari simulator for the experience of encountering wild rhinos, cheetahs, elephants and other exotic creatures. Aa an alternative, travel into space aboard a rocket ship to visit the dinosaurs. $4 members, $5 non-members.

LPZoo Children's Train Ride is $2.

Admission to the zoo is free. There is a fee for parking.

ZooLights dates for 2008

  • November 28-38
  • December 5-7
  • December 12-23
  • December 26 -January 4
  • ZooLights hours are 5 pm to 9 pm.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is open every day and admission is always free!

Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614. 1-312-742-2000.

Brookfield Zoo

Holiday Magic features nearly one million twinkling lights illuminating the zoo's walkways, a dazzling Laser and Light Spectacular, live musical performances, magicians and ice carving demonstrations.

Santa at Brookfield Zoo

  • Breakfast with Santa is a child friendly buffet with music and costumed characters. Santa wwill join family photos and give holiday gifts to the kids. Seatings are at 9:00 am and 11:00 am on Saturday and Sunday, December 6,7,13,14,20 & 21, 2008. For additional information, call 1-708-688-8355, Registration and fee information is on line at the Brookfield Zoo website.
  • Santa will be at Brookfield Zoo to hear children's wish lists through December 21.

Many exhibits will be open so the family can see some of the zoo's favorite animals. The zoo's restaurants will be open offering full menus and holiday treats. Gift shops offer unique gift items for Christmas shopping.

Holiday Magic Dates

December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 26-31. Hours 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Zoo Admission

  • Adults $11.00
  • Seniors (65+) $7.00
  • Child (3-11) $7.00
  • Members Free

Brookfield Zoo is located 14 miles west of downtown Chicago, in Brookfield, Illinois.

Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513. 1-708-688-8000.

Information is subject to change.

Find Santa in Chicago Suburbs this Christmas

Santa Claus Visits Chicago Downtown for Holidays


The copyright of the article Christmas Lights and Santa Claus at Chicago Zoos in Illinois Travel is owned by Christine Nyholm. Permission to republish Christmas Lights and Santa Claus at Chicago Zoos in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Lincoln Park Zoo, LPZoo
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