Elmwood Park Zoo's Wild Lights is back for year two and it was more magical than ever! This is the second year my family has attended and, while we enjoyed ourselves last year, we were amazed at the changes they've made for the 2019 season! More than DOUBLE the lights- from one million to two. And not just any lights. We're talking huge, larger than life light installations; LED light shows playing on the side of the bird house, multiple walk through tunnels, an entire rainbow walkway wall.... It. Is. Awesome.
In addition to the lights you'll find a wide variety of entertainment options throughout the zoo. There are Christmas carol music videos playing on a drive-in movie sized screen set in the giraffe and zebra exhibit as well as rolling performances. Each night is different, but on our visit we saw a hula hoop performer, the hand bell choir, and a Frozen performance by Elsa and Anna which left my three year old speechless- we're still talking about how they hugged her! Zoo regulars will be happy to see the carousel and Butterfly Train are both up and running. Surrounded by lights, it made our carousel ride even more thrilling for the little ones than usual.
For those of us who like to stay on the warm side there are quite a few breaks from the cold. Crafting stations and exhibits are set up inside the Trail of the Jaguar and Wilderness Lodge. Santa's workshop is nice and toasty and your child will love telling him just what he's wishing for this year! Also new this year, Santa's visitors can get a professional 5x7 picture for just $5; larger photo packages are also available. Not to mention the gift shop where you can find hot beverages and holiday treats; I recommend starting with a hot chocolate when you get there. It'll be empty by the time you hit the Zoo Brew and can fill up with a holiday cocktail before watching the kiddos explore the Music Garden and rides!
If you are looking for a holiday light show, I highly recommend Wild Lights. My family had a ton of fun, there is something to see or something to do around every corner. Moreover, we left ready for the holidays; it's fun and festive and the perfect way to get into the spirit of the holidays! Mostly, we loved this year's event because it created a sense of magic for our daughter. From lights as far as the eye could see, to spying some of her favorite animal buddies, visiting with Santa, and of course the Frozen performance-- she was talking about it for days.
A few tips for your visit:
- Dress for the weather. While there are a few indoor spots, the vast majority is outdoors. Nothing will ruin a good time like cold fingers, so layer up and stay a while!
- Give yourself time. You'll need 1.5-2 hours to truly enjoy, take it all in, and visit with Santa!
- If you have little kids, especially if they're familiar with the zoo, frame your visit around the lights and performances, not seeing the animals like a typical zoo trip. While there are animal encounter opportunities and some friends are visible in their homes, many animals will be asleep for the evening.
- View the entertainment schedule ahead of time and plan your visit accordingly.
- But advanced tickets and skip the line at the door!
Wild Lights is proudly sponsored by Taphouse 23. Conveniently located in Bridgeport, it's close enough to the zoo to grab dinner before or after your Wild Lights adventure!
