{"id":50964,"date":"2025-11-24T22:47:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T22:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/50964\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T22:47:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T22:47:11","slug":"wander-the-world-with-wonder-and-joy-at-bronx-zoos-holiday-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/50964\/","title":{"rendered":"Wander the World with Wonder and Joy at Bronx Zoo\u2019s Holiday Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate,\u00a0goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Wander the world with wonder and joy at the Bronx Zoo\u2019s\u00a0Holiday Lights,<\/a>\u00a0one of New York City\u2019s premier seasonal events.<\/p>\n

The Bronx Zoo\u2019s Holiday Lights celebration, which runs on select evenings from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026, features millions of lights and 400 lanterns representing with extraordinary realism and artistry 100 fauna and flora species that inhabit the Zoo as well as the global conservation projects the Wildlife Conservation Society supports.<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>Walk along six different Lantern Safari trails to see 400 lanterns representing with extraordinary realism and artistry100 fauna and flora species \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

Each year the event is enhanced and this year\u2019s includes new interactive and sensory experiences: the Freeze Zone features massive snow tube slides, an illuminated ice throne photo opportunity, talking snowmen, and a snowball wall where you get to toss virtual snowballs.\u00a0Enchanted Sea\u00a0returns with more interactive elements and new captivating puppetry, immersing visitors in a magical underwater world brought to life through play and performance.<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>Walk along six different Lantern Safari trails to see 400 lanterns representing with extraordinary realism and artistry100 fauna and flora species \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

The signature experience is the Lantern Safari \u2013 a truly enchanting journey on immersive trails through six geographic-themed regions \u2013 Africa, Latin America, Asia, North America, Ocean and the magical Forest of Color \u2013 where you encounter some 400 lanterns representing 100 animal and plant species that inhabit the Zoo as well as the real wildlife and wild places that the Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages the Zoo, works to protect.<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>The Bronx Zoo\u2019s Holiday Lights makes for a great date night! \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

You are amazed at the incredible artistry of these lantern animals, creatures, flowers, insects, in uncannily realistic (if whimsical) poses and configurations (some even have moving elements).<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>Explore the marine life of the Oceans ons one of six Lantern Safari trails \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

As you walk the trails, you hear the sounds of animals, insects and birds, while there is festive music as you walk along the zoo paths.<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>Wander with Wonder: one of the educators is ready to answer questions with hands-on materials \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

There are even \u201cWander with Wonder\u201d educators available to answer questions, labels so you know what you are looking at, and field notes, frequently with tactile displays, when your curiosity is piqued.<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>Take a ride on the Bronx Zoo\u2019s Bug Carousel, the first and ONLY carousel featuring an all-insect lineup. Choose from 64 different types of insects that you can mount \u2014 including fireflies, beetles, grasshoppers, and ladybugs. There are also two stationary chariots: a monarch butterfly (wheelchair accessible) and a dung beetle. \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.c<\/p>\n

There are also many opportunities for entertainment and engagement \u2013 a towering holiday tree with music and light performances (look for the animals that appear on the tree!), nightly ice-carving demonstrations, Wildlife Theater puppet adventures, s\u2019mores roasting over fire pits, holiday treats and drinks, an amazing Bug Carousel (64 different insects to ride!), and a Holiday Train. (The Holiday Train ride is an extra $3).<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>Puppeteers with illuminated animals bring special delight to the Bronx Zoo\u2019s Holiday Lights \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

None of the zoo\u2019s live animals are out and about (they are sleeping), then again, you might count the illuminated stilt performers and puppeteers who bring added delight among the \u201clive animals\u201d who inhabit the zoo.<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a><\/p>\n

\nIlluminated stilt walkers entertain and are happy to pose for photos \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com\n<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>The Bronx Zoo\u2019s Victorian structures provide a perfect backdrop for Holiday Lights \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

Holiday Lights occupies 12 of the Bronx Zoo\u2019s 265 acres of hardwood forest \u2013 an oasis of wilderness amid the Bronx\u2019s urban landscape \u2013 and is home to 10,000 animals. I love wandering and seeing the Victorian vestiges of the zoo\u2019s glorious history, dating back to Nov. 8, 1899.<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>\u201cBronx Zoo Holiday Lights has become a New York tradition, where people come out to experience and enjoy the zoo in a different way at night,\u201d Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and EVP of WCS Zoos & Aquarium, says as he switches on the lights.\u00a0 \u201cThe annual tradition is a meaningful way for us to engage community members with WCS\u2019s mission while celebrating the season together.\u201d \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to be a holiday destination for so many families and to offer an even bigger Holiday Lights program this year,\u201d said Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and EVP of WCS Zoos & Aquarium, switching on the lights on opening night. \u201cBronx Zoo Holiday Lights has become a New York tradition, where people come out to experience and enjoy the zoo in a different way at night. The annual tradition is a meaningful way for us to engage community members with WCS\u2019s mission while celebrating the season together.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thanked Con Ed\u2019s partnership and support. \u201cWe wouldn\u2019t be able to do this without ConEd as a partner,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>The Holiday Train is a favorite added attraction at Bronx Zoo\u2019s Holiday Lights \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

You can visit in one hour, but to really enjoy, expect to spend two or three (especially if you visit when crowded, when some of the activities might involve queuing up like for the carousel. (Note: there are no special tickets or cost for the special activities except for the festive Holiday Train ride, an extra $3.)<\/p>\n

Event dates:\u00a0Nov. 21-23, Nov. 28-30, Dec. 4-7, Dec. 11-14, Dec. 18-23, Dec. 26-31, Jan. 2-4<\/p>\n

The event is rain or shine and tickets are date-specific, but you can pay extra for an \u201cany night\u201d ticket. Take advantage of a 20% discount through November 21. (Members get 40% off the ticket and discount on any night tickets).<\/p>\n

\"NYC<\/a>Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights offers many ways to interact and engage \u00a9 Karen Rubin\/goingplacesfarandnear.com<\/p>\n

Tickets:\u00a0General public tickets start at $26.95, with flexible Any Night ticket options available. General admission is $41.95 for adults, $36.95 for seniors, and $26.95 for children ages 3\u201312. Tickets are available on line,\u00a0BronxZoo.com\/Holiday-Lights<\/a>,<\/a><\/p>\n

Ticket sales for Holiday Lights start at 3 pm. Lights go on and lantern trails open at 4:30 pm. If you arrive at the zoo before 4:30 pm, you have some time to visit animal exhibits before they close for the day, promptly at 4 pm. You can then stay to see the park transform and light up during the sunset transition (but you need the separate Holiday Lights ticket to stay). The Bug Carousel, Dancing Crane Cafe and Bronx Zoo store are all open to enjoy from daytime through night.<\/p>\n

Holiday Lights and other special seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo, Harvest Glow, Brew at the Zoo, not only help educate visitors in such a fun, engaging and accessible way about the animals in WCS care at the zoo, but inform about the importance of conservation of biodiversity to our own preservation and help fund WCS\u2019 important conservation efforts well beyond New York City\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n

WCS Members enjoy exclusive benefits, including 40% off special event tickets throughout the season and three free preview nights. Conservation-level Members receive free admission to Holiday Lights (a 20% discount on memberships going on now has been extended past November 30).<\/p>\n

Membership packages also include year-round admission to all five WCS parks \u2013 Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Bronx Zoo, and New York Aquarium) while supporting wildlife conservation efforts worldwide.\u00a0View membership options<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Bronx Zoo, located on 265 acres of hardwood forest in Bronx, NY, opened on Nov. 8, 1899. It is world-renowned for its leadership in the areas of animal welfare, husbandry, veterinary care, education, science and conservation. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is the flagship park of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) which manages the world\u2019s largest network of urban wildlife parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium. Curators and animal care staff work to save, propagate, and sustain populations of threatened and endangered species. WCS has educated and inspired more than 400 million visitors at its zoos and aquarium and host some 4 million guests, including 500,000 students, at the parks each year. The Bronx Zoo is the largest youth employer in the borough of the Bronx, providing opportunity and helping to transform lives in one of the most under-served communities in the nation. The Bronx Zoo is the subject of THE ZOO, a docu-series aired world-wide on Animal Planet.<\/p>\n

Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blv.d, Bronx, NY 10460, 718-220-5100,\u00a0https:\/\/bronxzoo.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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