Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa is bigger and brighter in 2024!
The holiday season is here, and ZooTampa is ready for its most festive and brightest Christmas in the Wild to date. Tampa’s favorite outdoor family holiday is lighting up the nights on November 29 and continues for 16 twinkling nights through December 23, 2024.
The Zoo has transformed into a holiday wonderland full of magic and cheer, with special animal connections and Signature Encounters, expanded light displays, festive entertainment, and delectable seasonal food and drinks.
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What’s NEW for Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa 2024?
Every year, the creative team at ZooTampa works on bringing your family NEW exciting ways to experience Christmas in the Wild and this year, they’ve put together some pretty cool events and photo opportunities made out of holiday lights!
- The Realm of the Nutcracker (in the new Australia Realm): Meet the characters from this cherished holiday classic: Clara, the Nutcracker, and the Rat King. And even join in on a dance party with the sugarplum fairies.
- Mrs. Claus Storytime (in Snowasis in the Africa Realm): Create unforgettable memories with the First Lady of the North Pole as she reads Christmas stories and sings Christmas carols.
- The Forest of Fantasy (at the entrance): There are two new light shows, with a total of four that will dazzle and delight every 15 minutes with holiday music, dancing lights, and even Florida ‘snow’! You might even get to meet the Snow Queen and her dancing snow fairies.
- Even more larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures: a wildlife journey in lights will be placed through the zoo for beautiful photo ops for guests of all ages. New additions include a manatee and her calf, a flamingo family, penguins, and much more.
- North Pole Lane: This is where you’ll find Santa and his elves along with the Tree Princess, holiday-themed games, shopping, snacks, and more!
Guests looking to give back this holiday season can stop by the Animal Giving Tree. Funds raised will support animal enrichment, which provides physically and mentally stimulating toys, activities, and environments that help enhance their well-being.
Additionally, the Giving Tree helps support ongoing veterinary care and daily nutrition needs for all of the animals, including sick, injured, and orphaned manatees.
Returning Favorites in 2024:
- Rockin’ Wreath: The Ituri Pass walk-through will be lined with interactive lite Christmas wreaths and playing your favorite rock ‘n’ roll versions of Christmas carols.
- Holiday House Light Show: Guests can enjoy a festive holiday light show playing continuously through the night in front of ZooTampa’s own holiday house.
- Snowasis: Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Guests can feel nostalgic with the entire family as they’re surrounded by 32 snow-flocked Christmas trees and hanging snowflakes making it a true winter wonderland.
- Ticky Tacky Christmas: Roaring Springs transforms into Tacky Christmas, where holiday decorations get silly.
- Randolph’s Reindeer games: Meet Randolph in person and play some of his favorite holiday games. (Pictured at top of post.)
- Holiday Signature Encounters: On all event nights, guests can make their evening even more magical by upgrading their experience with a Holiday African Penguin Encounter or a Holiday Indian Rhino Encounter featuring the opportunity to get up close to amazing animals.
- Gingerbread Jubilee: Join Mayor Molasses and the citizens of Gingerbread Village as they invite all of our guests to celebrate Christmas alongside them at an unforgettable jubilee.
- Illuminate: A calming area that highlights the beauty of candlelight with hanging lanterns and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
- Candy Cane Carousel: Embark on an unforgettable ride with red and white lights sprinkled all around the carousel for a candy cane celebration.
- Caribbean Christmas: Transport to the Caribbean with a festive display of colorful lights.
- Ice Cavern: The Africa tunnel transforms into a winter wonderland this holiday. Have your camera ready to remember the moment you step inside the cavern surrounded by glowing lights!
Essential Event Details:
- Christmas in the Wild takes place on 16 select nights from November 29- December 23, 2024
- Event dates are: November 29 (member night), Nov. 30-Dec.1, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 12-15, and Dec. 17-23.
- General admission tickets after 4 pm are $29.95 and are available in advance at zootampa.org. Zoo members and Pay for a Day ticket holders are free. No reservations are required this year.
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