Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa is bigger and brighter in 2025!
The holiday season is nearly 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 for 17 select nights November 28 through December 30, 2025.
The Zoo will be 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!
What to expect at Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa 2025?
Every year, the creative team at ZooTampa works on bringing your family NEW exciting ways to experience Christmas in the Wild, and this year, the event will shine brighter than ever with more than one million lights and enhanced experiences.
What's on schedule in 2025:
They put together some pretty cool holiday-themed events and photo opportunities made from holiday lights! Here's what ZooTampa tells us they have in store for us this year:
- Holly Jolly Circle: Kick off the holiday cheer and marvel at a stunning 30 ft. tall Christmas tree sparkling with thousands of brilliantly colored lights choreographed to seasonal music. Enjoy continuous light shows, snow and special appearances by the Snow Queen and her dancing snow fairies.
- North Pole Lane: Take a stroll down the GEICO Gecko Santa Blvd and meet Santa and his friends in a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, merry music, and unforgettable memories. Enjoy holiday treats, games with elves, write and send a letter to Jolly Old St. Nick, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, participate in holiday shopping, and more.
- Illuminate: The Ituri Pass in Africa transforms into a classic Christmas experience with brilliantly illuminated lanterns, magical stilt walkers, and a classical musician celebrating the beauty of the season.
- The Realm of the Nutcracker: The holiday classic story, cherished by audiences of all ages, comes to life during a modern dance party featuring Clara, the Nutcracker, Rat King, and the Sugar Plum fairies.
- Snowasis: Enjoy a family meal while surrounded by dozens of decorated snow-flocked Christmas trees in this winter wonderland. Don’t miss a photo opportunity with Pipsy the Penguin.
- Gingerbread Jubilee: Join Mayor Molasses and the citizens of Gingerbread Village as they invite all guests to celebrate Christmas alongside them at an unforgettable jubilee.
Ice Cavern: The Africa tunnel transforms into a frosted dreamscape featuring glowing lights and the occasional snowstorm. - Rockin’ Wreaths: Dance in Africa Circle to lively Christmas tunes played by an interactive DJ.
Ticky Tacky Christmas: Roaring Springs transforms into a land of tacky, where holiday decorations get silly, and the area comes alive with untraditional and silly Christmas music. - Candy Cane Carousel: Embark on an unforgettable ride with red and white lights sprinkled all around the carousel for a candy cane celebration. Then have an unforgettable encounter with Randolph the reindeer in his holiday barn.
- Caribbean Christmas: Transport to the islands with a festive display of bright pink flamingo lights and catch the Hymn-Prov show for holiday laughs and cheers.
- Africa Path: Take a joyful stroll along the Africa Path and be immersed in the holiday spirit, surrounded by majestic animals and the harmonious sounds of Christmas carolers.
- Larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures: A wildlife journey in lights can be found throughout the Zoo for beautiful photo opportunities for guests of all ages. Enjoy illuminated animal sculptures including a giraffe, a manatee and her calf, an elephant, eagles, a rhino, penguins, and much more.
- Merry and Bright Light Show: Enjoy a festive holiday light show playing continuously through the night in front of ZooTampa’s own holiday house.
- Holiday Signature Encounters: Elevate your evening by upgrading your experience with a Holiday African Penguin Encounter or a Holiday Greater One-Horned Rhino Encounter featuring the opportunity to get up close to amazing animals.
- 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.
Essential Event Details:
- Christmas in the Wild takes place on select nights from November 28 to December 30, 2025
- Event dates are: Nov. 29-29, Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-14, Dec. 19-23, and Dec. 26-30.
- Christmas in the Wild is included with General admission tickets. Tickets are available in advance at zootampa.org. Zoo members are free. No reservations are required this year. General admission tickets start at $29.95.
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