If you love going to the zoo and looking at Christmas lights during the holiday season, why not combine the two? Each year, the San Antonio Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland complete with tons of animal-themed light displays. You can walk through an illuminated safari, have an undersea adventure with light-up jellyfish, and frolic with flamingos - all while sipping hot cocoa and listening to festive tunes.
The 54-acre San Antonio Zoo is gearing up for another season of Whataburger Zoo Lights, the wildest way to celebrate the holidays in the Alamo City.
This year, the event will run from November 19 until January 2.
Visitors will enjoy 12 different themed areas, from the North Pole to the all-new "Starry Safari" and so many more magical displays.
The animals have gone to sleep for the night, but the fun is just beginning! Fake snow rains down from above, trees are wrapped from tip to trunk in multicolored, shimmering lights, and giant snowmen welcome you into their winter wonderland.
Two 32-foot-tall LED trees are synchronized to festive tunes, and a spectacular light tunnel is perfect for walking through with a cup of hot cocoa in hand.
Kids from one to ninety-two will be utterly fascinated by all the holiday cheer around every corner.
Since it is a zoo, you can expect to see lots of animal-centric elements, including a 15-foot giraffe, light-up sea creatures, and more.
There are also camel rides for an additional $8 per person, if you're interested!
Explore the African savanna, get up close and personal with the flamingos of the rainforest, and embark on an underwater adventure - all in the span of an hour or two.
After you've seen all the lights, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy, such as roasting s'mores, decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus, and taking photos with Santa.
Brand new this year, the recently opened San Antonio Zoo train will take passengers on a holiday sing-along ride through Brackenridge Park.
The journey includes a special gift from Santa himself, and tickets can be purchased at the Train Depot.
Address: 3903 North St Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX 78212.
Zoo Lights is included with general admission, which starts at $29.99 for adults and $25.99 for children. Members and children under three get in free. Lights come on nightly at sunset.
Visit the San Antonio Zoo's website or Facebook page for more information and/or purchase tickets.
Have you ever attended Zoo Lights at the San Antonio Zoo? If so, are you going back this year? Tell us in the comments section below! Check out our previous article for another fun and festive event in Texas that will make your holiday season merry and bright.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!