jungle bells

Jungle Bells

December 9, 2022 through January 1, 2023*

 

The magic and the spirit of the holiday season return! The Zoo lights up the night until 8 p.m. (*except December 24) with amazing entertainment featuring the spectacular show, Aurora. Bring the family and enjoy some tasty treats and the warmth of the holidays.

Jungle Bells is included with all admission tickets and memberships.

Learn more about Cal Coast Credit Union, our partner in conservation

 

FRONT STREET

Jingle brass

Jingle Brass

  • 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. (25 minutes)
  • Front Street Stage

The brass musical ensemble will get guests in the holiday spirit, as they play holiday favorites throughout the evening.

Reindeer Games

Reindeer Games

  • 5, 6, and 7 p.m. (25 minutes)
  • Front Street Stage

Join in on all of the interactive fun, as kids of all ages take part in holiday games and dances that get them into the spirit of the season and up on their feet. 

Celebration of lights

Celebration of Lights

  • 4:55, 5:25, 5:55, 6:25, 6:55, 7:25, and 7:55 p.m. (5 minutes)
  • Toog Tree

The Front Street Toog Tree is lighted and choreographed to a holiday soundtrack, bringing the season to life every 30 minutes during Jungle Bells. 

WILDLIFE EXPLORERS BASECAMP

juggler

Jack Frost Juggler

  • 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. (30 minutes)
  • Wildlife Explorers Basecamp – Roaming

The prince of winter shows off his amazing skills by juggling snowballs and icicles, as he brings a little magical winter chill to the air at Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.

OUTBACK

Holiday Friends

Dr. Harry & His Holiday Friends

  • 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. (25 minutes)
  • Boardwalk Beer Garden

Meet Santa’s favorite helpers—friendly Zoo characters Dr. Harry Lion, Churchill Polar Bear, Sydney Koala, and all their friends—as they pose for holiday photos and spread the cheer of the season. 

The Tinseltones

The Tinseltones

  • 5:15, 5:45, 6:15, and 6:45 p.m. (20 minutes)
  • Boardwalk Beer Garden

The a cappella quartet will bring their unique arrangements of holiday classics to the Boardwalk stage to delight guests—and bring a dusting of holiday magic to the area, creating a winter wonderland.

snow family

Snow

  • 5:35, 6:05, 6:35, and 7:05 p.m. (5 minutes)
  • Boardwalk Beer Garden

During the last 5 minutes of the Tinseltones' 4 performances, a dusting of "snow" brings holiday magic to the Zoo's Boardwalk Beer Garden.

URBAN JUNGLE

Acrobats in elf costumes

Toy Shop Hop

  • 3, 4, 5, and 6 p.m. (15 minutes)
  • Sydney’s Grill

Santa’s acrobatic elves show off their bouncing and high-flying holiday magic in this amazing display of skill and athleticism.

AFRICA ROCKS

Dr. Zoolittle

Dr. Z's One Wild Night Before Christmas

  • 3:45, 4:45, 5:45, and 6:45 p.m. (20 minutes)
  • Rocks Box Stage

The inimitable Dr. Z gets in the holiday spirit by telling his own zany, interactive version of this classic story.

NORTHERN FRONTIER

Reindeer standing on snow

Northern Frontier

  • Until 8 p.m.  (Continuous)
  • Polar Bear Plunge

Follow this festive forest pathway to trek through holiday décor and specially designed, lighted trees to visit polar bears and reindeer. It’s a great holiday photo opportunity! 

LOST FOREST 

santa

Santa’s Factory

  • Noon to 4 p.m. November 25–27, December 3–4, and December 24
  • Noon to 8 p.m. December 9–23 and December 25
  • Price Education Center

Guests of all ages will love stopping by Santa’s Factory for a visit and photo with the jolly ol' elf himself.

Guitarist with festive songs

Holiday Troubadour

  • 4:45, 5:45, and 6:45 p.m. (30 minutes)
  • Gingerbread Landing to Bridge Snacks

Our strolling, acoustic guitarist/singer will interact and entertain guests, encouraging everyone to sing along to his fun holiday classics. 

On December 25: Performances are scheduled on Front Street Stage at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. (Campfire Carols).

AURORA  

Couple watching Aurora Borealis

Aurora Dining Package

Enjoy a delicious pre-show dinner at Albert's Restaurant and a reserved priority viewing area to watch the magic of Aurora. A light-up souvenir is included with each ticket. Cost is $80 per adult, $38 per child ages 3 to 11; nonmembers add Zoo admission.

Aurora sprite and child

Aurora Pathways

  • 6 and 7:10 p.m (30 minutes)
  • Wind – Upper Center Street (starts at Map Location 8)  
    Water – Africa Rocks (starts below Rocks Box) 
    Ice – Lower Center Street (starts at the Pagoda)

Aurora's friendly sprites symbolizing three elements of nature—wind, water, and ice—will inhabit three areas of the Zoo pathways. They will greet guests with spirited goodwill as they travel down the themed pathways, where music and expanded new-for-2022 lighting and special effects will lead guests to the location of Aurora, where their experience continues. 

Aurora show characters

Aurora

  • 6:30 and 7:40 p.m.  (10 minutes)
  • Asian Passage – Hua Mei Plaza

This popular, end-of-the evening spectacular—full of lights, sounds, live performers, and 3D video projection images—returns to Hua Mei Plazato once again highlight the beauty of wind, water, and ice with two mesmerizing performances nightly. This year, guests have the opportunity to interact with the show by purchasing all-new Aurora bubble scepters, which glow and bubble during portions of the show.

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