Nov 18 - Dec 30

Christmas at the Zoo

5 - 9 PM

Open until 10pm Friday-Saturday
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Day

Presented by CareSource

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Christmas at the Zoo presented by CareSource

Experience our beloved holiday tradition!

Dating back to 1967, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo continues to grow. For our 55th year, we’re adding beautiful new décor to enhance your holiday experience. And the best part is it’s all included with regular admission!

Under the Bicentennial Pavilion, you’ll discover Santa’s Village featuring:

Extra Opportunities to Visit Santa: Meet the Kris Kringle in Santa’s Study warmed by Peterman Brothers from 5pm until close. Or escape to the tropics to see Vacation Santa from 3-9 pm at Flights of Fancy. With the help of his flamingo flock and some holiday magic, the Jolly Old Elf can be in two places at once to greet even more children this year. Visits with Santa continue through Dec. 23.
Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen: Visit with Mrs. Claus and help decorate cookies through Dec. 30.
Santa’s Barn: See Santa’s sleigh and a few of his reindeer through Dec. 30.
Polar Pathway: Have your camera ready to remember the moment you step inside the glittering tunnel and are surrounded in glowing lights! Look for the one-way entry through the tunnel this year.
Storytime with Sprinkles & Holly: Meet our new holiday characters, Sprinkles and Holly, and enjoy their nightly storytelling outside of Cafe on the Commons.
Penguin Encounter: Get up close to these winter-ready birds from 6-8pm (animal and weather dependent).
Tinsel Tavern: Enjoy holiday-themed cocktails featuring Hotel Tango spirits and wines from Daniel’s Vineyard.
Mirror Maze: Laugh your way through the fun twists and turns of the Mirror Maze!

Download our event map and discover all that Christmas at the Zoo has to offer.

Vote for Christmas at the Zoo!

Our beloved holiday event is nominated for USA TODAY's 10Best Zoo Lights! Vote daily through Dec. 5 to help us take top honors this year.

Holiday Lights Galore!

Enjoy a magical night at Christmas at the Zoo!

Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo has been voted in the top five of USA Today’s 10 Best Zoo Lights! Plan your visit now and see why we are consistently ranked among the nation’s best.

A wintertime visit to the Zoo is unlike any other you’ll experience. Come out early to watch the Zoo transform at sunset, when the warm glow of twinkling lights fills the night sky. New this year, families can join in the countdown to light up our new animated Merry & Bright Christmas Tree located in front of the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center. Over in Plains, Santa’s Favorite Tree presented by Twinkly will dance to the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, creating a perfect photo op for families and friends and or stop by We Three Trees presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers for another fun family photo op.

Planning a couple’s night out? Come later — we’re open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays — for a quiet, romantic stroll.

We’re proud to feature 100 percent LED energy-efficient lights and displays presented by Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital Ascension St. Vincent.

Discover More Holiday Wonders!

Cheerful Carolers: NEW this year, we welcome the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir as they sing carols near the warm campfires and Hearth. Join in and sing a long with these spectacular voices on select Saturday nights.
Cup of Cheer: A hot beverage is a perfect way to stay warm on a chilly night. Purchase a reusable mug and enjoy $1 refills all night long. You can also chase the chill with a seasonal cocktail presented by Hotel Tango Distillery.
Holiday goodies: Check out our holiday Foodie Guide here. Make your night out even sweeter with delicious treats from Winter Cheer or find Zoo fare at Café on the Commons.
Rides: Our White River Junction Train will whisk you away on a light-filled wintertime journey. Or enjoy a spin around our Carousel. Ticket packages are valid for a full year, so save on a few for now and a few for next year!
Campfires: Warm up by one of our campfires or at the Hearth inside Santa’s Village.

Go Green This Holiday Season

Recycle Old Christmas Lights

If your holiday lights are no longer shining bright, don't throw them out! Drop them off in the donation bins at our Entry Plaza and we'll recycle them for you free of charge. Holiday light recycling is presented by our friends at Technology Recyclers.

Zoo Animals

The wintertime animals add to the atmosphere of holiday magic!

Many of our more robust animals will be out late to enjoy the cooler weather, including Arctic foxes, tigers, red panda, brown bears, sea lions and more. These species are native to colder climates and can be more active in the winter than during the summer. Plus, special animal chats are a fun way to learn even more about our animals from the experts. Come before 4pm and you may also see additional animals in Plains.

If your cheeks start to get rosy, dash inside to enjoy the animals in Oceans, Deserts, the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center and St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion. During special dolphin presentations you’ll even hear the familiar voice of radio personality Kristi Lee sharing a festive Zoo version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Plan Ahead and Save!

Christmas at the Zoo is free for members and included with Zoo general admission.

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Give a gift that also supports our animal conservation mission

Our admission gift tickets make it easy to give your loved ones a day of Zoo fun, and they can choose when to visit.
A Zoo membership provides wild fun all year long! With options to fit any household, your loved ones receive free Zoo parking and admission, special events invitations, discounts and more. The Indianapolis Zoo Membership Program is supported by Jiffy Lube.
Special Experiences, like our Dolphin In-Water Adventure, Premium Sloth Encounter and Animal Art Adventures, offer up-close encounters and lifelong memories.
With animal-themed gifts, apparel and more, our gift shops have something for everyone. Stop by one of our Zoo locations or shop online.
In our main gift shop, you’ll find a limited number of one-of-a-kind items painted by our animal artists! Sales support our Indianapolis chapter of American Association of Zookeepers.
Support the work of conservation heroes with the help of the Champions for Our Planet: Indianapolis Prize Guide to Animal Conservation Giving.

Volunteer for Christmas at the Zoo

If you love the Zoo, the holidays and giving back, we want to hear from you!

We need for volunteers ages 16 and older to help bring Christmas at the Zoo to life. Assignments include Campfire Hosts and Santa’s Study Assistant. Volunteers receive two complimentary Zoo admission tickets for each volunteer shift during Christmas at the Zoo.

Help us Create the Magic

Contact our Volunteer Services team for more details.

Thanks to our Partners:

Christmas at the Zoo presenting partner
Alligators & Crocodiles: The Fight to Survive presenting partner; Tembo Camp presenting partner; ZooBoo presenting partner; We Three Trees Light Display at Christmas at the Zoo; Official Vehicle of Zoobilation
Supporter of Go! Membership Program
Official wine sponsor of Indianapolis Zoo Special Events
Official cocktail provider of xZOOberance, Animals and All That Jazz, ZooBoo and Christmas at the Zoo
Promotional Booth Sponsor
Official Warming Partner of Santa's Study at Christmas at the Zoo
ZooBoo Safety Awareness partner; Christmas at the Zoo Holiday LED Lights partner
Official Power Recyclers of the Indianapolis Zoo; Christmas lights recycling partner
Christmas at the Zoo Santa's Favorite Tree partner