Christmas at the Zoo is an event being held at the Indianapolis Zoo from November 18th to December 30th. This special event, sponsored by CareSource, offers several different attractions. They include opportunities for children to meet various characters around the zoo, including Santa at Santa’s Study, 5 pm to close through December 23rd; a Vacation Santa from 3 pm to 9 pm at Flights of Fancy through December 23rd; and an Ice Princess and Jack Frost.
Children can even do fun activities with a few of the characters: they can help decorate cookies in Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen or sit down for storytime with Sprinkles and Holly outside of Cafe on the Commons. There are many activities the zoo offers for everyone in the family, too. There are festive lights set up in White River Gardens, as well as a glittering tunnel known as Polar Pathway. Family photo opportunities can be found in the Plains, where Santa’s Favorite Tree, presented by Twinkly, will dance to the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Guests can also stop by another photo opportunity, this one provided by Central Indiana Honda Dealers, named We Three Trees.
Animals can also be spotted during the day at the Penguin Encounter from 6 pm to 8 pm, though it is dependent on weather conditions and the animals, and at Santa’s Barn, which contains both Santa’s sleigh and reindeer.
Feeling tired after all the walking? The kids can go through the mirror maze while adults 21 and over enjoy a drink, responsibly, at the Tinsel Tavern, which features holiday-themed cocktails made with Hotel Tango spirits and Daniel’s Vineyard wines.
There will also be even more holiday themed items and experiences available. Journey to the North Pole, presented by ITS Logistics, features two large holiday nutcrackers to greet guests for their journey on the White River Junction Train, and Paws and Think offers dogs to cuddle with at the Bicentennial Pavilion on select dates.
If it is too cold, warm up by a campfire or at the Hearth inside Santa’s Village, where the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir will be singing carols on select Saturdays, or by drinking the zoo’s holiday themed beverage named Cup of Cheer. With the purchase of a reusable mug, refills are only $1 and holiday themed goods are available at Winter Cheer and Café on the Commons.
Finally, guests can join in the countdown to light up the zoo’s new animated Merry & Bright Christmas Tree, which is located in front of the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center.
The zoo also mentions that some of the animals will be coming out more now that the weather is getting cooler, including Arctic foxes, tigers, red panda, brown bears, and sea lions. Plus, anyone who shows up in the Plains before 4 pm might get to see additional animals.
Finally, the zoo announced that they are “proud to feature 100 percent LED energy-efficient lights and displays presented by Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital Ascension St. Vincent,” and urges people to drop off old holiday lights at the Entry Plaza, where Technology Recyclers will have bins where lights can be recycled free of charge.
Christmas at the Zoo is free for members and included with the cost of general admission. Prices range from $15.00 – $32.75 for adults, $15.00 – $28.75 for children 12 and under and $15.00 – $30.75 for seniors 62 and older and military personnel. This will be Christmas at the Zoo’s 55th year operating, after starting that tradition in 1967. To find out more information, to purchase tickets or to volunteer or donate, check out the zoo’s website.