Christmas Lights Festival @ the Montgomery Zoo
Now through December 25, 5:30 – 9pm nightly
See the Montgomery Zoo transformed into a Winter Wonderland displaying thousands of sparkling and twinkling lights and festive decorations at Christmas Lights Festival. Take a leisurely stroll or enjoy a brisk train ride. Safely visit Santa and the Guardian Credit Union Christmas Tree Village at the Mann Museum, enjoy the live entertainment at the Overlook Cafe, and no winter’s night would be complete without some warming hot chocolate and fresh baked cookies from the Overlook Cafe. Make plans to swing by the Zoo and Museum Gift Shops for last minute gift purchases, souvenirs, and to participate in the Zoo Animal Angel Tree, helping conservation efforts at the Zoo and around the world.
Christmas Lights Festival has been a River Region, holiday tradition and mainstay for generations. Enjoy strolling about the Zoo enjoying the lights and sounds of the holiday season. Swing by to visit Santa and get in those last minute Christmas wishes. Purchase a membership, legacy brick paver, or animal adoption for that hard to buy for person on your gift list. Or take advantage of the awesome sales in the Gift Shop for that animal lover at home.
Event details:
— Dates: December 3 – 25, 2020
— Time: 5:30pm-9pm (CENTRAL TIME ZONE) nightly
— see day/night combo admission information below
New for 2020 Christmas Lights Festival
Welcome our new Guardian Credit Union Christmas Tree Village at the Mann Museum. Travel through the hallways of the Mann Museum while being delighted and joyed viewing 20 Christmas Trees decorated by various companies, groups, and organizations from the River Region community. See the holiday spirit in action with thousands of holiday ornaments, lights, ribbon, and bows. And if you listen closely, you may hear the sound of Santa and his reindeer.
At the end of the Christmas Tree Village, you will enter a Winter Wonderland where Santa and his elves await a visit with all the little boys, girls, and their families. Your Santa visit will be a fun and safe experience following all of the Federal and State COVID-19 compliance guidelines. Santa and his elves are looking forward to wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season.
— Santa Keepsake Photos: $5 per photo
Thank all of our Christmas Lights Festival sponsors
- Cumulus Broadcasting Montgomery (WLWI 92.3, Y102, Fox 95.1 and Mix 103.3)
- WSFA NBC-12
- Coca Cola Montgomery
- Costco Wholesale
- Hodges Warehouse + Logistics
- Guardian Credit Union
- City of Montgomery
- Montgomery Area Zoological Society
Thank you to all the Guardian Credit Union Christmas Tree Village tree decorators
— Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (Mooseum)
— Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (SLE Rodeo)
— Al’s Flowers
— Baptist Health
— Carriage Hills Animal Clinic
— Cumulus Media Montgomery
— exploreMedia
— George’s River Market & Butchery
— Guardian Credit Union
— Jackson Thornton
— John Lee Paint
— Kwik Kopy Shop
— Magnolia Bunco Group
— Montgomery Academy Varsity Cheerleaders
— Montgomery Ballet
— Montgomery Coca-Cola Bottling
— US Air Force JAG School Faculty Maxwell Air Force Base, Danielle Crowder
— WSFA NBC-12
— Zoo Education Department Docents & Zoo Teens
Christmas Lights Festival event hours:
— 5:30pm – 9pm nightly
— last admission tickets are sold at 9pm
— everyone must exit the park by 9:30pm
Christmas Lights Festival event admission fees:
— Regular night time admission: $10 (ages 3 years old and older).
— Admission fee includes;
— entry to the Lights Festival,
— stroll throughout the Zoo seeing thousands of lights and holiday displays,
— visit with Santa @ the Mann Museum,
— entry to the Guardian Credit Union Christmas Tree Village @ the Mann Museum,
— and entertainment at the Overlook Cafe (see below)
— Toddlers 2 years and younger are FREE.
— Montgomery Zoo members: FREE
— Admission for members includes;
— entry to the Lights Festival,
— stroll throughout the Zoo seeing thousands of lights and holiday displays,
— visit with Santa @ the Mann Museum,
— entry to the Guardian Credit Union Christmas Tree Village @ the Mann Museum,
— and entertainment at the Overlook Cafe (see below)
— Toddlers 2 years and younger are FREE.
— Train ride is only included with those memberships having the train ride as part of their membership.
Attention all Zoo members. During night special events like Christmas Lights Festival, no GUEST PASSES are allowed for entry. Only the people listed on the membership will be allowed entry. During Christmas Lights Festival, members receive FREE admission; however, if their membership does not include the annual train ride pass, train rides will be an additional fee.
Christmas Lights Festival rides and attractions
— Train ride: $3 per person, per ride
— Visits with Santa: FREE
— Photos with Santa: $5 per photo
Early Bird Admission, visit the Zoo and Mann Museum in the afternoon and then stick around for Christmas Lights Festival that night: $25 (ages 3 years old and older).
Christmas Lights Festival combo admission (afternoon and night):
— For non-members: guests wishing to visit the Zoo/Museum in the afternoon and then stick around for Christmas Lights Festival later the same evening, last admission into the park is at 4pm. If you arrive after 4pm, you will have to wait until 5:30pm to enter the Zoo for Christmas Lights Festival.
— For Montgomery Zoo members: members wishing to visit the Zoo/Museum in the afternoon and then stick around for Christmas Lights Festival later the same evening, last admission into the park is at 4pm. If you arrive after 4pm, you will have to wait until 5:30pm to enter the Zoo for Christmas Lights Festival.
BRING YOUR GROUP TO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FESTIVAL AND SAVE
— Purchase discounted group Christmas Lights Festival tickets, for groups of 20 or more. $9 per person
— Purchase Christmas Lights Festival tickets only; or
— Early Bird Admission (DAY and NIGHT time combo admission tickets)
Additional Christmas Lights Festival activities:
— Visit with Santa @ the Mann Museum: FREE
— Visit the Guardian Credit Union Christmas Tree Village @ the Mann Museum: FREE
— Keepsake picture with Santa: $5 per photo
— Train ride: $3 per ride, per person
— Petting Zoo entry: FREE
— Petting Zoo feed: $2 per feed pouch
— Entertainment at Overlook Cafe: FREE
— Concessions at Overlook Cafe: Prices vary
— Gift shop: Prices vary
Overlook Cafe hours:
— During Christmas Lights Festival, the Overlook Cafe is open 12pm – 8pm.
Christmas Lights Festival performers and entertainment at the Overlook Cafe. See schedule below. Select nights various performers and entertainment groups will help bring in the holiday spirit with the gift of dance, song, and music. Groups comprise of local schools, church organizations, clubs, dance troops, and local entertainment. It is always fun, entertaining, and a great way to help usher in the joy, lights, and sounds of the holiday season. Thank you to each of our performers.
12/4/20 6:00 Tammy’s School of Dance
12/11 6:00 & 7:30 Leap of Faith Dance Studio
12/17 6:00 Lisa’s Dance Dimensions
7:30 Redland Elementary School Choir
12/19 6:00 & 7:30 Rachel & Jason Rhodes
12/21 6:00 Maxwell Catholic Ensemble
12/24 6:00 & 7:30 Rachel & Jason Rhodes
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