MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): The Montgomery Zoo is excited to announce the return of the Christmas Lights Festival, featuring new light displays throughout the zoo. This 33rd annual tradition will kick off on December 6th at 6:00 p.m. and run through December 31st.
Experience a Winter Wonderland at the Montgomery Zoo’s Christmas Lights Festival, featuring thousands of sparkling lights and festive decorations. This year, we are thrilled to unveil new light displays, thanks to generous funding from the City Council. Some of the exciting new additions include Frosty Frontier, a magical winter landscape adorned with snowflake lights on bushes and light poles, offering the perfect photo opportunity for families. Additionally, we’re excited to guide guests through the Safari to Santa, featuring larger-than-life light sculptures of African animals as visitors make their way toward Santa’s location at the Mann Museum. We are deeply grateful for this generous contribution and look forward to sharing these new attractions with our guests.
Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a brisk train ride, there’s something for everyone at the festival. Don’t miss the chance to visit Santa and explore the Christmas Tree Village at the Mann Museum, indulge in delicious hot chocolate and fresh cookies from the Overlook Café, and enjoy live entertainment. We’re also bringing back themed nights this year—check out the full schedule on
MontgomeryZoo.com.
Zoo gates open nightly at 5:30 p.m., except on opening night, when the gates open at 6:00 p.m. following the lighting ceremony. The last admission each night is at 9:00 p.m. Each admission includes access to the zoo, the Christmas Tree Village, the Santa visit at the Mann Museum, and entertainment at the Overlook Pavilion.
Christmas Lights Festival admission details:
- Regular Night Time Admission: $14 (ages 3 years and older)
- Montgomery Zoo Members Night Time Admission: FREE
- Early Bird Admission (Day and Night Admission): $30
Additional Christmas Lights Festival activities:
- Keepsake Picture with Santa at Mann Museum: $6
- Train Ride: $3
- Sky Lift Ride: $5
- Overlook Concessions: Prices Vary
Theme Nights Schedule:
Dec 6: Tacky Christmas Sweater Night (Wear tacky sweater)
Dec 7: Sport Teams Night (Dress in favorite sports team attire)
Dec 13: Food Night (Hosting multiple food trucks)
Dec 14: Star Wars Night (Visit from favorite Star Wars characters)
Dec 20: Super Hero Night (Wear your favorite Super Hero attire)
Dec 21: Movie Character Night (Dress up as your favorite holiday character)
Dec 24: Pajama Night (Wear family friendly pajamas)
Nightly Entertainment:
Dec 6: Pike Road Elementary School and Reese Graydon
Dec 7: Dream Makers Dance and US Yoshukai Karate
Dec 9: Redland Elementary School
Dec 10: Nehemiah Center
Dec 11: Prattville Intermediate School Choir
Dec 12: BTW Magnet School
Dec 13: Leap of Faith
Dec 14: Tiger Park Karate and Erica Rae Burke + Friends
Dec 15: Clemency
Dec 16: Daniel Pratt Elementary School
Dec 17: Lisa’s Dance Dimensions
Dec 18: Airport Road Intermediate School Dance and Choir
Dec 19: Maxwell AFB Catholic Choir
Dec 20: Charlena the Soulful Psalmist and Lilia + Bruno
Dec 21: Jason and Rachel Rhodes
Dec 23: Zoo Karaoke
Dec 24: Jason and Rachel Rhodes
Nightly performances from local entertainment groups will help bring the Holiday Spirit to the Overlook Café. If your group is interested in performing, please contact Bailey Glasgow at
bglasgow@montgomeryal.gov.
Sponsors:
We would like to say a big thank you to all of our sponsors: Cumulus Broadcasting Montgomery, WSFA NBC-12, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Montgomery, Costco Wholesale, Montgomery Area Zoological Society, Mayor Steven L. Reed, Montgomery City Council, and City of Montgomery.
Thanks to all of our Christmas Village decorators and partners: American Family Care, Boy Scouts of America Troop #4, BTW Magnet High School / FAME Program, Central Alabama Age Consortium, Children’s Aid Society, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Montgomery, Comfort Care Hospice / Aveanna Hospital, Crosby Drinkard Group / CCI Premier Redesign, Cumulus Broadcasting Montgomery, Education Department at Montgomery Zoo, iHeart Radio, Kickback Ranch, Mann Museum at Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery Catholic Prep School, Montgomery Junior League, Montgomery Whitewater, Montgomery Zoo Elves / Santa Hut, O’Conner Tennis, Planetarium at Oak Park, River Region United Way, Rosa Parks Museum, Sabel Steel Services, LLC, WSFA News 12, YMCA of Greater Montgomery, ZTA Montgomery Alumnae Chapter
For more detailed admission information, visit:
www.montgomeryzoo.com.
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The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is a 42-acre zoological facility located minutes from the heart of historic, downtown Montgomery. The Montgomery Zoo features a variety of exotic animals native to Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. A trademark addition of the Zoo is the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, housing the one of the Southeast’s largest collections of preserved North American wildlife, artifacts, and fossils. The Montgomery Zoo is a department of the City of Montgomery.
Daily operating hours: 9am - 5pm, with last admission at 4pm.
Admission: Adults $18, Children (3-12 years) $14, Toddlers (2 years and under) FREE, and Seniors 65 years old and older $16.
