ºEmbark on an illuminated safari with animal lanterns, animated sculptures, and colorful designs throughout the spacious Bronx Zoo plus more holiday fun.

🦋 Nearly 400 lanterns represen almost 100 animal and plant species. 64 new lanterns representing 9 new animal species make their debut at this year’s Holiday Lights. Each section shocases different wildlife regions from gorillas in Africa to sea turtles in the ocean. Look up to larger than life toads, frogs, snails, sunbirds, turtles, moths, butterflies, and more in the Forest of Color.

✨ Watch a gorgeous musical light show with trees that change color in time to the festive tunes and dancing, glowing reindeer on stilts.

🐙 New this year, get your glow on in the indoor Enchanted Sea with LED swings, interactive floor projections and ocean-themed interactive light panels that create patterns that mimic ocean life, and a jellyfish celebration in lights,

🚂 Also look for ice-carving demonstrations, costumed characters, wildlife theater puppet shows and stilt walkers. Take a ride on the Holiday Train ($4).

🍽 Get hot cocoa, roasted marshmallows, ice cream, coffee and creative s’mores throughout the park or dine from the extensive menu at Dancing Crane Plaza Cafe featuring hot dogs & chicken fingers plus salads & grain bowls. Pick up savory and sweet Italian treats at nearby Arthur Avenue.

🐵 Animals are not out after 4:30 pm but you can use your lights tickets to come earlier to see bears, tigers and more. See our guide to the Bronx Zoo.

⭐️ Guests that thrive in a sensory-supportive environment are invited to Sensory-Friendly Night (Nov 29).

🚊 The BxM11 express bus makes stops along Madison Avenue, between 26th and 99th Streets, then travels directly to the Zoo’s Bronx River entrance. $6.75 each direction, about a 40 minute trip from midtown (see the schedule).

🚙  Two of the zoos  parking lots will be open ($17)  – Southern Boulevard (S. Blvd & 183rd St, closer to most of the lights) and Bronx River (Exit 6 off Bronx River Parkway).