5 Things You MUST See & Do at Holiday Lights
Holiday Lights is NYC’s family favorite holiday tradition. It’s one of our favorite times of the year at the Bronx Zoo - millions of lights, hundreds of animal lanterns across 6 trails; warm snacks, the hot chocolate, the music, the snacks, the kids’ Holiday Train, and did we mention the snacks?
NEW for 2026
Children’s Zoo Farmyard*
Greet, pet, and feed donkeys, sheep, goats, alpacas, and more gentle animals in the coziest corner of the zoo, open exclusively for the season during Holiday Lights!
Insider Scoop: For more special animal moments and extra warm-up spots, we’re keeping the World of Darkness and World of Reptiles open too, so you can hang with a sloth and bask with lizards as part of your Bronx Zoo nighttime adventure.
It’s All Happening on Astor Court
Astor Court is holiday central, featuring the majestic tree, musical light show, illuminated performers, and, of course, the nearby kids’ holiday train, giving our youngest visitors a fun-filled joy ride.
Insider Tip: Keep your camera handy in this area; it’s a great place for photos, with plenty of spots to help you create the perfect “photo op” moments so you can capture memories with your group.
Play with Light
Draw, touch, and dance with light at interactive glowing walls, shimmering flowers, and colored stepping stones. Send virtual holiday cards to WCS conservation staff worldwide.
Insider Tip: For more interactive fun, visit the Freeze Zone to take a ride on a snowtube slide, throw virtual snowballs, and get a cool photo op!
Follow the Lantern Trails
Millions of lights and hundreds of wildlife lanterns spread across 6 lantern trails representing almost 100 animal and plant species will connect you to the real wildlife and wild places that our WCS staff works to protect through our field programs around the world, and at our zoos and aquarium in New York.
Insider Scoop: True Holiday Lights devotees will want to complete the full animal lantern safari by visiting all six lantern trails: Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, Ocean, and Forest of Color.
There’s S’mores Where That Came From
Finally, we’re getting to the treats. You can’t spell Holiday Lights without S-M-O-R-E-S. Well, you can, but you shouldn’t. Head to The Patio and warm up at a crackling fire pit as you roast marshmallows to your desired level of perfection. Once toasted, sandwich the sugary goo between two graham crackers and a chocolate bar. It’s a recipe for joy.
Insider Scoop: Okay, there’s a lot more than s’mores available. Like hot chocolate, and hot pretzels, and warm churros, and popcorn, and more available for purchase - plus the Bronx Zoo Store at Dancing Crane Plaza will be open for holiday gift purchases!
DYK? This year, you can come early for 2-for-1 holiday fun!
Arrive at the zoo at 1pm, and your Holiday Lights tickets allow you to enjoy a few hours with your favorite animals before the lights go on and the park transforms.
