5 Things You MUST See & Do at Holiday Lights
Holiday Lights is a beloved Bronx Zoo tradition. In fact, it’s one of our favorite times of the year - the animal lanterns, the warm snacks, the hot chocolate, the music, the snacks, the Holiday Train, and did we mention the snacks?
If you’ve been to Holiday Lights before, you know that there’s a lot to see and do! In consultation with renowned Holiday Lights experts and insiders, we’ve created this guide to help make sure you have the best time possible, and highlight both brand new offerings and beloved returning traditions for 2023.
Fall Under the Spell of the Enchanted Sea
All new for 2023! Celebrate bioluminescent animals and get your glow on in Schiff Family Great Hall with LED swings, interactive floor projections, ocean-themed interactive light panels that create patterns that mimic ocean life, and a jellyfish celebration in lights. If it’s chilly during your visit, the Enchanted Sea is a great place to slip inside and warm up for a bit while still surrounded by holiday cheer, including larger-than-life sea creature lanterns.
Insider Scoop: Bioluminescence occurs all over the world, from single-celled organisms to mushrooms, insects, jellyfish, and fish. The deep sea is the largest realm of bioluminescent life. Here, creatures survive in complete darkness all the time. More than 75% of known deep sea animals make their own light!
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 holiday train, giving our youngest visitors a fun-filled joy ride.
Insider Scoop: Keep your camera handy in this area; it’s a great place for photos - and we’ve added some new areas this year to create the perfect “photo op” moments so you can capture memories with your group.
Let’s Get Sensory
The holidays become interactive with light projections to engage the senses. Kids can do more than just watch the lights here - colored stepping stones, floor and hand interactives, snow and bubble machines and more help them to take part in the fun. Look for them at Giraffe Corner, Enchanted Sea and other locations.
Insider Scoop: Another great way to get “hands-on” is to take a ride on the Bug Carousel, which will be available for rides throughout Holiday Lights and is included with your ticket to the event. Climb aboard a long-legged praying mantis, a bright green grasshopper, or another favorite insect of choice.
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. At some point during your evening, head to The Patio and be sure to warm up at the crackling fire pit as you roast marshmallows to your desired level of perfection. Once toasted (or burnt depending on your preference - no judgment), 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 - plus the Bronx Zoo store will be open for holiday gift purchases!
Find all the New Animal Lanterns
This year’s Holiday Lights features an expanded North America animal lantern trail showcasing local New York wetlands, and an expanded Ocean lantern trail featuring the New York seascape and Bronx River. Making their debut in 2023: beaver, racoon, egret, snapping turtle, red fox, alewife, eel, and Atlantic sturgeon. Can you spot them all?
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 are nearly 400 lanterns in all, representing almost 100 animal and plant species.