Christmas Tree at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
During the day, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park operates as usual. But during Wild Holidays evenings, you’ll get to see the trails completely transformed in their Christmas finest.
Celebrations kick off as soon as you enter the park at Safari Base Camp and continue throughout Nairobi Village, African Woods, and other areas.
There’s a lot of holiday events and activities, plus decorations and so much more. Let’s dive into some of the highlights of the event.
View Point at Condor Ridge at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Safari Base Camp Highlights
Wintertime fun starts right past the gates at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Safari Park Radio 197.2 FM
Festive tunes help to set the mood at Safari Base Camp with the park-operated radio station playing traditional and contemporary holiday tunes. Safari Park Radio 197.2 FM will play for the entire event, from 4:00pm until 8:00 pm, by the Whistling Duck Bar.
Celebration Tree and Holiday Lights
Make sure to stop by the Wild Holidays Celebration Tree, also found at Base Camp, which is done up in cute wildlife-themed lights and ornaments. The Christmas tree is lit each afternoon at 4:00pm, but I find it’s best viewed after sunset, from about 5:00pm on.
This part of the park also has a Light Up the Holidays choreographed light show set to Christmas songs. The Carol of the Bells Medley plays on the hour, and the Jingle Bells Medley plays on the half hour.
At the Safari Walk Bridge, you can travel through the Bridge of Lights tunnel from 5:00pm until 8:00 pm.
Meet Santa
Santa’s busy in the lead-up to Christmas, but he always makes time to meet with kids at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!
Kids can sit on Santa’s lap, share their Christmas gift list, and get a commemorative photo that’s perfect for the holiday card.
During most days of the event, visits with Santa Claus start as early as noon and continue until 8:00pm with a few breaks. The two exceptions are Christmas Eve, where he’ll be around from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Christmas Day, where you can find him from 12:00pm to 5:00 pm.
Kids Bazaar Shop at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Nairobi Village and African Woods
Stories, music, and light shows await as you continue your journey through the park during these upcoming events.
'Twas the Night before Wild Holidays
The classic tale of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas gets a wild twist with an all-new story, ‘Twas the Night before Wild Holidays, filled with cameos from the park’s animal residents and interactive fun for listeners.
Join Safari Parker at the Village Playground for this 20-minute wintery read-along at 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm every day.
Holiday Troubadour
Rounding out the schedule at the Village Playground in between story readings is the Holiday Troubadour, who invites park guests to sing along with acoustic guitar renditions of timeless classics.
His musical performances run at 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 7:30pm for 30 minutes of musical magic.
Turtle Doves Violin Duo
Head over to the Flightline Plaza at 4:15pm, 5:15pm, 6:15pm, and 7:15pm to listen to music by the Turtle Doves, a violin duo performing symphonic versions of holiday music. Each set is 45 minutes long.
Nairobi Lantern Walk and Enchanted Lagoon
Throughout the San Diego Safari Park, you’ll find lots of light set pieces. Some can be found in Nairobi Village, like the Nairobi Lantern Walk with a lantern show set to music.
There’s also the Mombasa Lagoon, which transforms into the Enchanted Lagoon during Wild Holidays with a gorgeous waterfall light show.
Both of these shows run continuously from 5:00pm until 8:00 pm.