Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park 2024

There’s no place like San Diego for wildlife experiences. During the Christmas season, join the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for its festive Wild Holidays.

Key Takeaways

  • The San Diego Zoo Safari Park combines the magic of wildlife and winter during Wild Holidays running Nov. 29th, 2024-Jan. 5th, 2025.
  • I love seeing the park in festive lights as different areas of the park become winter wonderlands from the moment you enter at base camp.
  • Explore the park just after dark to find the light shows that dazzle down by the tiger trails, plus live music and much more.
Jessica VanHook
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
A Festive Expedition
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A Festive Expedition: Exploring Wild Holidays at the Safari Park

Entrance Sign to the San Diego Zoo Safari ParkTiger Roaring at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

As far as attractions for animal lovers go, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido is one of the best in town, right up there with the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park.

Both of these attractions rank among my personal favorites in the city, and it can be hard to choose between them(though thankfully, with the All-inclusive Go City San Diego pass and our discount code, GVSD5OFF, you don’t have to!).

Plus, both parks run special holiday attractions. The San Diego Zoo has HalGLOWeen in the fall and Jungle Bells in the winter, while the ultimate safari wintertime experience can be found during the Safari Park’s Wild Holidays.

If you’ll be celebrating the holidays in San Diego, and if you love wildlife like I do, then visiting the Safari Park during its Wild Holidays celebration is a must-do activity.

Christmas Time at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Christmas Time at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

What Is Wild Holidays?

The family-friendly Wild Holidays event offers a new perspective on one of San Diego’s premier attractions. Featuring wintery decorations throughout the park with lights and a Christmas tree, live performances and musicians, story readings, and fun seasonal treats, guests of all ages will have no trouble getting into the holiday spirit.

Wild Holidays runs on select evenings from November 29th, 2024, to January 5th, 2025. Event shows and activities are included with park admission.

On these days, the park will remain open until 8:00pm, so you’ll get to see it all lit up at the nighttime zoo - and get an exclusive after-hours look at certain areas.

Entrance at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Entrance at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Dates and Times

In 2024 and early 2025, the dates for Wild Holidays start in November and run until the beginning of January.

  • Nov. 29-Dec. 1
  • Dec. 7-8
  • Dec. 14-15
  • Dec. 21-23
  • Dec. 26-Jan. 5

The park opens at the usual time, with Wild Holidays events and activities beginning at 4:00pm.

Local Tips
Celebrate Wild Holidays After Dark
Experience the Safari Park's transformation during Wild Holidays with dazzling lights, festive shows, and seasonal activities—perfect for an unforgettable evening adventure!

A Spectacular Holiday Transformation

Christmas Tree at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
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
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
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.

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What attractions are included with a Go City San Diego pass?

Attractions that you can visit with a Go City San Diego pass include:

The San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, Harbor Cruise, USS Midway Museum, the NAT Museum, Whaley House, PETCO Park Tour, iFLY San Diego and many, many more!

Want to save more? Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

Magical Experiences Across the Park

The Wild Holidays festivities continue around the Tiger Trail, World Gardens, and other areas of the park that will remain open for evening celebrations.

Tiger Trail at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Tiger Trail at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Tiger Trail and Beyond

Typically home to endangered species like the sumatran tiger, the Tiger Trail hosts special events for all visitors to enjoy.

The Spirit of the Season

Take a holiday expedition along park trails that are strung up with colorful lights, illuminating the trees and the decorations that line the pathways. These spots are the ideal place to snap a family photo, as the atmosphere is amazing.

You can find the Spirit of the Season at the Sambutan Longhouse at Tiger Trail. Additional light shows are set up at Zuest Woolshed at Walkabout Australia, Condor Ridge, and the World Gardens.

Forest of Color

The Forest of Color is my personal favorite area of the park during the holiday celebrations, as the soft purple and blue lighting reflecting on the bridge and trees makes the Arbor Walk in Condor Valley a truly stunning sight.

World Gardens

Over at the World Gardens, the light displays and musical acts continue.

Illuminated Baja Garden

The last of the light shows is at the Baja Garden, a Southwest-themed habitat that brings Southern California’s gorgeous natural scenery into stunning illumination with colorful lights.

The Spirit of the Season, Forest of Color, and Baja Garden will all be lit up from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.

Sweater Weather Acoustic Duo

You can also watch a 30-minute show by guitar and percussion duo Sweater Weather that runs every hour. You’ll find them traveling around World Gardens and Walkabout Australia, performing holiday favorites.

Safari Coffee Outpost at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Safari Coffee Outpost at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Culinary Delights

I love to try new foods and the Safari Park has quite the selection during the holidays.

They offer a selection of seasonal treats, from warm apple cinnamon rolls to special craft cocktails on tap. Kids will love the gourmet hot chocolate served up at food stands, too.

Menu items are subject to change, and a 21+ ID is required for alcoholic beverages.

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Embracing Holiday Cheer at the Safari Park's Wild Holidays Event

Before you head to the park, here are a few ways to maximize fun and embrace the holiday spirit during Wild Holidays.

Ticket Counter at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Ticket Counter at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Tips for Enjoying the Park During the Wild Holidays Event

Since all Wild Holidays activities are included with your Safari Park admission or membership, double your fun by planning enough time to see both the animals and the festivities. Remember that the park stays open until 8:00pm on event days, so you won’t be pressed for time.

Keep in mind that animal encounters and sightings will be limited during this time as the wildlife is less active and tours wind down toward the evening. I’d suggest arriving in the early afternoon to give yourself time to take a wildlife safari and walk the trails before checking out the holiday festivities.

Also, though Wild Holidays mainly runs later in the week, the Dec. 26th - Jan. 5th dates include some weekdays and a chance to get Monday deals on cheaper park admission, making them a good choice for the budget-conscious traveler. You can also beat the Saturday crowd!

Two Tiger Cubs Playing at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Two Tiger Cubs Playing at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The Reason for the Season

All of these special experiences at Wild Holidays help support the Safari Park’s mission of wildlife conservation efforts all around the world, based right here in San Diego. I’m a big fan of conserving nature and our wildlife!

So you’ll get to spread seasonal cheer and feel great while doing it, all while making unforgettable memories with your family.

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