Brookfield Zoo in the Chicago area spreads some holiday magic with the 28th Annual Holiday Magic Festival. During the holiday season bundle up the family and get in the holiday spirit at the Chicago Zoological Society’s 28th annual Holiday Magic, presented by ComEd, at Brookfield Zoo. Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo is a family friendly excursion that can delight kids and adults.

During the festive event, guests can enjoy the one million lights illuminating the zoo’s walkways. There is still time to enjoy the holiday magic on Saturday-Sunday 19-20 and Saturday to Thursday, December 26-31, 2009.

Holiday Magic

This year’s Holiday Magic features new elements including the Wild Lights Spectacular light show at Roosevelt Fountain and an indoor 41-foot by 25-foot model railroad candyland-theme display that can simultaneously run up to 13 trains. The holiday festival also includes professional ice-carving demonstrations, the Great Chicago Kiddie Express train ride, live musical and dance performances, celebrity storytellers, magicians, special Zoo Chats with keepers, a chance to see some favorite animals, visits with Santa Claus and costumed characters, and much more! For a complete schedule of events and up-to-date information on entertainment, activities, and animal exhibits that will be open on specific nights, see the Chicago Zoological Society website.

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Candy Cane Corner

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Candy Cane Corner on December 19-20. Candy Cane Corner is located just east of the Formal Pool . Inside Candy Cane Corner, guests can also view Holly-Days Village—large window displays featuring Old World Village, Gumdrop Village, and North Pole Village settings, complete with more than 70 miniature buildings, trees, people, a train, cobblestone sidewalks, and more.

New Year's Eve

Kids of all ages can ring in the New Year at a special Zoo Year’s Eve celebration on December 31. At 6:00 p.m. Radio Disney’s Road Crew will crank up the festivities with music, games, and prizes in the Holly Jolly Theater and lead an early countdown at 8:00 p.m. In addition, there will be an early countdown in Hamill Family Play Zoo geared toward families with young children ages 6 and under. Prior to the countdown, kids can make their own noisemaker and join in the Play Zoo parade at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Animal Exhibits

During this year’s event, many animal exhibits will be open, including Australia House, Baboon Island, Children’s Zoo (free admission), Hamill Family Play Zoo (free admission), The Fragile Desert, big cats walkway, The Living Coast, The Swamp, and Tropic World (closed on select nights). Guests will also have the opportunity to have their photos taken with some of the animals from Children’s Zoo, including Heidi, one of the zoo’s reindeers.

Holiday Shopping

People who want to do some holiday shopping can visit any of the zoo’s gift shops for a wide selection of unique items for those hard-to-shop-for loved ones on their list. In addition, restaurants and food stands will be open for those who work up an appetite or desire holiday treats such as cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider, cappuccino, and soup.

Ticket Information

During Holiday Magic, guests should park in Brookfield Zoo’s main parking lot (First Avenue and 31st Street). Activities are free (with the exception of rides and photo opportunity with animals) with paid admission of $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 and under are free. Car parking is $8; bus parking is $10.75.

Holiday Magic is sponsored by ComEd and American Airlines. For more information about Holiday Magic, call Brookfield Zoo at (708) 688-8000.

Celebrating its 75th year, the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.