Brookfield Zoo is back with the Festival of Lights for the holidays

BROOKFIELD, IL – Chicago’s longest running Festival of Lights returns with millions of twinkling lights to brighten up the holiday season.

“Holiday Magic” features more than two million twinkling LED lights, while “Sea of ​​Lights” returns with a new design of two miles of colorful lights synchronized to music throughout the zoo’s West Mall.

There will also be a 600-foot-long “Tunnel of Lights” that guests can walk through, along with a 41-foot-tall tree illuminated with LED lights to greet guests as they enter through the north entrance.

Along with the illuminations, many animal habitats will be open to the public: from the home of thick-skinned, big cats to reptiles and birds. Children will also be able to put their written holiday greetings and animal drawings in a special box, and leave letters to Santa in the giant red box in the Zoo’s South Mall.

Guests can go for a ride on the skating rink, located in the Vostok shopping center. The price of unlimited time for all skaters at the rink is 7 dollars. A limited number of skates can be rented for $5. Skaters can bring their own skates.

Festival of Lights returns November 25-27 and 30, as well as December 1-4, 7-11, 14-18 and 26-31 from 3-9 p.m.

Guests who prefer to park in the south lot will need to book in advance (including zoo members) and purchase admission and parking tickets online at Chicago Zoological Society – Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo near Chicago (czs.org).

Advance reservations are not required for those using the north parking lot, however guests are encouraged to secure entry and parking online prior to their visit.

Admission to the Brookfield Zoo is $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 3-11, and $19.95 for seniors 65 and older. Parking is $15. For more information on Holiday Magic, visit https://czs.org/HolidayMagic.