Holiday Nights Return to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in December

Posted on November 8, 2023

The zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with evenings of dazzling lights, live carolers, performers and cozy campfires.

SYRACUSE, NY – It's the most wonderful time of the year! Holiday Nights returns to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, weekends in December. The Friends of the Zoo invites the public to come and enjoy evening strolls, sparkling light displays and entertainment celebrating the joyous season. Tickets are on sale now at rosamondgiffordzoo.org.

On Fridays and Saturdays, December 1 to 16, from 5 to 8 p.m., the zoo will come alive with the joyful sights and sounds of the seasons. Festive entertainment includes captivating ice carving demonstrations, local holiday choir performances, stilt walkers from CircOvation, visits from Santa and more. Light displays, designed and assembled for Holiday Nights by local Ptech engineering students, will also decorate the zoo.

Guests are welcome to warm up and get cozy by the fire pits with s’mores and hot chocolate. In the spirit of the season, the Friends ZooUnited campaign will donate $1 from every hot chocolate purchased at Holiday Nights to the United Way of Central New York.

Families can also shop for special holiday gifts at our Holiday Market, featuring unique items from local vendors, and The Curious Cub Gift Shop will be open.

This year’s Holiday Nights is sponsored by Cumulus Media, Tops, Wegmans, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Berkshire Bank, Alzheimer’s Association, and Amazon.

In this season of giving, we celebrate our beloved animals and the essential place they have in our world.

Join us for the holidays and support conservation at your zoo! For more information, tickets, and vendor applications, visit rosamondgiffordzoo.org/holiday-nights

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