Wild Holidays is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s annual vacation celebration, and it transforms the Escondido park right into a glowing winter wonderland on choose evenings from late November via early January. The 2026-2027 season runs on choose dates from November 27, 2026 via January 3, 2027.
Not like plenty of vacation occasions round San Diego, Wild Holidays is included with common Safari Park admission or membership. There’s no separate ticket required. The park stays open till 8 p.m. on occasion nights, with vacation festivities kicking off round 4 p.m. It’s a very nice strategy to expertise the Safari Park after darkish, which most guests by no means get to do.
In the event you’re searching for data in regards to the San Diego Zoo’s vacation occasion, that’s a separate celebration known as Jungle Bells. I’ve a full information to Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo protecting all the things it is advisable know. This submit is all about Wild Holidays on the Safari Park.
Wild Holidays Dates & Hours
Wild Holidays 2026-2027 runs on choose dates from November 27, 2026 via January 3, 2027. Particular occasion nights and hours haven’t been introduced but, however the Safari Park sometimes follows an analogous sample annually.
Based mostly on the 2025-2026 season, you’ll be able to count on Wild Holidays on some of these dates:
- Thanksgiving weekend (Friday via Sunday)
- Choose weekends in early-to-mid December (daytime solely, no prolonged hours)
- Nightly from round December 19 via December 23
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (shortened hours, sometimes 10 a.m.-3 p.m.)
- Nightly from December 26 via early January
On the principle Wild Holidays evenings, the Safari Park stays open till 8 p.m. with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. On the early December weekends, the park closes at its common 5 p.m. time with vacation decorations up however no night programming.
I’ll replace this info with the precise 2026-2027 dates and hours as soon as they’re introduced, which is often within the fall. Examine the official Wild Holidays web page for the newest schedule.
This information focuses particularly on vacation occasions at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. For an even bigger roundup of parades, gentle shows, markets, and occasions throughout the county, see our full information to Christmas in San Diego.
Tickets & The best way to Save
Wild Holidays actions and leisure are included with any Safari Park admission ticket or membership. You don’t want a separate occasion ticket.
I’ve a full information to San Diego Zoo Safari Park low cost tickets with my promo code for financial savings on 1-Day tickets via aRes Journey, a certified ticket vendor.
In the event you’re occupied with doing each Wild Holidays on the Safari Park and Jungle Bells on the Zoo on separate nights, the 2-Go to Go is a good possibility. It consists of one go to to every park (or two visits to the identical park) and is legitimate for a full 12 months from buy. Each vacation occasions are included with admission, so no additional price past your move.
What to See & Do
The leisure and light-weight show lineup can change from 12 months to 12 months, however Wild Holidays has adopted a constant format. Right here’s what to anticipate primarily based on the 2025-2026 season. We’ll replace it with 2026-2027 info as quickly because it’s obtainable.
The occasion is unfold throughout a number of areas of the park, so it’s much less of a single present and extra of a night stroll via varied gentle shows, leisure, and meals choices.
Gentle Shows
The spotlight for many guests is the sunshine shows scattered all through the park. The Bridge of Lights is a walk-through tunnel of sunshine set to music on the Safari Stroll Bridge. It runs constantly from 5 to eight p.m. and is a favourite picture spot.
In Safari Base Camp, the Gentle Up the Holidays choreographed gentle present runs a number of occasions per night. The Carol of the Bells Medley performs at 5, 6, 7, and eight p.m., with a Jingle Bells and Extra Medley at 5:30, 6:30, and seven:30 p.m. The Wild Holidays Celebration Tree can be right here, a large Safari Park-themed tree with wildlife-inspired ornaments.
Over in Nairobi Village, the Nairobi Lantern Stroll is an illuminated path with lanterns that dance to a musical soundtrack. Close by, the Enchanted Lagoon at Mombasa Lagoon provides floating vacation lights and a lighted waterfall.
Additional into the park, the Forest of Colour alongside Arbor Stroll illuminates Condor Valley in vacation lights. The Baja Backyard in World Gardens glows with vacation cheer via the Southwest-style plantings. A number of different areas are embellished with themed lighted timber as a part of the Spirit of the Season shows, together with Tiger Path, Walkabout Australia, and Condor Ridge.
Leisure
Safari Parker’s studying of ‘Twas the Evening Earlier than Wild Holidays is a enjoyable one for households. It’s an interactive 20-minute storytelling session in Village Playground (Nairobi Village) at 4, 5, 6, and seven p.m. that ends with a wintery finale.
All through the night you’ll additionally discover the Vacation Troubadour, an acoustic musician performing in Nairobi Village, and the Turtle Doves, a violin duo enjoying vacation favorites alongside Nairobi Stroll. The Sweater Climate guitar duo roams via World Gardens and Walkabout Australia with their very own spin on vacation classics.
Tune your radio to Safari Park Radio 197.2 FM if you arrive for a mixture of vacation music that performs all through the park from 4 to eight p.m.
Santa
Santa is obtainable for pictures at Safari Base Camp on choose dates all through the Wild Holidays season. In 2025, his schedule different by date:
- Principal Wild Holidays evenings: Midday to eight p.m.
- Early December weekends: 10 a.m. to five p.m.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: 10 a.m. to three p.m.
He takes scheduled breaks all through the day (for issues like “Zoom calls with elves” and “toy stock”), so test the posted occasions if you arrive. Anticipate an analogous schedule for 2026-2027.
Vacation Meals & Drinks
There are seasonal foods and drinks choices all through the park throughout Wild Holidays. The menu modifications from 12 months to 12 months, however listed here are some highlights from the 2025 season to present you an concept of what to anticipate.
Standouts included the Cookie Butter Cinnamon Roll and Wild Vacation Churro Fry Sundae at Thorntree Terrace, the Arctic Blast frozen deal with at Kalahari Cabinet, peppermint bark at Macan Market, and a wide range of connoisseur sizzling candies.
For adults, the Cinnamon Apple Mule cocktail on faucet at Oasis on the Rocks was a preferred choose, together with different craft cocktails obtainable at a number of areas.
Ideas for Visiting Wild Holidays
Costume warmly
That is the tip that catches guests off guard probably the most. The Safari Park is in Escondido, inland and at a barely greater elevation than coastal San Diego. Temperatures drop noticeably after sundown, and because the entire occasion is open air with plenty of strolling, layers are important. Carry a jacket even when the daytime climate feels delicate.
Arrive by 3-4 p.m. if you wish to see animals
Wildlife viewing is restricted after 4 p.m. throughout Wild Holidays, and the final Africa Tram departs at 4 p.m. If seeing animals is a part of your plan, get there early sufficient to experience the tram and stroll the habitats earlier than the vacation festivities take over.
Intention for weeknights between Dec 26 and Jan 3
The nightly run after Christmas tends to be much less crowded than the pre-Christmas occasion dates. In the event you can go on a Tuesday or Wednesday night throughout that stretch, you’ll have extra respiratory room on the gentle shows and shorter waits for meals.
Put on comfy strolling sneakers
The park is 1,800 acres, and regardless that you received’t cowl all of it throughout Wild Holidays, the occasion areas are unfold out. You’ll be in your toes for a couple of hours on paths that embody some hills.
Obtain the Safari Park app
Do that earlier than you go, irrespective of if you go to. It has a Wild Holidays occasion map exhibiting the place all of the shows, leisure, and meals choices are situated.
Parking is $20 per automotive
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members get complimentary parking by registering their car upfront via the member portal. Most popular parking nearer to the doorway is obtainable for an extra $25.
Wild Holidays vs. Jungle Bells on the Zoo
In the event you’re making an attempt to resolve between the 2 vacation occasions, or questioning in case you ought to do each, right here’s how they evaluate.
Wild Holidays on the Safari Park is extra unfold out and nature-focused. The sunshine shows wind via gardens, strolling paths, and open areas, and the leisure has a quieter, extra acoustic really feel. It’s a pleasant night stroll with stops alongside the best way.
Jungle Bells on the San Diego Zoo is extra compact with a distinct vibe. The Zoo encompasses a brass ensemble, the Painted Jungle and Rainbow Forest gentle trails, a laser path, and different points of interest packed right into a smaller footprint.
Each are included with admission, and neither requires a separate occasion ticket. In case you have a 2-Go to Go, you are able to do Wild Holidays one night and Jungle Bells on one other. They’re completely different sufficient that doing each is worth it when you’ve got the time. Try my full Jungle Bells information for particulars on the Zoo’s occasion.
Often Requested Questions
Is Wild Holidays free with Safari Park admission?
Sure. All Wild Holidays actions, leisure, and light-weight shows are included with any legitimate Safari Park admission ticket or membership. There isn’t a extra charge.
Is the Safari Park open on Christmas Day?
Sure. The Safari Park is open every single day of the 12 months, together with Christmas. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, hours are sometimes shortened (10 a.m. to three p.m. in 2025-2026) with restricted Wild Holidays programming.
What time does Wild Holidays begin?
Vacation festivities start at 4 p.m. on Wild Holidays occasion nights. Gentle shows and most leisure run from 5 to eight p.m.
Are you able to see animals throughout Wild Holidays?
Wildlife viewing is restricted after 4 p.m. The final Africa Tram departs at 4 p.m. If you wish to see animals, plan to reach earlier within the day.
Is Wild Holidays the identical as Jungle Bells?
No. Wild Holidays takes place on the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido. Jungle Bells is the separate vacation occasion on the San Diego Zoo close to downtown San Diego.
They’re run by the identical group (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) however characteristic completely different leisure, gentle shows, and meals choices. run by the identical group (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) however characteristic completely different leisure, gentle shows, and meals choices.
