City of Montgomery, AL

Christmas Lights Festival at Montgomery Zoo / nightly December 2-27

December 2-27 / 5pm - 9pm (CENTRAL TIME) 
           -- last entry and admission tickets are sold at 9pm
           -- everyone must exit the park by 9:30pm

NOTICE: The train ride will not be operating during Christmas Lights due to maintenance repairs. We apologize for this inconvenience. 

Montgomery Zoo is excited to announce exciting enhancements to its beloved Christmas Lights Festival for the upcoming holiday season. Guests can expect an immersive and reimagined experience that brings new wonder to this cherished tradition, with fresh attractions in two special zones designed to “bring the wow” back to this holiday celebration.

Our first reimagined area, Frosty Frontier, promises a sparkling winter wonderland unlike anything seen at the zoo before. Guests will be welcomed into this magical, chilly landscape with a stunning, snowflake-themed photo op that’s sure to make any Christmas card shine. With every step through Frosty Frontier, families will feel transported to an enchanted winter escape. The area is adorned with cool white net lights on bushes and hedges, casting an inviting frosty glow. Each light post in the zone features brilliant snowflake pole mounts, adding an extra touch of holiday magic to every corner.

Our second new zone, Safari to Santa, takes guests on an enchanting journey across African landscapes to the North Pole. This unique experience features striking light sculptures of beloved African animals, illuminated as they “travel” to see Santa. The pathway will come alive with vibrant, multi-colored lights, inspiring joy and wonder as guests make their way toward the festive destination. A major highlight of this area is the first-ever RGB light display at Montgomery Zoo's Christmas Lights Festival, which will transform the night with dynamic colors and dazzling effects.

As guests venture closer to the North Pole, they’ll be greeted by a vibrant “Stairway to Santa,” marked by stunning light arches and a cheerful North Pole sign pointing the way. The path is lined with a glowing walkway and festive, colorful garlands, adding a grand and joyful welcome as families prepare to meet Santa Claus himself.

See sample images below.

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See the Montgomery Zoo transformed into a Winter Wonderland displaying thousands of sparkling and twinkling lights and festive decorations at Christmas Lights Festival.  Take a leisurely stroll throughout the many lighted and decorated pathways. Safely visit Santa and the Christmas Tree Village featuring nearly 30 trees decorated by local organizations and charities at the Mann Museum, enjoy the live entertainment at the Overlook Cafe, participate in weekend theme nights, and no winter's night would be complete without some warming hot chocolate and holiday treats from the Overlook Cafe.

Also, make plans to swing by the Museum Gift Shop for last minute gift purchases, souvenirs, and to participate in the Zoo Animal Angel Conservation Tree, helping conservation efforts at the Zoo and around the world.    

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Christmas Lights Festival event hours: 

     -- December 2-27 / 5pm - 9pm (CENTRAL TIME) 
           -- last entry and admission tickets are sold at 9pm
           -- everyone must exit the park by 9:30pm

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Christmas Lights Festival event admission fees:
     -- Regular night time admission: $15 (ages 3 years old and older).  
               -- Admission fee includes;
                       -- entry to the Lights Festival, 
                       -- stroll throughout the Zoo seeing thousands of lights and holiday displays, 
                       -- visit with Santa @ the Mann Museum (available nightly thru Dec 23), 
                       -- entry to the Christmas Tree Village @ the Mann Museum, 
                       -- and entertainment at the Overlook Cafe (see below)
               -- Toddlers 2 years and younger are FREE. 
     -- Montgomery Zoo members: FREE 
               -- Admission for members includes;
                       -- entry to the Lights Festival, 
                       -- stroll throughout the Zoo seeing thousands of lights and holiday displays, 
                       -- visit with Santa @ the Mann Museum (available nightly thru Dec 23), 
                       -- entry to the Christmas Tree Village @ the Mann Museum, 
                       -- and entertainment at the Overlook Cafe (see below)
               -- Toddlers 2 years and younger are FREE. 
               -- Train ride is only included with those memberships having the train ride as part of their membership.

Attention all Zoo members. During night special events like Christmas Lights Festival, no GUEST PASSES are allowed for entry. Only the people listed on the membership will be allowed entry. During Christmas Lights Festival, members receive FREE admission; however, if their membership does not include the annual train ride pass, train rides will be an additional fee. 

Early Bird Admission, visit the Zoo and Mann Museum during the day and then stick around for Christmas Lights Festival that night: $32 (ages 3 years old and older). Ticket includes:
               -- Admission fee includes entry to the Lights Festival, stroll throughout the Zoo seeing thousands of lights and holiday displays, visit with Santa, and entertainment at the Overlook Cafe

Christmas Lights Festival combo admission (afternoon and night): 
     -- For non-members: guests wishing to visit the Zoo/Museum during the day and then stick around for Christmas Lights Festival later the same evening, last admission into the park is at 3:30pm. If you arrive after 3:30pm, you will have to wait until 5pm to enter the Zoo for Christmas Lights Festival.    
     -- For Montgomery Zoo members: members wishing to visit the Zoo/Museum during the day and then stick around for Christmas Lights Festival later the same evening, last admission into the park is at 4pm. If you arrive after 4pm, you will have to wait until 5pm to enter the Zoo for Christmas Lights Festival.  


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NOTICE: The train ride will not be operating during Christmas Lights due to maintenance repairs. We apologize for this inconvenience. 

Zoo Animal Angel Conservation Tree

     -- Donate to your favorite zoo animals and receive a keepsake tree ornament
     -- Animal Angel Tree ornaments can be purchased at the Mann Museum Gift Shop
        during the Christmas Lights Festival holiday season
     -- Funds from these purchases are contributed to the care of animals here at the Zoo
        as well as conservation efforts around the world.
     -- Animal ornaments featured include
            -- Eastern Bongo
            -- Komodo Dragon
            -- Ring-Tailed Lemur
            -- Pygmy Hippo
            -- Andean Condor
            -- Snow Leopard
            -- African Bush Elephant
            -- Bengal Tiger
            -- Chimpanzee
            -- Indian Rhino
            -- Reticulated Giraffe
     -- More Info here 

Food Truck Schedule
     -- December 12: Pckles & Potatoes
     -- December 13: Pckles & Potatoes
     -- December 18: Top Notch BBQ
     -- December 19: Pckles & Potatoes
     -- December 20: Top Notch BBQ and Southern Comfort Bakery

Theme Nights Schedule:

     -- December5: Tacky Christmas Sweater
     -- December 6: Sports Team Night
     -- December 12: Dress like an Animal Night
     -- December 13: Star Wars Night
     -- December 19: Christmas Character Night
     -- December 20: Cookies and Candy Cane Night
     -- December 24: Christmas PJ Night
     -- December 26: Hawaiian Night
     -- December 27: Superhero Night
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Entertainment at the Overlook Cafe

Christmas Lights Festival performers and entertainment at the Overlook Cafe.  See schedule below. Select nights various performers and entertainment groups will help bring in the holiday spirit with the gift of dance, song, and music.  Groups comprise of local schools, church organizations, clubs, dance troops, and local entertainment.  It is always fun, entertaining, and a great way to help usher in the joy, lights, and sounds of the holiday season.  Thank you to each of our performers.

Entertainment Schedule:

December 4: Mackenzie Bowdoin at 7pm
December 5: Lilia + Bruno at 6pm
December 6: Dream Makers Dance at 6pm and 7pm
December 7: Forest Avenue Music at 6pm
December 9: Airport Road Intermediate School Choir and Dance at 6pm
December 10: Coosada Elementary Choir at 6pm
December 11: Leap of Faith at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm
December 12: Anointed Voices of Grace at 6pm, Reese Graydon at 7pm
December 13: Tiger Park at 7pm, Mabry Thorn at 8pm
December 14: Bear Exploration Center Music at 6pm, Mackenzie Bowdoin at 7pm
December 16: US Yoshukai at 6pm
December 17: Maxwell Airforce Base Catholic Ensemble at 6pm, Studio 1 Eleven Dance at 7pm
December 18: Lisa's Dance Dimensions at 6pm and 7pm
December 19: Lophy at 6pm, Mabry Thorn at 8pm
December 20: Jason and Rachel Rhodes at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm
December 21: Stephen Barrett
December 23: Montgomery Zoo Education Dept Karaoke at 6pm
December 24: Rachel and Jason Rhodes at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm

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Overlook Cafe hours:  

  -- During Christmas Lights Festival (Dec 2-27), the Overlook Cafe is open daily 11am - 8:30pm (closed 4-5pm) 

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Christmas Tree Village participants 

     -- Alabama Pre/Post Adoption
     -- Aveanna Hospice
     -- Baptist Health
     -- BSA Troop #4, Holy Spirit Catholic Church
     -- Central Alabama Aging Consortium
     -- Child Protect
     -- Coca-Cola Bottling Montgomery
     -- Cumulus Media Montgomery
     -- Family Sunshine Center
     -- iHeart Radio
     -- Mann Museum
     -- Montgomery Academy
     -- Montgomery Catholic Prep School
     -- Montgomery Junior League
     -- Montgomery Pride United
     -- Montgomery Whitewater
     -- Montgomery Zoo
     -- Montgomery Zoo 319 Restoration Project
     -- Montgomery Zoo Education
     -- New Waters Realty
     -- O’Conner Tennis Center
     -- Planetarium at Oak Park
     -- River Region United Way
     -- Rosa Parks Museum
     -- Sabel Steel
     -- WSFA News 12
     -- ZTA Montgomery Alumnae Chapter

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Christmas Lights Festival volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering at Christmas Lights Festival, please contact the Zoo at 
     -- (334) 625-4900, 
     -- via email at zooinfo@montgomeryal.gov, or 
     -- register online now.  

Volunteers will help serve the Zoo at the

• Train Depot (temporarily suspended),
• Sky lift (temporarily suspended), 
• Santa Hut,
• and Christmas Tree Village

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IMPORTANT ANIMAL NOTE:  Christmas Lights Festival is an evening event at the Montgomery Zoo.  All zoo animals will be in their night quarters during the event.