Wild Holidays is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s annual holiday celebration, and it transforms the Escondido park into a glowing winter wonderland on select evenings from late November through early January.
I’ve been visiting the Safari Park all my life, and I’ve been a member for years. Regular admission or membership covers Wild Holidays, so there’s no separate ticket required. It’s a really nice way to experience the Safari Park after dark, which most visitors never get to do.
If you’re looking for the San Diego Zoo’s holiday event, that’s a separate celebration called Jungle Bells, and my guide to Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo covers it.
Wild Holidays Dates & Hours
Wild Holidays 2026-2027 runs on the nights below, from November 28, 2026, through January 3, 2027, and the Safari Park is open until 8 p.m. on each of them:
- November 28–29, 2026
- December 18–23, 2026
- December 26, 2026, through January 3, 2027
November 27 is a members-only preview night. December 24 and 25 aren’t Wild Holidays nights, and the park’s hours calendar shows it open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on those two days.
Last season, the holiday festivities started at 4 p.m. Check the official Wild Holidays page for the latest schedule.
Katie’s Tip
See the animals before dark. The Safari Park is big, and the animals are hard to see once the sun goes down. The Africa Tram is a roughly 25-minute ride around some of the park’s savanna habitats. On Wild Holidays days, the final tram goes out at 4 p.m., and viewing is limited from then on, so arrive early enough to ride it and walk the habitats in daylight.
The drive from the San Diego Zoo is 35 miles, and the park suggests allowing 45 minutes to an hour for it. If you’re coming on Interstate 15, leave extra time, since an afternoon drive may hit rush-hour traffic.
Tickets & How to Save
Wild Holidays activities and entertainment are included with any Safari Park admission ticket or membership. I have a full guide to San Diego Zoo Safari Park discount tickets with my promo code for savings on 1-Day tickets through aRes Travel, an authorized ticket seller.
Save $8 · 1-Day Pass
San Diego Zoo or Safari Park
Skip the ticket line with a 1-day pass you can print or scan on your phone, valid a full year from purchase. Final price after my code: $70 (ages 12+) and $60 (ages 3–11).
Use promo code to save $8 at both parks.
If you’re thinking about doing both Wild Holidays at the Safari Park and Jungle Bells at the Zoo on separate nights, the 2-Visit Pass is a great option. It includes one visit to each park (or two visits to the same park) and is valid for a full year from purchase. Both holiday events are included with admission, so there’s no extra cost beyond your pass.
What to See & Do
The event is spread across several areas of the park, so it’s less of a single show and more of an evening stroll through various light displays, entertainment, and food options.
Christmas Light Displays
The Bridge of Lights is a walk-through tunnel of light set to music, and the choreographed Light Up the Holidays show is the only display with set showtimes.
| Display | Where | Last season |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge of Lights | Safari Walk Bridge | 5–8 p.m. |
| Light Up the Holidays | Safari Base Camp | On the hour and half hour, 5–8 p.m. |
| Wild Holidays Celebration Tree | Safari Base Camp | 4–8 p.m. |
| Nairobi Lantern Walk | Nairobi Village | 5–8 p.m. |
| Enchanted Lagoon | Mombasa Lagoon | 5–8 p.m. |
| Forest of Color | Arbor Walk, Condor Valley | 5–8 p.m. |
| Baja Garden | World Gardens | 5–8 p.m. |
| Spirit of the Season lighted trees | Tiger Trail, Walkabout Australia, World Gardens, and Condor Ridge | 5–8 p.m. |
Entertainment
Safari Parker’s reading of ’Twas the Night Before Wild Holidays is an interactive 20-minute storytelling session for families in Village Playground (Nairobi Village) at 4, 5, 6, and 7 p.m.
Throughout the evening you’ll also find the Holiday Troubadour, an acoustic musician performing in Nairobi Village, and the Turtle Doves, a violin duo playing holiday favorites along Nairobi Walk. The Sweater Weather guitar duo roams through World Gardens and Walkabout Australia playing holiday classics.
Safari Park Radio 197.2, the park’s own holiday station, plays a mix of contemporary and traditional holiday music at Safari Base Camp from 4 to 8 p.m.
Santa
Last season, Santa was at Safari Base Camp for photos on these days, some of which weren’t Wild Holidays nights:
- November 28–30 and December 19–23, 2025: Noon to 8 p.m.
- December 6–7 and 13–14, 2025: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2025: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
His schedule ended on Christmas Day, so the event nights after Christmas had no Santa visits. He also took scheduled breaks throughout the day (for things like “Zoom call with elves” and “toy inventory”), so check the posted times when you arrive.
Holiday Food & Drinks
Last season, the seasonal food and drink offerings throughout the park included cookie butter cinnamon rolls, peppermint bark, a variety of gourmet hot chocolates, and craft cocktails on tap for adults. The menu changes from year to year.
Tips for Visiting Wild Holidays
Dress warmly
The Safari Park is in Escondido, inland and at a slightly higher elevation than coastal San Diego. Temperatures drop noticeably after sunset, and since the whole event is outdoors with a lot of walking, layers are essential. Bring a jacket even if the daytime weather feels mild.
Wear comfortable walking shoes
The park is 1,800 acres, and even though you won’t cover all of it during Wild Holidays, the event areas are spread out. The paths include some hills.
Download the Safari Park app
Do this before you go. It usually has a Wild Holidays event map showing where all the displays, entertainment, and food options are located.
Plan for paid parking
General parking is charged per vehicle, and preferred parking costs more. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance adult members park free by showing their valid membership card at the parking booth.
Wild Holidays vs. Jungle Bells at the Zoo
Wild Holidays at the Safari Park is more spread out and nature-focused. The light displays wind through gardens, walking paths, and open spaces, and the entertainment has a quieter, more acoustic feel.
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo is more compact. Last season, its lineup included a brass ensemble, the Painted Jungle and Rainbow Forest light trails, and a laser trail.
Both are included with admission. With a 2-Visit Pass, you can do Wild Holidays one evening and Jungle Bells on another. My Jungle Bells guide has the details on the Zoo’s event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wild Holidays free with Safari Park admission?
Yes. All Wild Holidays activities, entertainment, and light displays are included with any valid Safari Park admission ticket or membership. There is no additional fee.
Is the Safari Park open on Christmas Day?
Yes. The Safari Park is open every day of the year, including Christmas, with shorter hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in 2026). Neither day is a Wild Holidays night this season. Last season, Santa was at Safari Base Camp from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each of them.
What time does Wild Holidays start?
Last season, holiday festivities began at 4 p.m. on event nights, and most of the light displays ran from 5 p.m. until the park closed at 8 p.m., the same closing time posted for every Wild Holidays night this season.
Can you see animals during Wild Holidays?
Wildlife viewing is limited after 4 p.m. The last Africa Tram departs at 4 p.m. If you want to see animals, plan to arrive earlier in the day.
Is Wild Holidays the same as Jungle Bells?
No. Wild Holidays takes place at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido. Jungle Bells is the separate holiday event at the San Diego Zoo near downtown San Diego.
They are run by the same organization (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) but feature different entertainment and light displays.
