Bronx Zoo Lights
This light exhibition not only showcases rope lights, meteor shower lights, net lights, icicle lights, LED curtain lights, and twinkle light trees but also lets you celebrate the wildlife. This holiday and wildlife celebration is complete with classic holiday music, seasonal treats, and festive entertainment.
The Forest of Color offers over 20 larger-than-life lanterns that represent butterflies, turtles, sunbirds, snails, frogs, toads, and more. The entertainment never ends at Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. You can meet and take a photo with costumed wildlife characters or join ice carving demonstrations and competitions, stilt walkers, holiday trains, and wildlife theater.
Hundreds of lanterns representing plant and animal species around the world will make your night enjoyable and memorable.
The walk-through experience is not only for kids but for all ages. You can bring your friends and family to create new, fun memories.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Dates (2022-2023)
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights will not only add light and warmth to your holiday season but also connect you to the wildlife. The festival venue will welcome you with a glowing pathway celebrating animals in lights. The holiday music and mesmerizing twinkle lights set the holiday mood.
You still have a lot of time to prepare for joining Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. Here are the festival dates:
- November 21 – 24; Monday to Thursday
- November 29 – 30; Tuesday to Wednesday
- December 1 – 23; Thursdays to Sundays
- December 26 – 31; Monday to Sunday
- January 3 – 5; Tuesday to Thursday
Whether you want to visit the Christmas light show on weekdays or weekends, you will experience a unique and heartwarming holiday celebration.
Where It’s Located and How to Get There
Lights, lanterns, holiday treats, musical revelry, entertainment, and more await you at Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. This festival of lights is set in Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10460, USA.
Here are several ways to get to Bronx Zoo:
- Express Bus from Manhattan
You can take the BxM11 express bus. It makes stops along Madison Ave between 26th street and 99th street. Then, it travels directly to the zoo’s entrance (Gate B). The bus ride fare is $6.75 for each direction.
- Local Buses
If you are from the Bronx, you must take the Bx19 or Bx9 buses to Southern Blvd and 183rd Street, the location of the zoo’s pedestrian entrance (Gate C). You can also take the Bx22 or Bx12 to Fordham Road and Southern Blvd. To reach 183rd Street, you will walk five blocks on Southern Blvd.
Meanwhile, if you are from Queens, you must take the Q44 to Boston Road and 180th Street. Then, you have to walk north one block to the zoo’s gate entrance (Gate A).
- Train
If you prefer taking a train, you can take the Harlem line of Metro North to Fordham. Next, you have to take the Bx9 bus eastward to Southern Blvd and 183rd Street.
- Subway
You can take the #2 train to Pelham Parkway for an ADA-accessible route. The subway station comes with three elevators leading down to street level. Then, walk west to the zoo’s entrance (Gate B).
- Car Service
If you plan to use a car service to reach the festival venue, it is recommended to get dropped off and picked up at the Southern Boulevard Gate Pedestrian entrance located at 185th Street and Southern Blvd.
As with the parking, it is available through the Bronx River Parkway entrance and Southern Blvd entrance. If you bring a car, you have to pay $17 while $20 for a bus.
Festival Hours
With lots of shopping and dining options, various scheduled programs and activities, and hundreds of light displays, your entire Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights experience is never boring. You can spend your entire night exploring the whole venue.
The Christmas light show starts from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. So, you have plenty of time checking out all the light displays, animal lanterns, and other activities and attractions. Please note that this event does not include animal exhibits.
How Much It Cost to Visit Bronx Zoo Lights
Before you get too excited about joining Bronx Zoo Lights, ensure to purchase tickets, and you should reserve them in advance.
Here are the ticket prices:
- Child (ages 3 to 12) – $24.95
- Adult (ages 13 and up) – $39.95
- Senior (ages 65 and up) – $34.95
Wildlife Conservation Society members with Legacy, Zoos PLUS, or Zoos level will get free Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights access on particular preview days. Check out the following for more details:
- WCS Members will get 40% off tickets to all event days and 3 preview days.
- IDNYC and Aquarium Members will get 40% off tickets to all event days.
- Conservation Support Level Members and Above will get free light festival entry throughout the program.
Weather and What to Wear
The festival of lights starts in November, and the weather is very chilly and sometimes rainy. During the day, the average temperatures are in the single-digit C (high 40s F) to low 10s C (50ss F). At night, the temperatures dip into the single digits C (low 30s F). So, make sure to pack the following:
- Light and heavy skirts
- Standard footwear
- Dresses
- Pants or jeans
- Extra socks
- Fleece
- Light jacket
- Long sleeve blouses or shirts
- Waterproof footwear
- Rain pants
In December, the weather can be very chilly. In some cases, you will experience rainy days. Temperatures are routinely in the single-digit C (low 40s F). Night temperatures are in the single digits below 0 C (low 30s F). Ensure to bring the following clothing:
- Extra socks
- Warm jeans or pants
- Mittens or light gloves
- Coat or jacket
- Fleece
- Standard footwear
- Waterproof snow boots
- Waterproof jacket
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights lasts until the first week of January, and it can be very chilly. You may also experience rainy days. On average, daytime temperatures are in the single digits C (low 30s F). Night temperatures often dip into single digits below 0 C (low 20s F). Do not forget to pack the following:
- Heavy jacket
- Heavy socks
- Sweaters
- Gloves
- Warm jeans or pants
- Cold weather footwear
- Waterproof snow boots
- Waterproof jacket
Hotels near by the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Bronx, NY offers lots of accommodations near the festival venue, such as:
Sleep Inn
Sleep Inn is located in West Bronx, around 1.1 km from Bronx Zoo. It features clean and comfortable rooms, and the staff is very professional.
Best Western Plus Executive Residency Bronx
This accommodation is situated in West Bronx, approximately 1.1 km from Bronx Zoo. The breakfast is great, and the rooms are spacious and clean.
Morris Guest House
Morris Guest House is another accommodation located in West Bronx. It is around 2.4 km from Bronx Zoo. It is also near Yankee Stadium. It features free Wi-Fi access.
Where to Eat
Make tasty dishes part of your Bronx, NY trip. You can try the following food destinations:
Joe’s Italian Deli
This food spot serves delicious sandwiches, baked lasagna and ziti, aged parmesan, soppressata, etc. Also, do not forget to order the homemade fresh mozzarella, Uncle Frank, and DSNY sandwich.
Artuso Pastry
This Italian shop is famous for its tri-color cake and classic cannoli. You will also love the creamed stuffed croissants dipped in chocolate with powder sugar called Lobster Tails.
Tra Di Noi
This family-owned restaurant has been a favorite destination in Arthur Ave for years. It prepares some of the best Calamari Fritti in the state.
More Things to Do in the Area
While Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights is the highlight of the holiday celebration in Bronx, NY, you can try other activities and destinations with your family.
New York Botanical Garden
This 250-acre botanical garden is near Fordham University and across the road from Bronx Zoo. It is worth visiting for its stunning Orchid Show, Holiday Train Show, Thain Family Forest, Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, and Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden.
Orchard Beach
This 1.1-mile-long public beach overlooks the City Island and faces the Long Island. It is crescent-shaped and allows visitors to enjoy playgrounds, BBQ areas, picnic areas, snack bars, and handball, volleyball, and basketball courts.
Bronx Museum of the Arts
This museum displays contemporary art that reflects the diverse cultures making up the region. It features over 2,000 artwork collections from Latin American, African, and Asian artists. Admission is free and also offers student group visits and educational programs.
Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
This 19th-century cottage is where Edgar Allan Poe spent his last years of life. The charming cottage is also where his wife and mother-in-law lived. It served as Poe’s inspiration for the poem Annabel Lee.
