It’s the 42nd year of lights and lagers.
Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival is about to return for another dazzling run of fun-filled evenings throughout November and December. Kicking off on November 24, Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo sees the park illuminated with two million LED lights and a multitude of awe-inspiring decorations creating a magical winter wonderland for all ages.
While the well-being of the year-round residents will be prioritized during the festival, the animal kingdom will be represented by some larger-than-life illuminated LED animal sculptures including bison, reindeer, giraffes, and bears.
Some indoor and outdoor animal habitats will be open during Holiday Magic, including Tropic World, Big Cats, The Swamp, Feathers and Scales, Reptiles and Birds, Desert’s Edge, Clouded Leopard Rain Forest, The Living Coast, Great Bear Wilderness, Australia House, and Hamill Family Play Zoo.
In addition to the 41-foot-tall tree that is decked out in colored LED lights and choreographed to festive music every year, there will be nearly 900 illuminated trees located on the Zoo’s malls and around Roosevelt Fountain.
With returning attractions like the ever-popular luminous 20-foot-tall orb, a 16-foot-tall 3D gingerbread house, and the tunnels of lights, the opportunities to take memorable photos are limitless.
The light installations are far from the only spectacles on offer at Holiday Magic, however, nightly entertainment will run from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Pavilions while professional ice carvers will be creating intricate works of art from giant blocks of ice.
There will be warm hot beverages like spiced wine and hot chocolate to ensure all guests are kept toasty warm as they wander through the festival of lights while beers, wines, and seasonal snacks such as funnel cakes and cinnamon sugar pretzels will also available at various outdoor food and drink stands throughout the zoo.
Holiday Magic will run from 3:00 pm – 9:00 on November 24-26, and 30, and December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, and 26-31.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and cost $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors, and $20.95 for children aged between 3 and 11.
More information can be found at www.czs.org/holidaymagic.
[Featured image courtesy of Brookfield Zoo]