Wild Holidays at Safari Park 2026: Dates, Hours & Lights

Wild Holidays runs on select nights from November 28, 2026 through January 3, 2027 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, included with regular admission. Mind the gap: after Thanksgiving weekend, the evening lights don’t return until December 18.

What makes it special

This is Jungle Bells‘ bigger sibling that lives farther away. The Zoo lights up its paths. The Safari Park lights up a lagoon, a forest, a bridge and a canyon’s worth of gardens, then puts on an actual timed show. It’s closer to a real light event than the Zoo’s version, and you still get the giraffes.

What you’ll see

Light Up the Holidays: a five-minute show set to music at the Celebration Tree in Safari Base Camp, every half hour from 5 to 8 PM.

Bridge of Lights: a musical tunnel of light over the Safari Walk Bridge. The photo everyone takes.

Nairobi Lantern Walk and Enchanted Lagoon: lanterns along Nairobi Walk, then floating lights and a lit waterfall on Mombasa Lagoon.

Forest of Color and Lights of Baja: a lit-up Arbor Walk and the desert gardens at Condor Ridge, both quieter than the Base Camp crowd.

Live music and storytelling run from 4 PM on, including a violin duo on Nairobi Walk and a guitar duo that roams Condor Ridge.

Santa: at Safari Base Camp noon–8 PM on Nov 27–29 and Dec 18–23. He’s also in daytime only (10 AM–5 PM) on Dec 5–6 and 12–13, and 10 AM–3 PM on Christmas Eve. His break schedule is posted and includes a Zoom call with the elves, which kids find more convincing than you’d expect. Other Santas worth the trip if the timing doesn’t work.

Insider tips

Come early: many habitats, trails and the Africa Tram close before dark. If the animals matter, arrive by early afternoon and treat the lights as the second half of the day.

Don’t wait on the show: it repeats every 30 minutes. Catch it on the way out instead of camping at the tree.

Get the map first: the park is big enough that the Wild Holidays map (on the official site) saves a lot of backtracking in the dark.

Dress for Escondido: inland nights run colder than the coast. Bring the jacket you think you won’t need.

Wild Holidays FAQs

What are the Wild Holidays 2026 dates?

November 28–29, December 18–23, and December 26, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Members get a preview night on November 27.

Is it open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Not for Wild Holidays. Santa is there 10 AM–3 PM on Christmas Eve, but there are no evening lights either night.

Do I need a separate ticket?

No. It’s included with regular Safari Park admission or membership.

Zoo or Safari Park?

Pick the Safari Park if you’re in North County or want more of a light show. Pick Jungle Bells at the Zoo if you’re central, have small kids, or don’t want 45 minutes of freeway each way. Doing both only makes sense with a membership.

Bottom line

The better of the two zoo light events, if you can get to Escondido. Plan around the gap in early December, show up while the animals are still out, and stay for the lagoon.

Making a day of it up north: North County Christmas and Lightscape in Encinitas.