During the day of Wild Holidays, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will operate as usual. But during Wild Holidays evening, you'll get to see the trails completely transformed in their Christmas finest.
To me, the Safari Park's wide-open landscapes and roaming wildlife already make it unique, but when you get to be there for the Wild Holidays event, that's something special - festive shows, incredible decorations, and the animals of course which all make for a truly unique holiday experience.
The holiday events and activities, decoration and more kick off as soon as you enter the park at the Safari Base Camp and continue throughout Nairobi Village, African Woods, and other areas.
Let's dive into some of the highlights of the event!
Entrance Sign to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Safari Base Camp Highlights
The wintertime fun will begin right as you enter the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
You'll be treated to dazzling decorations and twinkling lights plus stores like Safari Outfitters and Bazaar Market offering exclusive merchandise for guests that want to do a little holiday shopping!
Safari Park Radio 197.2 FM
For me, the sounds of holiday classics like 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire' and 'Frosty the Snowman' really get me in the holiday spirit!
So I find it really cool that the Safari Park's very own park-operated radio station 197.2 FM will be broadcasting a mix of traditional and contemporary holiday tunes from 4:00pm until 8:00pm each night of the event.
Celebration Tree and Holiday Lights
You'll want to make sure to stop by the Wild Holidays Celebration Tree, which won't be hard to miss on your left hand side in Safari Base Camp. The giant tree will be decorated in wildlife-themed lights and ornaments. The Christmas tree is lit each afternoon at 4:00pm, but I find it's best viewed after sunset, from about 5:00pm on.
Safari Base Camp also features a Light Up the Holidays choreographed light show set to Christmas songs. The Carol of the Bells Medley will play on the hour, and the Jingle Bells Medley will play on the half hour. I'm always amazed by the dancing holiday lights and classic music which sets the seasonal ambience…and we haven't even left the first part of the park!
And one more highlight for me worth mentioning up front is the Bridge of Lights. Located at the Safari Walk Bridge the magical and musical tunnel is a quick stop taking place from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.
Meet Santa
Santa's busy in the lead-up to Christmas, but he always makes time to meet with kids at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!
Kids can sit on Santa's lap, share their Christmas gift list, and get a commemorative photo that's perfect for your holiday card. You can have your family photo taken at select times during Wild Holidays as well as during some non-Wild Holiday event days.
Here's a quick rundown of Santa's schedule:
- November 28th – 30th & December 19th – 23rd: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
- December 6th – 7th, 13th – 14th: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Christmas Eve & Christmas Day: 10:00am - 3:00pm
And just so you know, on November 28th through 30th and December 19th through 23rd, Santa will be away at the following times:
- 2:00pm - 2:15pm: Zoom call with elves
- 4:15pm - 4:45pm: Toy inventory
- 6:30pm - 6:45pm: Making a list and checking it twice!
On Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, the big guy will be away at the following times:
- 11:45am – 12:00pm: Zoom call with elves
- 1:30pm – 2:00pm: Preparing to return to the North Pole
Plan accordingly so your kids don't miss him. If you're interested in more places to see Santa in San Diego in 2025, check out our all-new guide covering Where to See Santa in San Diego: Family-Friendly Events 2025.
Tiger Trail at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Nairobi Village and African Woods
Your next stop will likely be the Nairobi Village and African Woods area located on the right side of Safari Base Camp.
Get ready for festive storytelling, holiday music, and more beautiful lights as you continue your journey through the park.
'Twas the Night before Wild Holidays
The classic tale of 'Twas the Night before Christmas will get a wild twist in 2025 with an all-new story, 'Twas the Night before Wild Holidays, filled with cameos from the park's animal residents and interactive fun for listeners.
Your family can join Safari Parker at the Village Playground for this 20-minute wintery read-along at 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm every day.
Holiday Troubadour
Rounding out the schedule at the Village Playground in between story readings will be the Holiday Troubadour, who will invite park guests to sing along with acoustic guitar renditions of timeless classics.
His musical performances will run at 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 7:30pm for 30 minutes of pure musical magic. These performances are interactive and great for kids, so I highly recommend checking them out.
Turtle Doves Violin Duo
After a little festive storytelling and interactive holiday acoustical guitar, I recommend you head over to the Nairobi Walk at 4:15pm, 5:15pm, 6:15pm, or 7:15pm to listen to music by the Turtle Doves, a violin duo performing symphonic versions of holiday classics. Each set is 30 minutes long.
Nairobi Lantern Walk and Enchanted Lagoon
The San Diego Safari Park will be adored with decoration and light displays of all shapes and sizes. Some of my favorites can be found in Nairobi Village.
The Nairobi Lantern Walk illuminates a path with lanterns that dance to a holiday soundtrack.
There's also the Mombasa Lagoon, which will be transformed into the Enchanted Lagoon during Wild Holidays with floating holiday lights, adding a special glow to the beauty of the lighted waterfall.
Both of these experiences will run continuously from 5:00pm until 8:00 pm.