Holiday Magic returns to Brookfield Zoo

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Brookfield Zoo Interpretive Programs Manager Andre Copeland share what guests will find at Holiday Magic this year. He also brought along a couple penguin friends from the zoo!

(PRESS RELEASE)

Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic Creates a Winter Wonderland Festival for the Entire Family

Brookfield, Ill. - 'Tis the season for Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, and this year's event is set to dazzle guests like never before. For 12 evenings, guests can enjoy Chicagoland's largest light festival featuring one million twinkling LED lights illuminating the zoo's walkways, nearly 550 trees decorated by local community organizations and corporations, professional ice-carving demonstrations, caroling to the animals, live entertainment, a 38-foot talking tree, a model railroad display, and the all-new Holiday Village featuring Santa's Cottage. The 33rd annual Holiday Magic, presented by ComEd and Meijer, will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, December 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21 and the entire week of December 26-31, from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

The fun begins during the opening ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on December 6 at the giant Talking Tree and continues throughout the holly jolly season with activities, including visits with Santa, who will be available in his cottage at the Holiday Village, located on the zoo's West Mall. There, children can share their holiday wish list with Santa and Mrs. Claus through December 21. The Holiday Village also features Santa's sleigh, 3D snowmen and reindeer statues, and a giant snow globe.

Guests can visit many of their favorite animal exhibits, including Great Bear Wilderness, Tropic World, Big Cats, The Fragile Kingdom, The Living Coast, The Swamp, Birds and Reptiles, Feathers and Scales, and Hamill Family Play Zoo, which will stay open until 8:00 p.m. during Holiday Magic. In addition, zoogoers can share holiday cheer by singing along with carolers and serenading the bears, camel, and cats with seasonal songs.

No visit to Holiday Magic would be complete without a chance to learn about the animals from zookeepers. Special Zoo Chats will be held throughout each evening.

At the Holly Jolly Theater, guests can warm their hands and take in live entertainment that will take place nightly between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. In addition, there will be magicians, a model railroad display, costumed characters, and professional ice carvers, who will transform giant blocks of ice into frozen pieces of art.

On the zoo's East Mall, lit 3D animal statues representing some of the zoo's newest additions-a gorilla, giraffes, and bison-will create a festive atmosphere. Each evening, the faade at The Swamp will be illuminated with a Holiday Light Spectacular set to music. This show, new to Holiday Magic, will feature photos submitted by guests, who will share their memories of Holiday Magic. The photos will be changed weekly, and the public is invited to submit their personal photos to brookfieldzoo@yahoo.com.

The zoo's restaurants and food stands will be serving holiday treats and drinks, such as hot chocolate, cookies, and cappuccino. Zoo gift shops will be open and will have plenty of stocking stuffers and presents perfect for those hard-to-shop-for family members and friends.

This holiday season, Brookfield Zoo's co-sponsor ComEd is teaming up with Chicago Cares, the city's leading volunteer service organization, for its "Warm Up Chicago" drive. Guests to Holiday Magic are being asked to help those in need during the cold-weather months by bringing new hats and gloves in any size on the following evenings of Holiday Magic: December 6, 13, 20, and 27. Hat and glove donations will be distributed to thousands of Chicago's underserved adults and children before the holidays.

Holiday Magic culminates on Wednesday, December 31, when everyone is invited to rock in the New Year at Brookfield Zoo's Zoo Year's Eve celebration. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., a DJ will have the Holly Jolly Theater rockin' with fun games and party favors. At Hamill Family Play Zoo, youngsters can make noisemakers and enjoy an early kid-friendly countdown at 8:00 p.m.

For more information and a complete schedule of Holiday Magic activities and entertainment, visit www.CZS.org/Magic or call (708) 688-8000. Guests will also receive a schedule of events when they arrive.

During Holiday Magic, guests should park in Brookfield Zoo's main parking lot (First Avenue and 31st Street). Activities are free (with the exception of rides, cookie decorating, and photo opportunities) with paid admission. Online discount tickets to Holiday Magic are available at www.CZS.org/Magic. Regular admission is $16.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 and under are free. Car parking is $10; bus parking is $15.

The Chicago Zoological Society inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for Brookfield Zoo's innovative, naturalistic, multispecies exhibits and for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. For further information, visit www.czs.org.