Holiday season roars into zoos
'Twas the month before Christmas and Momma was pouting. She wanted an unforgettable outing.Then quick as a cheetah, she knew what to do. Bundle the kids up #8212; head out to the zoo.Parents eager to find an activity where kids can let off steam, learn something and embrace the season have a choice of festivals at local zoos.Brookfield Zoo is celebrating 30 years of its Holiday Magic festival.#8220;It started out as a small party for kids in the children's barn and evolved into a large zoowide event,#8221; Brookfield marketing coordinator Julia Enderly said.
The festival includes live entertainment, caroling to the animals and more than 1 million colorful lights. #8220;It's suitable for all ages,#8221; Enderly said. #8220;We have different events for different age groups.#8221;Starting Saturday, Dec. 3, Holiday Magic runs from 4 to 9 p.m. weekends through Dec. 18, then every day Dec. 26-31.
With three decades to remember, zoo organizers brought back some old favorites including a light display that illustrates #8220;The Night Before Christmas,#8221; a laser show and dancing trees.And, if you're worried about having your little ones being out in the cold too long, dance and musical acts perform inside the Holly Jolly Theater.
#8220;There's entertainment all night long so you can sit down, have a hot chocolate and stay warm,#8221; Enderly said. Zoo restaurants will be open offering cold-weather favorites including hot cider, soup, cookies and cappuccino.
Caroling to the animals starts with a serenade to the tigers at 5:30 p.m., farm animals at 6:30 p.m. and the bears at 7:30 p.m.
#8220;Sometimes (the animals) don't notice, at other times they'll watch what's going on,#8221; Enderly explained, adding that #8212; of course #8212; the reindeer naturally seem especially attuned to the music.
Staff members sneak in a little educational material along with the fun, hosting zoo chats featuring reindeer, polar and grizzly bears along with the big cats.
#8220;We take questions, so it's very interactive,#8221; Enderly said. #8220;One of our main missions is connecting animals and nature with people who come to the zoo.#8221;
As an extra feature, a little high-tech tinkering with the lights will make it appear as if a mini-blizzard is happening.
#8220;We can't control the weather, but we can make it snow,#8221; Enderly said.
To close out 2011, Brookfield Zoo is hosting Zoo Year's Eve from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. There will be music, games and an early countdown at 8 p.m.
Heading into Chicago to shop or take in the holiday sights? Include Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights event on the tour.
Organizers are promising 2 million lights with features that include light tunnels, a #8220;wall of water#8221; and illuminated snowmen.
Santa will greet his fans amid the roars at the Kovler Lion House and if you really want to get around, the ATT Endangered Species Carousel will be twirling all night.
ZooLights takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 1. The event runs Friday through Sunday evenings until Dec. 16, when it's held nightly.
In the heart of the suburbs, Cosley Zoo offers a unique seasonal festival with its Festival of Lights and Christmas Trees.
Instead of buying your tree from a lot, you can feed the ducks, greet the goats and have your choice of Scotch pines, Douglas, balsam and Fraser firs along with decorative evergreens. The sale is an important fundraiser for the Wheaton zoo.
Twenty-thousand lights will twinkle on trees and buildings at the zoo from 3 to 9 p.m. running through December.
If you go
<b>Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic: </b>First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org/events. Hours; 4 to 9 p.m. weekends Dec. 3-18 and 26-31
<b>Cosley Zoo's Festival of Lights and Christmas Trees: </b>1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, (630) 665-5534 or Cosleyzoo.org. Hours: 3 to 9 p.m. through December
<b>Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights: </b>2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, (312) 742-2000 or Lpzoo.org. Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until Dec. 16 and then nightly through Jan. 1