The Akron Zoo has two fabulous events for families this Christmas season. This is their second year for Wild Lights, visit after dark to enjoy thousands of lights, animal encounters, and more. Snack with Santa gives kids the chance to meet Santa Claus in Santa Land in the afternoon. Enjoy a buffet of hot and cold appetizers along with crafts and more.
Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo
This is the second year for Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo – read our review here. We had a fabulous time as a family last year enjoying the lights and entertainment. Exploring the zoo in the dark surrounded by thousands of lights is a completely new way to experience our local zoo. Kids love it!
Starting this weekend and through the end of the month, enjoy Christmas light displays and synchronized lights throughout the zoo, visits with Santa, live entertainment, and more. Santa is always very good at the Akron Zoo and there is never a long line so you can spend time chatting with him.
Treats and beverages can be purchased at three different locations: Mrs. C’s Sweet Shop, Komodo Kingdom and Grasslands Café.
Check out the variety of live entertainment here:
• 12/1: Field High School Choir
Snow Queen, Ice Princess and Ice Harvester Characters
• 12/2: Kenmore-Garfield High School Choir
Snow Queen, Ice Princess and Ice Harvester Characters
• 12/3: Snow Queen, Ice Princess and Ice Harvester Characters
• 12/8: Medina High School Choir
Ice carving by Elegant Ice Creations
• 12/9: Firestone Community Learning Center Choir
Ice carving by University of Akron’s Culinary Artist Club
• 12/10: Pella Penguins from Youngstown State University
Ice carving by Elegant Ice Creations
• 12/15: Stow-Munroe Falls High School Choir
Galactic Villain, Galactic Princess and Galactic Warrior Characters
• 12/16: Tallmadge High School Choir
Galactic Villain, Galactic Princess and Galactic Warrior Characters
• 12/17: St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Choir
Galactic Villain, Galactic Princess and Galactic Warrior Characters
• 12/21: Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts Choir
Ice carving by University of Akron’s Culinary Artist Club
• 12/22: Ice carving by Elegant Ice Creations
• 12/23: Ice carving by Elegant Ice Creations
• 12/26 – 12/30: Crafts After Christmas
Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo Dates:
Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 21-23 and 26-30 from 5 – 9 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the zoo box office or online at akronzoo.org.
Akron Zoo members: Adult presale tickets 24 hours or more in advance for $9 and children tickets for $6. Day-of tickets for members are $12 for adults and $9 for children.
Non-Akron Zoo members presale adult tickets 24 hours or more in advance for $12 and $8 for children. Day-of ticket prices for non-members are $15 for adults and $11 for children.
Kids 2 and under FREE, but they must have a ticket to enter the zoo.
Non-Akron Zoo members will be charged $3 per vehicle for parking.
Akron Zoo to host Snack with Santa event
Snack with Santa is on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17 from 3 – 5 p.m. Meet Santa Claus in Santa Land and enjoy a buffet filled with a variety of delicious hot and cold appetizers.
There will be Christmas themed crafts, letter writing to Santa, animal encounters, and even stories from Santa’s helpers. Snack with Santa is from 3-5pm, afterward stay for FREE admission to Wild Lights from 5-9pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the zoo box office or online at akronzoo.org.
Akron Zoo member prices are $25 for children and $18 for adults.
Non-member prices are $31 for children and $24 for adults.
Registration is required, and tickets include admission to Wild Lights. Infants are free, but they must have a ticket to enter the zoo.
Akron Zoo
500 Edgewood Avenue
Akron, Ohio
The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Winter hours are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is $7 per person. Children under two are free and parking is $3. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or call (330) 375-2550.
