Have you ever wondered what the animals at the zoo do to celebrate the holidays? Well now you can find out during Wild Wonderland at Lowry Park Zoo Tampa! Beginning Dec. 8 through Dec. 24, guests to the zoo can celebrate the season with your favorite furry friends, Santa and more with plenty of fun-filled holiday festivities!  

The holiday fun starts immediately as you’re welcomed to the zoo with thousands of sparkling lights synchronized to holiday music during the spectacular Castle Light Show. As you marvel at the dazzling lights, look up in the sky and you just might see snow flurries!

The sparkling lights continue inside the zoo as animal figures, snowflakes, trees and “moving” displays light up the park in a way you’ve never seen before! In fact, the entire zoo has been decked out with magical seasonal displays that are sure to put you right in the holiday spirit like the all-new Frozen Forest, an icy wonderland full of snow, activities and more seasonal displays.

And of course, some of Lowry Park Zoo’s animals are getting on the holiday cheer including the African penguins, which will stay up late for the festivities charming guests with their black and white attire and incredible social behavior. Plus, guests can take a night tour with the African animals of the Zoo during the Safari Spectacular. For the first time ever, you can experience elephants, giraffes, zebras, white rhinos, okapi, cheetahs and pygmy hippos as they roam in their natural habitat under the starry night sky!

And what’s a holiday event without Santa Clause? Climb on Santa’s lap and tell him what you want for Christmas in his own North Pole Pavilion. Then get an up close look at his reindeer, who are waiting nearby. Guests of all ages can take in the unique animal and whisper your address into their ears to ensure Santa finds your house on Christmas Eve!

Families will also be able to enjoy some free Zoo rides and games throughout Wild Wonderland including the Winter Carousel, Tasmanian Tiger Family Roller Coaster, Boomer’s Flyin’ Bananas, Pony Trek, Overland Express Train, Outback Bumper Boats & the new Arctic Freeze Ice Slide, a 100 foot long slide that features nightly “Florida flurries.”

And after all of the displays, safaris, rides and games, catch up on your holiday shopping at one of Lowry Zoo’s holiday shops. Then refuel with a seasonal dessert or cocktail (adults only, of course).

For a wild holiday with Lowry Park Zoo’s animals look for discounted Wild Wonderland tickets right here on Best of Orlando.

Orlando, FL – 12/03/12