Experience the San Diego Zoo after dark with Jungle Bells. Get the complete guide to holiday lights, evening showtimes, festive music, and dates for the 2026–2027 season.
Overview
Jungle Bells is the San Diego Zoo’s premier winter event, keeping the gates open past dusk so you can experience your favorite animal habitats under a completely different light. Balboa Park gets a festive makeover with synchronized light shows, live brass bands, holiday troubadours, and classic seasonal treats.
The event is built for a full day-to-night experience: walk the grounds during the afternoon, grab a hot cocoa as the sun goes down, and catch the evening light treks and performances across the zoo.
What You Need to Know
- Event: Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
- When: December 18, 2026 – January 3, 2027, excluding Christmas Eve (Park open until 8 p.m. on event nights)
- Where: San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
- Cost: Included with regular zoo admission and memberships (no separate night ticket required)
- Official Site: zoo.sandiegozoo.org/jungle-bells
- Tickets: San Diego Zoo tickets
Holiday Highlights & Entertainment
- Front Street: Catch festive performances by Jingle Brass and join in on the Reindeer Games as you enter the park.
- Wildlife Explorers Basecamp: Home to whimsical holiday troubadours and roving jugglers like Jack Frost.
- Urban Jungle & Outback: Check out the Toy Shop Hop, fun character meet-and-greets, and the a cappella group Holiday Harmonies.
- Africa Rocks: Enjoy the special seasonal stage production of Dr. Zoolittle’s One Wild Night Before Christmas.
- Immersive Light Treks (5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.): Wander through glowing nighttime displays including Holiday Light Discovery along Tiger Trail, Celebration on Front Street, and the Symphony display at the Cactus Garden.
Good to Know
- Bring Layers: December evenings in Balboa Park drop in temperature quickly after the sun sets. A light jacket or sweater is a must, even if it's called "Jungle" Bells.
- Santa’s Factory: Located at the Price Education Center in the Lost Forest, Santa's shop typically opens earlier in the season (starting late November) with daytime and evening hours leading up to Christmas.
- Seamless Planning: If you're already planning a zoo day in December, just stay late—there's no need to buy a separate ticket for the evening festivities.
Looking for more festive holiday events, winter lights, and local happenings around town? Browse our full event calendar or explore more to do in Balboa Park.
