On a regular day, Brookfield Zoo is a place where families can spend quality time together by learning about wildlife and enjoy viewing the assortment of animals that the zoo has to offer. But during the Holiday season, Brookfield Zoo opens its gates right before the sun begins to set for a holiday-themed light extravaganza spanning the entire Zoo, that families from all walks of life can enjoy. When entering the Zoo, people were met with beautiful projections of lights, rows of Christmas trees, meticulously placed ornaments and reefs, and the warming feel of the holiday spirit in the air.
It’s not a surprise that the Zoo is an expert at capturing the essence of the Holidays and creating such a successful spectacle each year. According to the Brookfield Zoo’s website, the event has been the longest-running lights festival in Chicagoland, dating back to 1982.
Holiday magic featured interactive displays and Lights, a meeting with Santa, a 16-foot-tall LED gingerbread house, an illuminating orb, juggling Elves, carolers at every corner, giant LED animals, sweet hot chocolate, and even more fun things that visitors could see, and do at every turn. Amanda Rodriquez, a frequent Zoo attendee, says, “It is such a fun time for the family, and it is always good to get out of the house, especially right now when we are all mostly inside. If you’re a fan of Christmas lights and the Zoo, I recommend it.”
Rodriguez, like many other guests that have gone to Holiday Magic, have made beautiful memories at the Zoo. Rodrigues shares, “About seven or six years ago I brought my mom to see the Christmas lights here…I had a great time talking and walking around with her and it was just a joy getting to see her reaction, she really loved it.”
Workers at the zoo were hard at work to make sure that guests would have the jolliest time. Erika Hurt, a retail worker at the zoo says, “on black Friday we start Holiday Magic, so like, two-ish weeks before that is when we start setting up.” Hurt recalls her own contribution to setting up Holiday Magic when saying, “I helped set up the coast gift shop…I spent one day reorganizing everything and stringing up lights and stuff.” Throughout the Zoo you could easily find workers, like Hurt, that happily assisted you with your needs and were determined to give you memorable holiday memories at the Zoo.
This year’s Holiday Magic, which was co-sponsored by ComEd and Meijer, began on November 24 and concluded on December 31.
