Brookfield Zoo, located just outside of Chicago, offers a truly unique and festive experience for visitors on New Year’s Day. As part of the zoo’s annual Holiday Magic celebration, guests can immerse themselves in a winter wonderland filled with dazzling light displays, captivating performances, and the opportunity to explore various animal habitats.
Illuminating the Night: Brookfield Zoo’s Light Displays
The Brookfield Zoo transforms into a mesmerizing display of lights during the Holiday Magic event. Visitors can stroll through the zoo and marvel at the over two million LED lights that create giant animal light displays, including bison, reindeer, giraffe, and bear. The highlight of the experience is the two 300-foot light tunnels, which are synchronized to seasonal tunes, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.
Festive Ambiance: Community and Corporate Trees
Adding to the festive ambiance, the Brookfield Zoo features nearly 900 lit and decorated trees located on the zoo’s malls and around the Roosevelt Fountain. These trees, sponsored by the local community and corporate partners, contribute to the overall holiday spirit and create a visually stunning backdrop for visitors to enjoy.
Captivating Performances and Interactive Experiences
Throughout the evening, visitors can enjoy a variety of performances and interactive experiences. The zoo welcomes the talented Those Funny Little People and juggling elves, who entertain guests with their lively and engaging acts. Visitors can also participate in jolly dance parties at the Polar Plaza (Hamill Family Nature Plaza) and take a festive spin on the Carousel.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the Brookfield Zoo offers a virtual reality journey called “Elf Power,” which allows guests to explore the world of Santa’s helpers and reindeer. This seasonal virtual reality experience adds an extra layer of excitement to the New Year’s Day festivities.
Photographic Opportunities Galore
The Brookfield Zoo provides numerous photo opportunities for visitors to capture the magic of the Holiday Magic event. Guests can take memorable photos inside a luminous 20-foot-tall orb, in front of a 41-foot-tall tree, next to a 16-foot-tall 3D gingerbread house, and in a holiday-themed festive frame.
Exploring Animal Habitats
While the Brookfield Zoo’s light displays and festive activities are the main draw on New Year’s Day, visitors can also explore various indoor and outdoor animal habitats that remain open during the event. These include Tropic World, Big Cats, The Swamp, Feathers and Scales, Reptiles and Birds, Desert’s Edge, Clouded Leopard Rain Forest, The Living Coast, Hamill Family Wild Encounters (reindeer and goats only), Great Bear Wilderness, Australia House, and the Hamill Family Play Zoo.
Admission, Parking, and Reservations
Admission to the Brookfield Zoo on New Year’s Day is $29.95 for adults, $20.95 for children, and $24.95 for seniors 65 and older. Parking at the zoo ranges from $17 to $20. Advanced reservations are recommended but not required for entry at the North Gate, while South Gate entry requires advance reservations and parking fees for all attendees, including zoo members.
Dining Options
Visitors to the Brookfield Zoo on New Year’s Day can enjoy a variety of dining options, including standard menu items as well as holiday favorites like hot chocolate, cookies, and mulled wine.
Brookfield Zoo’s New Year’s Day celebration is a truly magical experience that combines the wonder of a winter wonderland with the opportunity to explore the zoo’s diverse animal habitats. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in the dazzling light displays, enjoy festive performances, or simply create lasting memories with your loved ones, the Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic event is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable New Year’s Day celebration.
References
- Brookfield Zoo. (n.d.). Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Brookfield Zoo’s Final Night of Holiday Magic. Retrieved from https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/Celebrate-New-Year%E2%80%99s-Eve-at-Brookfield-Zoo%E2%80%99s-Final-Night-of-Holiday-Magic
- Brookfield Zoo. (n.d.). Holiday Magic. Retrieved from https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/HolidayMagic
- Fox 32 Chicago. (2023, December 30). Brookfield Zoo’s final night of Holiday Magic on New Year’s Eve. Retrieved from https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/brookfield-zoo-final-night-holiday-magic-new-years-eve