San Diego is getting its brightest holiday tradition back. Happy City News is delighted to share that Jungle Bells returns to the San Diego Zoo from December 18, 2026, through January 3, 2027, with the Zoo lighting up the night until 8 p.m. for a joyful, family-friendly celebration in Balboa Park.
Jungle Bells activities are included with all admission tickets and memberships, except on December 24. The evenings are packed with merry experiences for every age: the Front Street Jingle Brass plays seasonal favorites, Reindeer Games invites young explorers to join interactive dances and games, the Jack Frost Juggler roams Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, and a Holiday Troubadour leads sing-alongs to holiday classics.
Families can watch Santa’s acrobatic elves in Toy Shop Hop, meet Dr. Harry Lion, Churchill Polar Bear, Sydney Koala and friends in their holiday finest, enjoy Holiday Harmonies with a dusting of winter snow, and laugh along with Dr. Zoolittle’s One Wild Night Before Christmas in Africa Rocks. After dark, follow the Holiday Light Treks through the Painted Jungle, Rainbow Forest and Laser Trail, ride the Holiday Light Celebration route, and set lights and music in motion at the interactive Holiday Light Symphony.
Santa’s Factory, in the Lost Forest, opens November 28 for photos with Santa, with special hours through December 25. Arrive in the afternoon to see the animals in daylight, then stay as the lights come on for one of San Diego’s happiest nights of the year.
Photo: BrokenSphere / Wikimedia Commons
