SAN DIEGO ---- If you like your holidays on the wild side, you may want to check out Jungle Bells, the San Diego Zoo's third annual holiday celebration.
The three-week festival will have live animal shows, tree-lighting ceremonies, animal encounters, storytelling, holiday decor and food specials, Santa Claus and extended hours. New at Jungle Bells this year, the zoo offers live music nightly and the premiere of the park's 4-D theater.
Jungle Bells kicks off Dec. 9 and runs through Jan. 1. During the festival, the zoo will stay open until 8 p.m. (except on Christmas Eve, when the park will close at 5 p.m.). The park is open Christmas and New Year's Day.
The highlight of this year's festival is the 4-D theater, built near the Polar Bear Plunge exhibit. The 50-seat theater shows 3-D animal-themed films enhanced with special effects including water mist, wind blasts, snowfall, bubbles, scents and vibrating seats. Two 15-minute films will alternate screenings throughout the day. Films are $6 (not included with park admission).
Santa's workshop will be set up just inside the park's turnstiles, and there will be live entertainment throughout the park, including an English handbell choir (5, 6 and 7 p.m. nightly), acrobatic elves (hourly, 3:30-6:30 p.m.), holiday lighting, close-up animal encounters (4-8 p.m.), and the Treehouse Blitzen holiday light show in Treehouse Plaza (every 15 minutes after dark).
The park's Skyfari aerial ride and its wheeled tram ride will be decorated for the holidays as well.
Dr. Zoolittle will read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" (adapted in zoo style) at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. in the Children's Zoo. And each night at 5:30 and 7 p.m., there will be live holiday and bluegrass music by Angels With Strings in Wegeforth Bowl.
The "Tinseltown Trolley Light Tour" will take zoo visitors on a tour of the park, and riders can sing carols as they travel. The trolley leaves every 20 minutes from 4:30-8 p.m.
Gift shops will be open late for holiday shopping. The zoo is offering an "Adopt an Animal" gift program, where for $15, buyers get an adoption certificate, fact sheet, plush toy and photo of their animal.
Park eateries will be serving holiday specials. Albert's Restaurant will offer a $6 appetizer, wine, beer and cocktail menu from 3 to 6 p.m. daily, along with a $30 prix-fixe pork loin dinner. And children can snack on holiday-colored cotton candy, cocoa and other treats.
All holiday activities (except 4-D movies) are free with paid admission to the zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive in San Diego. Admission (including Skyfari aerial tram and guided bus tour) is $40 for adults and $30 for children (3-11). Visit sandiegozoo.org or call 619-234-3153.
courtesy of: http://www.nctimes.com, Pam Kragen
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