December Buzz: Our festive season is underway

2023 December Buzz

The Gift of Lights in South Bend

The Gift of Lights, efficiently powered by Indiana Michigan Power, continues through December 23!

Along with meeting the Tiana and Irah, our visiting 6-month-old reindeer, you can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus (both free experiences!), enjoy hot drinks and snacks (plus some delicious seasonal adult beverages), feed the giraffes, ride the train, check out the gift shop, and so much more.

The Gift of Lights is Fridays and Saturdays from 5-9 pm, and Sundays from 5-8 pm.

Admission is available in-person at the Zoo only. Attraction passes may be used for the train and giraffe feeding.

Learn More Here!

Winter Break Day Camps

Our 2023 Winter Day Camps make a return December 27, 28, and 29 for K-6 students interested in discovering how our animals survive in all the seasons.

Campers will get an in-depth look at all the cool, features, facts, and traits our wonderful animals do to survive not only the cold, but all weather elements.

Day Camps are $35 for 1/2-day campers and $45 for the full day.

A packed lunched is required for all-day campers and a snack will be provided for both groups.

2024 Winter Days

We can't wait to start another exciting year for the Zoo!

Jump in on the fun as soon as possible during Winter Days. You'll get a sneak peek into the Zoo over the frigid months and maybe even get to see what's coming for the 2024 season.

Winter Days are are every other weekend starting January 6 from 12-3. We hope to see you here!

Winter Days are FREE for Zoo Members with card and ID.

The train will run (weather dependent). The carousel will be closed.

Winter Days Schedule

New Zoo Resident

Our giraffe herd grew by one this year! Zindzhi, a 6-year-old female Masai giraffe, moved to the Zoo via recommendation of the Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan. She'll be paired with Kellan for breeding, so we're very hopeful that we'll eventually have a giraffe family here in the future! It could take a while--giraffe gestation takes 14-15 months--but our fingers and toes are crossed for luck!

We would like to give a big thanks to South Bend Orthopaedics for helping to sponsor Zindzhi’s care and travel.