See the Utica Zoo in a Different Light at Bright Nights This Holiday Season

Bright Nights at the Utica Zoo Returns for the 2022 Season

UTICA – The Utica Zoo announces the return of its Bright Nights series, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 25 through Sunday, December 18. Every weekend starting November 25, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, the Utica Zoo will light up with over a dozen scenic winter light and decor displays. Santa and a giant jolly mailbox will be present nightly along with music, food trucks, campfires, and more!

The event will feature nightly readings of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and the opportunity for children to fill out and send their letters in Santa’s Mailbox. Children can see Santa collect the letters each evening from his mailbox. Each letter will be answered and include a special surprise from Santa Claus. (Proper return mailing address is required).

New this year, the Utica Zoo is partnering with the New York Power Authority to bring LocomotiveRides Mountain Express Train, a holiday-themed ride through the Zoo. The train will take visitors from one end of the zoo to the other, through the lighted displays. Rides are limited to one per visitor and included with the price of admission. The Mountain Express train will only be available November 26 & 27 and December 3 & 4.

General admission is $8.00 for adults; $5.00 for children; and $7.00 for seniors, military, and college students with ID. Children under one are free. Utica Zoo members receive 50 percent off admission. Tickets can be purchased at the time of arrival.

Bright Nights at the Utica Zoo is presented by Theresa Flemma and Jason Topi of Baird Wealth Management Group and sponsored by First Source Federal Credit Union, Nimey's New Generation Cars, Pratt & Whitney, Bank of Utica, Total Solutions, BME- Business Machines & Equipment Inc., McDonald's, the Zonta Club of Utica, and the New York Power Authority.

This event is weather permitting and may be cancelled due to inclement weather. In the event of a cancellation, updates will be posted to the Utica Zoo Facebook page, as well as their website, uticazoo.org/brightnights.

The Utica Zoo creates unique experiences and promotes public appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation and is home to over 200 exotic and domestic animals, welcoming over 100,000 visitors annually.

For more information on this, and all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org or follow us on Facebook Instagram @UticaZoo .