Folsom Zoo Wild Nights, Holiday Lights

December 6-22, 2024. 5-8:30 p.m. (weather permitting; heavy rains will cancel)

Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
403 Stafford Street
Folsom, CA
$10, folsomzoofriends.org, folsom.ca.us
$6 Starlight Train ride
Parking is FREE! The best place to park is the lots directly behind City Hall, 50 Natoma Street.

Folsom Zoo Sanctuary Holiday Lights is a City of Folsom event. All proceeds from Holiday Lights benefit the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary animals. A magical winter wonderland awaits guests at the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary's 10th annual Wild Nights and Holiday Lights event. Highlights include:

• Thousands of feet of bright and colorful light strands, countless sparkling ornaments, 100 decorated trees, and lighted animal figures New Barnyard Experience serves as the entrance
• Zookeepers  provide enrichment for the animals after dark
• Zoo Sanctuary Docents are on hand to share their knowledge and provide fun facts
• The zoo sanctuary mascot, Santa Paws, will be on hand each night to pose for photo ops.\
• Local caroling groups and musicians provide the merry sounds of the season.
• The Folsom Valley Railway miniature live steam train, Starlight Express, provides special nighttime rides for kids and adults.
• Special treats and beverages are available for purchase from Fisher’s Beastro and from visiting food trucks.

Many hours of hands-on work by volunteers – local families, businesses, community groups – and city staff go into installing the lights, decorations and displays for the event. Thousands of feet of bright and colorful light strands, countless sparkling ornaments and trees, lighted animal figures, and seasonal displays transform the Zoo Sanctuary with holiday spirit. Bambi's Tree Lot in Folsom generously provides 100 trees that are beautifully decorated by volunteers and placed throughout the zoo sanctuary. The very talented technical theater students in the Folsom High School drama department created a Sierra snowscape that will be on display on the canid deck.

During the nights of the event, zookeepers provide enrichment – special treats or food tucked into specially wrapped boxes or other containers – for some of the animals to enhance the experience for both visitors and animals alike. Zoo Sanctuary Docents are on hand to share their knowledge and provide fun facts and animal anecdotes. The event also provides a chance to see how many of the animals behave after dark.

The new Barnyard Experience serves as the entrance to the event this year. Guests will be able to visit with barnyard animals like Gus the horse, and Rosie and Hallie the miniature donkeys. A special seat awaits Santa Claus, who will drop by as his busy schedule permits. The zoo sanctuary mascot, Santa Paws, will be on hand each night to pose for photo ops. Local caroling groups and musicians provide the merry sounds of the season. The Folsom Valley Railway miniature live steam train provides special nighttime rides for kids and adults.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.