Free Holiday Lights Return To Turtle Back Zoo In Essex County For 2015

Some people might think that spending the holidays at the zoo is weird.

But not in Essex County.

This year, the Turtle Back Zoo will again be hosting its free Holiday Lights Spectacular, featuring 50 animal and holiday-themed figures dressed up with festive lights.

According to a release, almost 100,000 lights will illuminate figures of bears, tigers and elephants, along with lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. Several animal exhibits will be open to zoo visitors, including the Sea Lion Sound, Essex Farm, Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve, Tropical Currents Aquarium and the Reptile Building.

Children’s photo opportunities will be available with zoo mascot, Myrtle the Turtle, as well as a “Selfies with Santa Claus” and letters to the North Pole station, until Dec. 23.

Additional events include:

• A Holiday Gift Bazaar will be held Saturday, November 28th from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Berson Learning Center and the Ronald Mount Building.
• An artist will create an amazing ice sculpture on the amphitheater stage on Saturdays, December 12th and 19th and Sundays, December 13th and 20th. Check on his progress throughout the night.
• The student chorus from Essex County West Caldwell Campus will perform a holiday concert on Tuesday, December 15th at 6 p.m. in the Berson Learning Center.
• “Storytime with Ms. Claus” will be held Friday, December 18th to Wednesday, December 23rd at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the Berson Learning Center. An additional fee of $10 applies. Tickets must be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com.
• Princess characters will be available for a meet and greet during the weekends of December 4-6 and 11-13 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Holiday Lights Spectacular will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on the following dates:

• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 27, 28 and 29
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 4, 5 and 6
• Daily from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, January 3

See related article: PHOTOS: Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo

See related article: Holiday Lights Spectacular Returns to Turtle Back Zoo (Photos)