JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Colors of the Wild holiday ZOOLights experience launched Thursday night with a special encounter between the zoo’s penguins and Jolly Old St. Nick.
The Magellanic penguins, which hail from the sub-Antarctic regions of coastal Chile and Argentina, waddled over to greet Santa Claus and his entourage, who will make nightly visits through Christmas Eve.
The ZOOLights holiday nights include specialty drinks, cozy fire pits, s’mores and other treats. Entertainment includes festive live music and hands-on arts and crafts activities.
The holiday market will be open on Thursday with unique gifts from local artists and vendors.
The Colors of the Wild experience, presented by Community First Credit Union, features more than 70 vibrant scenes made from authentic, custom-made silk Chinese lanterns. The intricately designed and constructed lanterns bring to life picturesque pathways, traditional Chinese mythologies, plants and animals, interactive displays and more.
Colors of the Wild tickets start at $20 for zoo members and $25 for non-members. Children ages 2 and under are free. The nighttime event is open from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on select days until Feb. 18.
A complete schedule and ticket information is at jacksonvillezoo.org.