Holiday light display returns to the Potawatomi Zoo

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. — The holiday light display at the Potawatomi Zoo is back this holiday season.

The Gift of Lights display will be available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Dec. 20. But, unlike in previous years, guests will need to purchase their tickets online in advance.

“We do require timed ticketing in advance of this. So, you have to go get your tickets online before you can actually come to the Gift of Lights. And so, that’s so we can keep track of how many people are coming into the zoo and make sure that we are giving enough space in the zoo for social distancing,” said Kristina Barroso Burrell, the marketing and communications manager at the Potawatomi Zoo.

This holiday season, the Potawatomi Zoo will once again be lit up with tons of decorations and lighting displays for the third annual Gift of Lights.

The Christmas tree is located in the plaza, the train is all decked out with lighting and the gift shop will be open for guests. Santa Claus can be found in his own tent at the red barn every night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Barroso Burrell said this lighting experience is a unique one where guests can enjoy all the lights and check out the animals at the same time.

“People love to see, but don’t always get to, like the red pandas, the tigers, really noisy at night for some reason. Some of the other big cats are really excited about the lights and things like that. So, there's just different things you can do here,” Barroso Burrell said.

Guests will also be allowed to feed the farm animals.

Tickets can be purchased here

The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Dec. 20.