CMZoo’s 50 acres of twinkling mountainside lights, named 2019 Third Best Zoo Lights in U.S., is again nominated for national USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice ranking. More than 50 acres of twinkling lights, 85 artisan-made light sculptures, breathtaking night time city views and the nearby sound of roaring lions can only mean one thing in Colorado Springs: Electric Safari is back.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 30th annual month-long celebration of the season will begin Friday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 6, and continue Friday, Dec. 11 through Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, excluding Christmas Eve. Members and their accompanying paying guests are granted early admission at 4:20 p.m. General admission starts at 5:20 p.m. and the event ends at 8:30 p.m.
Electric Safari is free for CMZoo members, but advance e-tickets are required for all attendees. The general public and members can secure tickets at cmzoo.org/electric.
Attendees will enjoy lit trees, structures and sculptures, installed by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo grounds and maintenance teams over three months of Electric Safari preparation. If all of those beautiful lights don’t un-Scrooge even the Grinchiest of holiday grumps, a cup of hot cocoa and a visit with Santa ought to do the trick. Kris Kringle will be travelling through the Zoo until Dec. 23 to hear holiday wishes and pose for free photos. The Mountaineer Sky Ride will be open (weather permitting) to provide incredible once-a-year views of the nighttime glow of Colorado Springs as a backdrop from the mountainside of twinkling lights.
All COVID-19 precautions will be in place for this event. Learn more at cmzoo.org/open. Outdoor areas of the Zoo will be open throughout the event, but most buildings will be closed due to Level Red COVID-19 restrictions. Dining options will be limited and available for take-out only.
The following animals will not be viewable, due to these closures:
– Giraffe
– Elephant/Rhino (viewing available through windows)
– Wallabies (viewing available through windows)
– Scutes Family Gallery
– The Loft
– Water’s Edge: Africa (limited access)
– Primate World
Electric Safari was named Third Best Zoo Lights in the nation last year, by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and has once again been nominated. Supporters can vote once daily at www.cmzoo.org/vote through 10 a.m. MST on Monday, Dec. 7. Winners will be announced Friday, Dec. 18.
Electric Safari Fast Facts
Dates:
Friday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020
Friday, Dec. 11 – Friday, Jan. 1, 2021*
(*Electric Safari is not open on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.)
Time:
5:20 – 8:30 p.m. nightly (last admission at 7:20 p.m.)
Early admission at 4:20 p.m. for Zoo members and their paying accompanying guests.
All guests, including those under age 2, and members must reserve an e-ticket in advance.
Electric Safari is sponsored by Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Cordera, US Bank, and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers. For more information, visit: cmzoo.org/electric.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2020, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.