– 21-night holiday tradition starts Friday, Dec. 7; Tickets available now –
November 12, 2018, Colorado Springs, CO -More than 50 acres of twinkling lights, 85 artisan-made light sculptures, breathtaking nighttime 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 28th annual month-long celebration of the season will begin Friday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 9, and continue Friday, Dec. 14 through Tuesday, Jan. 1, excluding Christmas Eve. Members and their accompanying paying guests are granted early admission at 4:30 p.m. General admission is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with the final admission at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now at cmzoo.org/electric.
Attendees will enjoy more than 50 acres of lit trees, structures and sculptures, installed by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo grounds and maintenance teams over four 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 and Mrs. Claus ought to do the trick. Kris Kringle and his jolly lady will be in Safari Lodge through Dec. 23 to hear holiday wishes, collect lists and pose for free photos. The carousel and historic 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.
Electric Safari wouldn’t be complete without select animal exhibits and special nighttime animal demonstrations, as well as small animal encounters in The Loft. Electric Safari offers paid feeding opportunities with our famous giraffe herd and our budgie flock, and visits to the elephant barn, Encounter Africa, Rocky Mountain Wild (except grizzly bears and wolves), Asian Highlands, Monkey Pavilion, Scutes Family Gallery and Australia Walkabout.
Grizzly Grill, The Overlook, Pizza with a View, Elson’s Place and the gift shop will be open to serve food and beverages. Fire pits and outdoor heaters throughout the Zoo add to the unique experience and help keep visitors warm in between the indoor animal exhibits.
Electric Safari has been a Colorado Springs holiday tradition for 28 years. Because some nights during previous years’ events have had large crowds, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is limiting the number of attendees each night. The Zoo is encouraging members to reserve their free tickets in advance, and the general public can save $2 per ticket when they purchase online in advance. Neither members nor the general public will be allowed access after a night’s tickets have sold out.
Electric Safari Fast Facts
Dates: Friday, Dec. 7 – Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018
Friday, Dec. 14 – Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019*
(*Electric Safari is not open on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.)
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. nightly (last admission at 7:30 p.m.)
Early admission at 4:30 p.m. for Zoo members and their paying accompanying guests
Cost: Free for Zoo Members*
Online Non-Member Prices
(Available for purchase online until 3 p.m. the day of attendance.)
Adult (ages 12-64): $12.75
Child (ages 3-11): $8.75
Military adult: $9.75
Military child: $5.75
Senior (65+): $10.75
Ages 2 and under: 75¢Gate Non-Member Prices
Adult (ages 12-64): $14.75
Child (ages 3-11): $10.75
Military adult $11.75
Military child: $7.75
Senior (65+): $12.75
Ages 2 and under: 75¢
Electric Safari is sponsored by Children’s Hospital Colorado and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers.
For more information, visit: cmzoo.org/electric.
Photos for media use are available here. Please credit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s only mountain zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s hope that 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 ten operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.