About the Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic:
The Brookfield Zoo celebrates the holiday season with its Holiday Magic event that includes almost one million lights; a computer choreographed light show; a laser light show; choirs; storytellers; magicians; and ice carving demonstrations.
Location - Brookfield Zoo:
The Brookfield Zoo is located at 1st Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois. It's exact address is 3300 Golf Road and its phone number is 708-688-8000.
Dates - Holiday Magic:
December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 26-31, 2011
Times - Holiday Magic:
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (exhibit buildings close at 8:30 p.m.)
Admission - Holiday Magic:
Regular zoo admission: Adults (12-64) $13.50; Seniors (ages 65+) $9.50; Children (ages 3-11) $9.50; Children 2 and under are free; Members, free.
Getting to Holiday Magic:
From downtown Chicago's Union Station you can take the Metra Rail Burlington Northern line to the Hollywood station and from there walk about two blocks northeast to the zoo. You can also drive to the zoo and park. Parking rates for cars/vans are $9 and $12 for buses. Members park for free. (Looking for something fun to do in downtown Chicago for the holidays? Check out our Christmas 2011 Holiday Events Guide for ideas.)
Dining - Holiday Magic:
The Brookfield Zoo has several dining options including the Austin Blues Bar B Que, Starfish Court with Connie's Pizza, burritos, salads, and more, and BZ Red Hots for hot dogs.
About the Brookfield Zoo:
The Brookfield Zoo opened in 1934 and includes cage-less displays and unique exhibits. Featured exhibits include the Tropic World; Wolf Woods; The Swamp; Seven Seas; Australia House; and Habitat Africa. The zoo offers memberships that include free parking at the main entrance (discounted parking at the south entrance), free admission, discounts at the zoo's restaurants, and discounted admission to seasonal attractions including the Carousel and Butterflies!. Memberships start at $56 for one-year. (Also worth visiting is the Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights and Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, which has its own holiday events this season including the Shedd Holiday Breakfasts that features a full breakfast, a private viewing of the 15-minute The Polar Express 4-D Experience followed by a drawing for special prizes and a visit with Santa. Learn more about Chicago's Top Christmas Events.
More About Holiday Magic:
Many of the zoo's indoor exhibits will be open for viewing during Holiday Magic, including the zoo's newest exhibit, the Great Bear Wilderness. In addition, the zoo's restaurants and food stands will be open with full menus and holiday snacks. There will also be a full schedule of nightly music and entertainment in the Pavilions, as well as nightly ice carving, a magic show. and the Holly Jolly Theater with local choir performances and holiday themed performances. Of course, Santa will be there every evening through December 18.
