It’s Christmas at the Orange County Zoo. Come out and celebrate with the critters big and small and enjoy the holiday season. This fun holiday event is perfect for families and children will love watching the animals receive gifts packed with treats to enjoy. The OC Zoo is located in Irvine Regional Park. Come to enjoy the festivities at the zoo, and stay for the day to enjoy the other amenities that the park has to offer.
Find all winter holiday events in the area.
Event Activities
All Christmas at the OC Zoo activities are free with paid admission.
Story Time with Santa: Come enjoy story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Families will enjoy listening to special holiday stories and get the chance to visit with their favorite couple from the North Pole.
Holiday Crafts: There will be festive holiday crafts available at tables for kids to complete during their visit and take home to add to their holiday decorations.
Game Time: The OC Zoo will have holiday games to enjoy. Fun for the kids and great ideas for games to play at any holiday party.
Gifts for the Critters: The animals at the OC Zoo will receive Christmas Gifts from the zookeepers. Most of them will get Christmas Trees with treats hidden inside. Watch as the animals search for their surprises that are tucked into the trees.
Christmas At The OC Zoo Details
Orange County Zoo
1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869
Saturday, December 9, 2023
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Zoo Admission $2 per person (2 and under are free)
Park Admission $5 per vehicle
Tips
Pay a visit to Elinor, a California Black Bear. Elinor, like all the animals at the OC Zoo was rescued. She was found alone in Northern California and has disabilities that zookeepers believe she received from being hit by a car. She would not have survived alone in the wild, and now she has a wonderful new home at the OC Zoo, and a friend, Samson the Black Bear – a toothless bear who was found lounging in a family hot tub.
Take quarters to get food to feed the sheep at the petting zoo, then take a few minutes to brush the goats. They love making new friends.
More To Enjoy At Irvine Regional Park
After your visit to the OC Zoo, explore the rest of the park with a walk around the lake and a stop at one of the playgrounds.
Stop at the train depot to enjoy the Irvine Park Christmas Train activities. You’ll need to pre-order tickets online if you wish to ride the train, but you can purchase activity tickets at the depot to enjoy other holiday activities like cookie decorating, carnival games, the moon bounce, ice fishing, and more. Enjoy the free coloring corner and capture memories at the holiday themed photo stands around Santa’s Village.
Pony rides are available near the Train Depot from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Pony rides are $5 per child.
More Holiday Events: