Have dinner with the big guy himself and take in the views of OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS during Dinner with Santa, an all-new, family-friendly event series.

 

              The Oklahoma City Zoo is inviting guests of all ages to experience the ultimate dinner feast with the big guy himself – Santa Claus. This brand-new event series offers guests a chance to create a new holiday tradition that promises festive fun and togetherness amidst the Zoo’s wildly unique seasonal setting, OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS. Dinner with Santa hosted in the Zoo’s Canopy Restaurant includes a delicious holiday buffet, kids’ activities like ornament making and, of course, a meet and greet with Santa. 

The evening concludes with a picture-perfect night experiencing the beauty and wonderment of OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS. Presented by OG&E, OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS is a holiday celebration featuring over 60, all-new larger-than-life lantern displays showcasing wildlife and seasonal themes as well as interactive displays and a custom musical light performance in the entry plaza designed by Nextech with Miranda Family Lights of Edmond. Dinner attendees will exit the Canopy Restaurant to get their vehicles for the drive-thru experience. Once the driving tour is complete, they will park and re-enter the Zoo for the walking adventure! Limit one SAFARI LIGHTS drive-thru experience per family reservation, not per ticket.

These festive dinners feature a savory buffet selection including sliced turkey breast, harvest salad, honey baked ham, holiday stuffing, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce and fresh baked rolls and a scrumptious dessert to round out your holiday feast. Dinner with Santa occurs Fridays and Saturdays December 2 through 17. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m. and concludes at 6:30 p.m. During dinner, Santa Claus will make an appearance to meet and greet little ones and hear what is on everyone’s wish lists. Participants will also have an opportunity to take their holiday photos with Santa in front of a festive backdrop for an additional fee.

Date options for Dinner with Santa are as follows:

    • Friday, December 2, 2022
    • Saturday, December 3, 2022
    • Friday, December 9, 2022
    • Saturday, December 10, 2022
    • Friday, December 16, 2022
    • Saturday, December 17, 2022

General admission for Dinner with Santa events is $55 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $50 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children two years or younger are free. ZOOfriends members will receive a discount on all event tickets. Each group reservation will receive access to OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS drive-thru for one vehicle and walk-thru admission per individual. Online reservations are required for participation in Dinner with Santa and can be made at www.okczoo.org. Additional OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS tickets can be purchased in conjunction with making event reservations. No walk-up tickets will be sold. Event tickets are non-refundable.

OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS begins Saturday, November 12, and runs nightly through New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, 2023 with drive-thru and walk-thru experiences from 5:30 to 11 p.m. with the last check-in at 10 p.m. OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS will be open on holiday nights including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Online reservations are required for OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS and can be made at www.okczoo.org/safari-lights. Drive-up purchases will not be accepted. Tickets are limited to ensure optimal guest experience. Admission for the drive-thru experience is $65/vehicle and includes up to 4 walk-thru admission tickets. Admission for the walk-thru only is $15/guest ages 3 and older. Supporting OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS sponsors include Devon and MidFirst Bank.

OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS is produced by Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden and Tianyu Culture.

Book your reservations now for Dinner with Santa during OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS! The Oklahoma City Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. The Zoo will be closed to the public during the daytime on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Tuesdays and Wednesdays between December 6 and February 8, 2023. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular daytime admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay connected with the Zoo  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming a ZOOfriends member. Starting at $45, memberships can be purchased at ZOOfriends.org and provide access to the OKC Zoo for an entire year plus, additional benefits and discounts. To learn more about Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.