Free Holiday Lights At Turtle Back Zoo Will Return For 2023

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A popular, free holiday display featuring a million lights, animal exhibits and costumed characters is returning to the Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County for 2023.

The annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular will be taking place this year at the zoo, which is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. The display will open to the public on Friday, Nov. 17 and will close on Sunday, Dec. 31 (see the schedule below).

Here’s what to expect this year, organizers said:

“About 50 animal and holiday-themed figures will light up the winter night in Turtle Back Zoo and the surrounding Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. Over one million lights will illuminate figures of bears, tigers and elephants, along with holiday lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. Several animal exhibits will be open, including the Sea Lion Sound, Essex Farm, Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve, Amazing Asia and the Reptile Building. Myrtle the Turtle, the mascot of Turtle Back Zoo, and several of his winter friends will be on hand to greet visitors at the zoo.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said the plan is to turn the zoo into a “winter wonderland.” Visitors will be able to stroll landscaped paths in the zoo, which will be illuminated with images of toy soldiers, penguins and other cheerful holiday décor.

The light display will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. on the following days:

• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 17, 18, 19
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 24, 25, 26
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 1, 2, 3
• Daily from Friday, December 8 to Sunday, December 31

The Holiday Lights Spectacular will be closed on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.

Admission is free. However, the zoo will be collecting non-perishable food items, new/unwrapped toys, and new or gently used winter coats. The items will be donated to several organizations that provide assistance to local families.

Last year, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, about 18 tons of non-perishable food, toys and winter coats were collected for in-need Essex County residents.

Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, call Essex County Turtle Back Zoo at 973-731-5800 or visit www.essexcountynj.org.

“We invite the public to make this Essex County holiday tradition your family tradition,” DiVincenzo said.

The Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular is sponsored by PSE&G, Covanta Energy, the Zoological Society of New Jersey and the Essex County Parks Foundation.

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