Popular Holiday Lights Show Returning To Turtle Back Zoo For 2022

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Every winter, tens of thousands of people flock to the Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County for a free, family friendly event. The main attraction? More than a million glowing holiday lights.

On Wednesday, county officials announced that the popular “Holiday Lights Spectacular” will return to the zoo for 2022. It will kick off Friday, Nov. 18 and run until Saturday, Dec. 31 (see the schedule below).

Here’s what to expect, according to a statement from the office of Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr.:

“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. Other activities include pictures with Santa Claus and story time with Mrs. Claus. Admission is free. The zoo is collecting non-perishable food items; new, unwrapped toys; and new or gently used winter coats. Items will be donated to several organizations that provide assistance to the needy. Last year, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, about 18 tons of non-perishable food, toys and winter coats were collected for the less fortunate.”

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.

This year’s holiday lights spectacular will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on the following dates at the zoo, which is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange:

• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 18, 19, 20
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 25, 26, 27
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 2, 3, 4
• Daily from Friday, December 9 to Saturday, December 31

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

“We are offering free admission to make this exciting attraction available to everyone,” DiVincenzo said. “We also are encouraging our visitors to bring non-perishable food items, new unwrapped toys, and new and gently used winter coats to help our families in need.”

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.

The zoo is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.essexcountynj.org/turtlebackzoo or call 973-731-5800.

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