See Santa, Free Holiday Lights At Turtle Back Zoo In New Jersey

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — One of Essex County’s most-anticipated holiday displays will return for 2018 at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.

As usual, the zoo’s popular, free “Holiday Lights Spectacular” will include a collection of more than 50 light-bedazzled displays throughout the facility. Zoo staff will be taking donations of non-perishable food items, new toys and gently used coats. (Learn more about this local event here)

The display will be closed on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and Christmas (Dec. 25). The display will be open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. on the following days:

• Friday, Nov. 16 to Sunday, Nov. 18
• Friday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 25
• Friday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Dec. 2
• Every night from Friday, Dec. 7 to Monday, Dec. 31

In addition to the regular light displays, the zoo will host family-friendly “Character Weekends” at the picnic pavilion with the following themes for 2018:

• “Superheroes” – Friday, November 30 – Sunday, December 2
• “Princesses” – Friday, December 7 – Sunday, December 9
• “Home for the Holidays” – Friday, December 14 – Sunday, December 16

The zoo will also host an ice carver, who will perform at the amphitheater stage on:

• Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24
• Friday, December 21 and Saturday, December 22

In addition to the zoo’s free activities, visitors will be able to purchase professional photos during “meet and greets” with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The sessions with Mrs. Claus will take place from Friday, Nov. 16 to Sunday, Nov. 18 at the zoo’s party gazebo. The sessions with Santa Claus will take place on the following dates:

• Friday, November 23 – Sunday, November 25
• Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2
• Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9
• Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16
• Saturday, December 22 and Sunday, December 23

The zoo will hold ticketed “Storytime With Mrs. Claus” events on the following days:

• Friday, December 14: 6 and 7 pm
• Saturday, December 15: 3:30, 6, and 7 pm
• Sunday, December 16: 3:30, 6, and 7 pm
• Monday, December 17: 6 pm
• Tuesday, December 18: 6 pm
• Wednesday, December 19: 6 pm
• Thursday, December 20: 6 pm
• Friday, December 21: 6 and 7 pm
• Saturday, December 22: 3:30, 6, and 7 pm
• Sunday, December 23: 3:30, 6, and 7 pm

Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Patch file photos