Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is now a Winter Wonderland, decorated to enchant Zoo guests from November 28, 2020 through January 6, 2021. The intent behind this first-time event is to offer pandemic-wary guests an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature in a safe, outdoor setting. The Winter Wonderland Walk includes ten festive vignettes, from Fairy House Lane and a very special train display, Imagination Station, to custom artist and children-designed snowmen, a Dreidel Drive, and Kris Kringle Corner.
Santa Claus will visit Kris Kringle Corner on Sundays from 1:00-4:00 p.m., appearing in a socially-distanced sleigh where children can wave and say hello. A North Pole Postbox will be there for letters to Santa. Dates for Santa appearances are Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 and 20.
The Winter Wonderland Walk will be open seven days a week from 9-4, beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Walk is included in the price of admission. Members enter for free. To help our friends in need, we are offering a $1 voucher to our Cafe or Gift Shop if a guest brings in a non-perishable food item for our local food pantry. Limit 2 vouchers per family per visit.
Zoo admission is $15 for adults, and $10 for children 3-11 and seniors over 62. Children under three are free.
The ten seasonal vignettes to be explored are:
- Polar Palace: Glittering icicles are the backdrop for holiday photos
- Fairy House Lane and Imagination Station: A fairy village and miniature train set
- Poinsettia Pass: 500 poinsettias nestle among tropical greenery
- Winter Village Square: Old fashioned painted Christmas town, 23 feet long
- Snowman Park: Twelve children’s designs and four adult artist faux snowmen
- Nutcracker Place: Two 12-foot nutcrackers stand guard in front of a festive holiday backdrop
- Dreidel Drive: A menorah represents the candelabra found in Jewish homes
- Gingerbread Boulevard: Eight colorful gingerbread houses encircle the fountain
- Kris Kringle Corner: Bring your letter to Santa and mail it in our North Pole Postbox
- Evergreen Lane: The North Pole’s tree farm, gaily decorated with 70 red bows
The Zoo is committed to maintaining a safe space for families, so Covid-19 rules remain in effect. Masks are to be worn by all guests, except for those ages two and under. Social distancing must be observed, with six-foot distancing between family groups. Tickets can be purchased online at beardsleyzoo.org.
The Zoo thanks the following sponsors: Title Sponsor-The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation; Winter Sponsors-The Electricians at IBEW Local Union 488; Fairfield County's Community Foundation; Global Scenic Services; Bob and Helen Natt; Snow Day Sponsors- SCG/UI Part of the AVANGRID Family; ;Berkowitz, Trager & Trager; Thomas D. Lenci Jr., CLU, ChFC; Liberty Bank; Nuzzo Electrical Contractors, Inc.; People’s United Bank. Snowman Sponsors: Kleban Properties; R.D. Scinto Corporation; Icicle Sponsors: Chip Dumais; Gerry and Gail Craig; Peter and Lynne Penczer; The Barnum Festival
The Zoo reopened on June 1. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. Face masks are required for everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them.
About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 98th year, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tiger and leopards, maned wolves, and Mexican grey wolves and red wolves. Other highlights include our new Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization approaching its 100th year at a time when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever.
The Zoo reopened on June 1. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. Face masks are required for everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them.
