Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Electric Safari Tickets and Event Details

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s annual Electric Safari has officially earned a nomination for Best Zoo Lights in North America in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, cmzoo.org reported. The 36th-annual holiday tradition features 28 nights of mountainside displays starting on Friday, December 4, with tickets currently available.

Can Zoo fans still vote for Electric Safari?

Voting is open through Monday, November 30, at 10 a.m. Mountain Time. Supporters can cast one ballot daily at cmzoo.org/lights. Over the past six years, USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards has consistently placed Electric Safari among the top three Best Zoo Lights in North America.

Top-ten national results will be announced the week following the close of voting. The event itself runs nightly from December 4 through January 1, 2027, staying dark only on Christmas Eve.

What displays and attractions are set for the 36th season?

Visitors walking the more than 50 acres of twinkling lights will encounter over 90 hand-made light sculptures and giant illuminated animal inflatables. A nightly holiday-safari themed drone light show adds a modern aerial display to the traditional mountainside illumination.

Santa Claus will greet families in the Safari Lodge nightly through December 23 to collect wish lists and pose for photos. For visitors seeking a higher vantage point, the Mountaineer Sky Ride operates weather-permitting, offering sweeping nighttime views of Colorado Springs for $4 for members and $5 for the general public.

How do ticket and parking rules work for members and visitors?

Admission is free for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo members, who may attend as often as they wish. However, to manage on-site parking during the popular event, advance timed tickets for parking are required for Individual Plus, Family, Grandparent, and Family Plus member guests, including children age two and under. Anytime rideshare tickets remain available.

Electric safari at cheyenne mountain zoo

General admission runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. nightly, with the event wrapping up at 8:30 p.m. Members enjoy an exclusive early entry hour from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Because on-site parking is limited, passes that include parking options will sell out ahead of time on certain evenings.

Which animal experiences and food options remain open?

Most animal habitats remain open during the evening hours. Guests can participate in paid feeding opportunities with the zoo’s giraffe herd and budgie flock, alongside scheduled keeper talks and demonstrations.

Dining options on the mountainside include the Grizzly Grill, Cozy Goat, Pizza with a View, and Longneck Café. Electric Safari is supported by partners Children’s Hospital Colorado and Toyota.