Even though it rarely snows in Texas and snow-dusted winter wonderlands are foreign concepts to most Texans, we still love to celebrate the holiday season in style. Because of this, many of our guests look forward to attending our zoo’s annual Christmas with the Critters event! No matter what you celebrate, our event is sure to be the highlight of the winter parties you attend this season. Swing by Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo during the holiday season to find out why our guests consider AWSFZ the best zoo Texas has to offer! In an effort to make your holiday event planning more manageable, we will also be discussing our personal favorite ways to ring in the holidays. Here is a list of the 6 fun-filled events we will be focusing on throughout this blog:

• Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo’s Christmas with the Critters
• Houston Zoo’s Sensory Friendly Night
• Houston Zoo’s TXU Energy Presents Zoo Lights
• The Greater New Braunfels Arts Council’s Caroling in the Park
• The American Dance Co. Presents: The Nutcracker
• San Antonio Zoo’s Zoo Lights

Reserve your tickets now to celebrate the holidays with our animal-loving staff!

Houston Zoo Festive Events That Are Catered To Guests’ Optimal Enjoyment  

The holidays are often characterized by jolly dispositions and festive lights and music, but many individuals overlook the fact that these abounding merriments can be quite overwhelming for people with sensory sensitivities. Because of this, many of these individuals are unable to relish in these fun-filled festivities in the same way that people without these sensitivities can. However, the Houston Zoo has created an event that takes these sensitivities into consideration while ensuring that these guests can indulge in festive activities in a more comfortable setting! This sensitivity-minded Zoo Lights event, or Sensory Friendly Night, is specifically designed for guests with sensory sensitivities. Since this event is solely intended to be attended by individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families, guests can expect smaller, less overwhelming crowds. The event will also boast quieter music, limited flashing lights, and designated quiet areas where guests can temporarily escape from all the commotion. Houston Zoo’s Sensory Friendly Night will be held on December 5, so make sure to get tickets before they sell out!

The Houston Zoo will also be holding their annual Zoo Lights event that is more suited for guests who do not have sensory sensitivities. At this event, guests will be transported to a marvelous winter wonderland which boasts a 30-foot Christmas tree, the opportunity to visit Santa’s Workshop and meet jolly old Saint Nicholas yourself, and a wintery photo-op area to commemorate the occasion! This holiday party is also perfect for the whole family, from s’more making stations where families could make new, cherished memories to an illuminated, interactive dance floor where kiddos can dance to their hearts’ content! Since this event will be held from late November through early January, Texas families should have ample time to swing by this festive party at their convenience. Come see why this event is widely considered one of the best zoo Texas holiday celebrations around!

Jolly New Braunfels Events And San Antonio Zoo Holiday Celebrations For The Whole Family!

While there are plenty of fun-filled San Antonio zoo holiday events out there, our definite favorite is Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo’s own Christmas with the Critters event from December 17th to January 6th! Each year, our staff goes above and beyond in making sure that the event showcases our amazing animal residents as a festive animal party for the whole family. From our jolly animal shows to our festive enrichment opportunities for our guests and animals alike, our holiday event will leave you dreaming of a white lion Christmas! Events such as this one— combined with our zoo’s diverse snake collection and passionate, animal-loving staff— have inspired our guests to sincerely consider AWSFZ as the best zoo in central Texas. And we’re only just getting started!

We have already discussed some of the best zoo Texas festive events out there, from Houston Zoo’s Houston Zoo Lights event to AWSFZ’s own Christmas with the Critters event. While it is important to keep your little ones on their toes by discovering new, unique holiday events each year, it is just as crucial to honor traditional local celebrations! Without further ado, we will now be sharing some of our favorite ways to ring in the holiday season in New Braunfels. One festive event that New Braunfels families won’t want to miss out on is the Greater New Braunfels Arts Council’s 42nd annual Caroling in the Park event! The event will be held on December 8 in Landa Park, and will boast plenty of merriment. From holiday arts & crafts to a festive caroling sing-along, this event is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Another jolly event that New Braunfels families can look forward to is the American Dance Co.’s production of The Nutcracker! The show will be held at the Brauntex Theatre from Friday, December 16 to Sunday, December 18. Enjoy an evening at the theatre and come away with an even deeper appreciation of the fine arts!

Festive Holiday Parties And Ways San Antonio Residents Can Give Back This Holiday Season 

Even though we have already discussed the Houston Zoo Lights event, this jolly event is less than ideal for families who reside in central Texas. Because of this, we would like to suggest a similarly festive event complete with festive lights and plenty of jolly snacks and refreshments: San Antonio Zoo Lights! As its name suggests, the event will be held at the San Antonio Zoo, and is sure to be a great way to ring in the holiday season with your loved ones. San Antonio Zoo Lights will offer ample caroling opportunities and families will have the opportunity to casually stroll through dazzling wildlife trails. Discover first-hand why this event is widely considered one of the best zoo Texas holiday parties out there!

The holiday season can be the perfect time to realize how fortunate you are for the things you take for granted on a daily basis. Such reflections inspire countless individuals to provide much-needed support to the less fortunate by volunteering with local organizations. In recognizing this, here are a few great opportunities for San Antonio residents to give back to their community during this season of giving. Local organizations like the San Antonio Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity San Antonio are some of our personal favorites, and we highly encourage you to consider volunteering in these great spaces this holiday season. No contribution is too small, and every volunteer is sure to make a huge difference in their community!

Our Staff Can’t Wait To Celebrate Texas At Christmas Time With You and Your Loved Ones!

Now that we have shared plenty of ways that you and your family can commemorate this holiday season, we want to remind you of our uniquely festive Christmas with the Critters event! Since this is an outdoor event, guests can appreciate the natural beauty of Texas at Christmas time alongside our amazing animals and knowledgeable staff. Whether you want to join us for our festive animal shows or indulge in delicious treats like hot chocolate and s’mores, this event is sure to get you and your family in jolly spirits!

Make sure to RSVP to our festive Christmas with the Critters event, which will be held from December 17th to January 6th!