Jungle Bells is the San Diego Zoo’s holiday season celebration in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. For 2026 it runs from December 18, 2026 through January 3, 2027, skipping December 24, with the zoo open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and three Holiday Light Treks, Holiday Light Discovery, Holiday Light Celebration and Holiday Light Symphony, lit from about 5 to 8 p.m. The zoo’s own 2026 event page frames this as a returning annual celebration rather than a new format; the official announcement highlights returning entertainment and illuminated trails rather than any specific new display. Santa’s Factory, a separate seasonal activity with its own holiday scheduling, opens earlier on November 28.
Jungle Bells suits families and anyone who already plans to visit the zoo during the holidays, since the lights, music and Santa visits are bundled into a normal day ticket rather than sold as a standalone after-hours event. A visit covering the daytime zoo plus the evening lights takes most of a day, and entry is not timed. No separate Jungle Bells ticket is required; regular admission or a membership gets you in, though value-day pricing and some membership blackout dates apply on peak nights.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: San Diego Zoo
- City: San Diego
- State: California
- Dates: December 18, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed December 24)
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Holiday Light Treks lit 5 to 8 p.m.
- Tickets: Included with admission: $78 adult / $68 child (3-11) any day, $73 / $63 on value days; included with membership
- Timed entry: Not stated
- New for 2026: Not announced; the zoo’s 2026 page describes Jungle Bells as a returning celebration, and the three Holiday Light Treks are a carryover feature first introduced in 2024, not new this year
What’s new for 2026
The San Diego Zoo has not announced any new displays, zones or attractions for Jungle Bells 2026. The zoo’s own 2026 event page describes it as a ‘jolly return’ of the annual celebration rather than promoting something new. The three Holiday Light Treks, Holiday Light Discovery, Holiday Light Celebration and Holiday Light Symphony, are returning favorites that the zoo first introduced for the 2024 season, not a 2026 addition. Santa’s Factory, where guests can meet Santa, again runs on its own published schedule starting November 28, with shorter afternoon hours on several dates before expanding to match the zoo’s evening Jungle Bells hours later in December.
The lights and displays
The three Holiday Light Treks run continuously from 5 to 8 p.m. on Jungle Bells nights, giving visitors self-guided routes through lit pathways and animal habitat areas rather than a single big display to queue for: Holiday Light Discovery winds through areas such as the Painted Jungle and Rainbow Forest, Holiday Light Celebration offers an interactive lighted pathway with seasonal decorations, and Holiday Light Symphony lets guests control colorful lights paired with music. Live entertainment is part of the draw too, with brass musicians, roaming performers, acrobatic displays and character meet-and-greets scheduled through the evening. Santa’s Factory adds a dedicated spot for photos and visits with Santa on its own separate schedule, with hours that vary by date in November and December.
Tickets, prices and member nights
Jungle Bells has no separate admission fee: any valid San Diego Zoo ticket or membership gets you into the lights and entertainment, with the one exception that regular admission benefits (and the Jungle Bells activities) are excluded on December 24. Standard 2026 single-day tickets run $78 for adults (12+) and $68 for children (3-11) on any day, or a discounted $73 / $63 on select value days booked in advance online; annual memberships start at $99 per person and include year-round admission. Some membership tiers have blockout dates during peak holiday periods, so double-check your membership level against the calendar before counting on entry on a specific night. Parking costs $16 per vehicle for non-members; members park free but must register a vehicle through the zoo’s online member parking portal.
Food, drinks and extras
The zoo’s regular food vendors stay open through Jungle Bells evening hours, and past seasons have featured seasonal food and drink specials alongside the usual zoo dining options; check the event calendar closer to your visit date for the specific seasonal menu in 2026. Live music, including brass performances of seasonal songs, and visits with Santa at Santa’s Factory are included in admission rather than sold as extra add-ons.
Tips for your visit
Arrive in the afternoon to see animals active in daylight, then stay for the Holiday Light Treks once they switch on around 5 p.m.; plan for at least a full afternoon and evening to cover both. Southern California evenings cool down quickly in December, so bring a light jacket even though San Diego rarely gets cold enough to require heavy winter gear. Strollers and the zoo’s usual accessibility accommodations are available as on any regular day, since Jungle Bells uses the park’s existing paths rather than a separate ticketed route. Because there’s no separate timed ticket, the exact crowd level depends on the night. Weekends and the week between Christmas and New Year’s tend to draw more visitors, so arrive early or check the event calendar for less busy dates if you want to avoid lines at Santa’s Factory.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
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Jungle Bells 2026 at San Diego Zoo FAQs
When is Jungle Bells 2026?
Jungle Bells runs from December 18, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with the exception of December 24. Santa’s Factory, a related seasonal activity, opens earlier on November 28 on its own schedule.
How much are Jungle Bells tickets in 2026?
There is no separate Jungle Bells ticket. Regular San Diego Zoo admission covers it: $78 for adults and $68 for children (3-11) on any day, or $73 / $63 on select value days, with memberships starting at $99 per person also included.
Do you need to buy Jungle Bells tickets in advance?
You don’t need a separate event ticket, just regular admission or a membership, and entry is not timed. Booking a value-day ticket online in advance can save a few dollars, and some membership levels have blockout dates during the event, so it’s worth checking the zoo’s calendar before you go.
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Photo: Andrewjames954 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.