Auckland City Council

Media release

19 November 2009

Christmas comes alive at Auckland Zoo

Bring the whole family to Auckland Zoo’s popular annual Christmas at the Zoo event on Saturday 5 December for a magical, festive, fun-filled celebration.

There will be Christmas presents from Santa for all the children from Hasbro and the animals won’t miss out, with the zoo offering Christmas themed enrichment presents for them too.  What will the kaka make of their gift? Will the otters enjoy their present? Will the tiger cubs play with their stocking stuffer?

Hosted by Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, this festive celebration will feature non-stop entertainment at the band rotunda, including the crowd favourite Club Nerd band, Rudolph’s Christmas Showand performance by Alvin and the Chipmunks.  The fun-filled evening also includes free face painting, bouncy castle, interactive games, a Nerf stand with giveaways and the chance to try out the Nerf Blasters, and roving characters including Christmas fairies.  Wild Zone gift shop will also be open for Christmas shopping, zoo-style.

Just before 6pm, Santa will make his grand entrance in the zoo Santa Parade, which includes costume characters, zookeepers and a very special entrance vehicle for Santa! Santa will then take his place in his grotto to meet children, hear what they would like for Christmas, give them a present, and have his photo taken with them. 

In keeping with the festive spirit, the zoo is encouraging event goers to give back by purchasing a Christmas decoration and placing it on the conservation tree.  All proceeds from the decorations will support the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund, which raises funds to support the conservation of endangered animals in the wild.

Christmas at the Zoo:

Saturday 5 December, 5.30pm – 8.30pm
rain date Sunday 6 December
tickets available from Auckland Zoo – phone (09) 360 3805 or Ticketmaster– www.ticketmaster.co.nzor phone (09) 970 9700
normal Zoo admission prices apply

Helping to make this event possible is Habsro, through their products Littlest Pet Shop, Nerf and Marvel, and The Radio Network.

ENDS

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