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Wild Holidays 2023

Wild Holidays

See the Safari Park in a whole new light! Embark on a joyous holiday expedition, and travel through places that glow and twinkle with seasonal cheer. Holiday tunes set the festive mood, and tasty seasonal treats will be available to tempt you throughout your journey.

Wild Holidays is scheduled on the following dates: Member Preview November 24; November 25–26; December 2–3, 9-10, 16–23, and 26–31. On Wild Holidays dates, the Safari Park is open until 8 p.m. *On December 24 and 25, there will be no Wild Holidays events or entertainment, and the Safari Park will close at 5 p.m. Guests can still visit Santa at Safari Basecamp on these dates before he dashes away to finish his route.

Wild Holidays activities and entertainment are included with admission tickets or membership.

Wild Holidays Map

View the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Wild Holidays map on your browser, and plan your visit. DOWNLOAD THE PDF HERE ▸

SAFARI BASE CAMP

Safari Park Radio 197.2 FM.

Safari Park Radio 197.2

  • 4 to 8 p.m. (Continuous)
  • Barking Deer

The Safari Park’s very own “radio station” returns with a mix of contemporary and tradition sounds of the season. 

light up the holidays display.

Light Up the Holidays

  • Safari Base Camp

The area comes to life when the Village lights up in a choreographed display to a holiday soundtrack.

  • Carol of the Bells Medley –  5, 6, 7, and 8 p.m.
  • Jingle Bells and More Medley –  5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m.

tree

Wild Holidays Celebration Tree

  • 4 to 8 p.m. (continuous)

Starting November 25, experience the fun of the giant Safari Park-themed tree, with its unique wildlife decorations and festive holiday lighting.

Santa with a child whispering in his ear

Santa at Safari Base Camp

  • November 24–26 and December 2–3, 9–10, 16–17, and 18–23: Noon–8 p.m.; December 24: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; December 25: Noon–5 p.m.

Have your photo taken and visit with the jolly old elf himself, before he travels back to the North Pole.

Santa will be away at the following times:

  • 2–2:15 p.m.: Zoom call with elves
  • 4:15-4:45 p.m.: Toy inventory
  • 6:30–6:45 p.m.: Santa will be making his list and checking it twice.

On Dec. 24th:

  • 11:45-12 p.m.: Zoom call with elves
  • 2-2:30 p.m.: Toy inventory
  • 3:45-4 p.m.: Santa will be checking his list and checking it twice

On Dec. 25th:

  • 2-2:15 p.m.: Zoom call with elves
  • 3:30-4 p.m.: Preparing to return to the North Pole

Bridge with archway of lights.

Bridge of Lights

  • 5 to 8 p.m. (Continuous)
  • Safari Walk Bridge

Let your holiday expedition take you through this musical and magical tunnel of light. 

NAIROBI VILLAGE

Safari Parker

'Twas the Night before Wild Holidays

  • 4, 5, 6, and 7 p.m. (20 minutes)
  • Village Playground

Join Safari Parker—adventurer extraordinaire—for interactive fun and surprises as he reads his original holiday story, ’Twas the Night before Wild Holidays , ending in a wintery finale.

troubadour

Holiday Troubadour

  • 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. (30 minutes)

Interact and sing along with our talented acoustic holiday musician. 

violins

Turtle Doves

  • 4:15, 5:15, 6:15, and 7:15 p.m. (40 minutes)
  • Flightline Plaza

The violin duo performs all of your holiday favorites in a classical, symphonic style.

Stilt walkers perform.

Firefly Stilt Walkers

  • Flightline Plaza and Enchanted Lagoon

As you walk around the lagoon, you’ll encounter these beautifully lighted performers venturing through the night all aglow.  

Lantern walkway

Nairobi Lantern Walk

  • Nairobi Walk

Journey down the walk, and experience the lanterns as their lights dance to a musical soundtrack.  

lights on a lagoon

Enchanted Lagoon

  • 5 to 8 p.m. (continuous)
  • Mombasa Lagoon

Mombasa Lagoon becomes even more enchanted when it comes to life with sparkling, flickering, and floating holiday lights, adding seasonal ambience to the beauty of the lighted waterfall.

TIGER TRAIL and BEYOND

Wild holidays lighted path

The Spirit of the Season

  • Tiger Trail–Sambutan Longhouse, Walkabout Australia–Zuest Woolshed, World Gardens, and Condor Ridge

Experience the magic of the season at multiple locations decked out with holiday décor and specially designed lighted trees—providing the perfect setting for a family photo!  

Guitar and percussion musical duo.

Sweater Weather

  • 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. (30 minutes)
  • Strolling through Walkabout Australia and World Gardens

Enjoy an acoustic performance by this traveling guitar and percussion duo, as they put their own spin on holiday favorites.

lighted walkway

Forest of Color

See the forest aglow with beautiful holiday light, as Condor valley glistens with seasonal magic.

WORLD GARDENS

Cactus lit up.

Baja Gardens

  • World Gardens

Explore the amazing Baja Gardens, festively illuminated and glowing with seasonal cheer.  

ShopZoo Safari Summer on the Savanna

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SDZWA adventures botswana elephant

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Safari Park Wild Holidays Cover Photo

Safari Park Wild Holidays Guide and Review 2024

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Where is the Safari Park Wild Holidays

Wild Holidays is hosted at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, San Diego North County, about 35 miles away from the San Diego Zoo (which is located near Downtown San Diego).

It’s not that far of a drive from downtown San Diego, but if there’s traffic it can take around 45 minutes. I recommend following our carsick hacks if you or your little ones get motion sickness on road trips.

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

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When is the Safari Park Wild Holidays

Safari Park Wild Holidays is on select nights during the holiday season .

Stay Tuned for Safari Park Wild Holiday Dates for 2024.

Safari Park Wild Holiday Dates for 2022: November 25–27; December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17–23, and 26–January 1

Wild Holidays in 2021 was on select nights from 11/26/21-1/2/22, 4 pm-8 pm .

Check back for Wild Holiday times for 2024 . Once the times are released by the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, I will add them here.

Firefly Stilt Walkers at Safari Park Wild Holidays

What is included in the Safari Park Wild Holidays

The Wild Holidays event at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is included in the admission to the park .

There are various holiday entertainments, lights, music , and decorations spread throughout the park during the holiday season.

If you’re looking for an adventure to get your whole family into the holiday spirit, the Wild Holidays event at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park does not disappoint.

Be sure to print out a Travel Journal for your kids so they can record the adventure.

Safari Parker reading a story at Safari Park Wild Holidays with fake snow falling down.

Wild Holidays Entertainment 

  • Safari Parker (kid’s story time)
  • Holiday Troubadour (guitar)
  • Firefly Stilt Walkers
  • Turtle Doves (violins)
  • Sweater Weather (guitar & percussion)
  • Photos with Santa (Note: may not be available after 12/25)

If you do anything during Wild Holidays, see Safari Parker .

There was surprise snow at the end of Safari Parker’s “‘Twas the Night Before Wild Holidays,” a fun interactive story for the kids.

Our girls were mesmerized and we had bubbles all over our hair and Christmas sweaters!

safari park christmas eve

The Firefly Stilt Walkers were super fun to see. We were talking with one Firefly, and he said his sister’s name was Evangeline (a subtle nod to the Princess and the Frog).

Our toddler preferred them from a distance, but still enjoyed their lights and wings. Try and get pictures with them before it gets too dark, but make sure to swing back around and see them fully lit up at night.

As for photos with Santa , there was no line when we went. This could change depending on the day and visitor count, but it seemed to be the pattern for Wild Holidays in 2021.

Santa was so helpful with getting the girls to smile for the photos and gave them each a candy cane after.

There was no cost to meet Santa during Wild Holidays, but pictures were available for purchase.

We got the package that included the print & digital downloads so we could have all of the photos and different border options.

Safari Park Wild Holidays Bridge of Lights

Wild Holidays Music to Lights Shows

  • Nairobi Lantern Walk
  • Light up the Holidays
  • Bridge of Lights

If you’re someone who loves Christmas lights , the Safari Park Wild Holidays music and light shows are a must.

The Bridge of Lights was absolutely stunning! The whole bridge to the tigers was lit up and synced to a variety of Christmas songs.

This is a long bridge too, so it’s not like a little tunnel that you quickly exit out of. The Safari Park light tunnel spans the entire length of the bridge leading up to the Tiger Trail and Walkabout Australia exhibits.

Plus, you need to go through it again to get back to the park entrance, so it’s set up very well to thoroughly enjoy the attraction.

2 little girls in front of trees decorated with Christmas lights.

The Safari Park Nairobi Lantern Walk was very pretty.

I was expecting it to just be some lights and background music, but the music was queued up to the flickering of the lanterns for a very holiday-filled ambiance.

Another light display I wasn’t sure about was Light up the Holidays , but it was super fun & got us all dancing! 

You just never know if something like this will be just music or a one-song wonder. Different holiday music played from Safari Park Radio 197.2 while the lights danced around. The result was a combination of different colors, different patterns, and multiple songs. It was so awesome and queued up perfectly to the beat.

Wild Holidays light up sign at Safari Park

Wild Holidays Lights & Decor

  • The Spirit of the Season
  • Journey of Light
  • Baja Gardens

Beautiful decorations and great photo ops were everywhere in the Safari Park Wild Holiday areas.

There’s a large glowing “Wild Holidays” sign on the way to the Bridge of Lights. Again, I recommend taking your photo in the daylight but then swinging back around at night to see it all lit up.

If you head over to the elevator going down to the Lion Camp and African Loop enclosures, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful Christmas Tree and a stunning view of the Savannah.

Other glowing lights and decorations are scattered throughout the park, and the Baja Gardens receive their own special holiday lighting treatment.

Little girl in Christmas sweater with Kangaroo behind her at Safari Park Wild Holidays

Other Safari Park Wild Holidays Tips & Info

  • Get there Earlier to see Animals During the Day
  • Take Pictures before Dark
  • Check the Schedule for Entertainment Times

The later Safari Park Wild Holiday hours are more for just the Christmas event areas, so get there early if you want to see more animals . 

We easily saw the tigers, kangaroos, and animals along the Nairobi Walk.

However, the entire area down by the elephants and Africa loop was closed off when it got dark.

Take pictures earlier then enjoy the scenery & lights at night .

I mentioned this earlier, but I can’t stress it enough. The lights are absolutely amazing, but if you want clear pictures and don’t have the best night photography skills (or kids who stay still during longer exposure times), then take the photos before dark and take the rest of the evening to just enjoy the holiday lights.

If you really want the lights to be on for your photos, you can get some decent pictures of the lights at dusk.

Many of the entertainment events are scheduled frequently throughout the night . I would pick which ones are a must-do and plan to be in that area around your preferred time (especially if you have a toddler who might start falling asleep).

Check-in with Santa Clause since he does have a break scheduled.

The Safari Park employees were very helpful in providing us with the info we needed. We made it to Safari Parker’s first performance and back to Santa before our toddler decided to take a nap .

Photo of family of 4 with Santa at Safari Park.

Safari Park Wild Holidays Summary

Overall, the Wild Holidays experience at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a fun way to get into the spirit of the holiday season.

If you’re looking for Halloween fun, definitely check out both the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park for more holiday-themed events. Sea World San Diego also has a great Spooktacular for September and October.

If you’re looking for additional experiences, then check out the Roar and Snore or read our review on SeaWorld San Diego’s Beluga Whale Encounter .

Does San Diego Safari Park have Christmas lights

Yes, and the Safari Park Wild Holidays is an amazing way to get into the holiday spirit. 

Entertainment, lights, music, and decorations are all included in the cost of admission. Prints or digital copies of photos with Santa are extra, but meeting Santa does not cost extra.

Is San Diego Safari Park open on Christmas?

Yes, the San Diego Safari Park is open every day of the year. Just be sure to check their website or app for updated park hours, as closing time varies on weekends, weekdays, and holidays. 

Be sure to catch the entertainment, lights, and music of Safari Park Wild Holidays included with admission.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park: What to Read Next…

Ever wonder what it would be like to wake up and hear lions roaring? Now you can with this unique Roar and Snore sleepover at the San Diego Safari Park. Click to read our full review on the San Diego Safari Park Roar and Snore .

Safari Park Roar & Snore

Travel Blogger

Family Travel Folio was created in 2019 by Katie to help and inspire parents to travel with their kids from Camping to Disneyland and everything in between.

Katie is a Disney obsessed bookworm who loves to explore with her husband and their 2 girls. You can find her learning fun facts about animals or eating sour candy while planning another fun adventure.

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Eat, Drink, and Be Wildly Merry This Holiday Season

See—and taste—the spirit of the season at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

meerkat in a wreath of leaves

It’s beginning to look—and taste—a lot like the holidays at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. From spectacular lighting displays to jolly entertainment, the Zoo and the Safari Park are decked out in their festive seasonal finery and are ready to spread the spirit of the season—and the joy of celebrating wildlife conservation. 

AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO

Jungle Bells , proudly supported by California Coast Credit Union, takes place on select days in December and January 1, 2024. The merriment begins just inside the Zoo entrance, where  Jingle Brass  sets the holiday mood with seasonal tunes on the Front Street Stage. The interactive fun of  Reindeer Games  also takes place at Front Street Stage for holiday activities and dances.

safari park christmas eve

Since all that fun works up an appetite, it’s a good thing the nearby Sandwich Company will feature  Chicken Pot Pie Soup  and Safari Kitchen is cooking up  Comet’s Chicken Sandwich  to help quiet those rumbly tummies. Front Street’s Kettle Corn offers the sweet-and-savory  Rudolph’s Red-Hot Popcorn ; and Busy Bee Cafe will certainly be busy, serving tempting  Santa Sweet Heat Wings  and cocktails like the  North Pole Breeze .

safari park christmas eve

With its whipped cream vodka and blue curaçao mixed with pineapple juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup, the North Pole Breeze is holiday spirit in a glass. Since you’re this close to Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, take the time to revel in gold, copper, turquoise, and green lighting throughout, oversized ornaments hanging in the trees, holiday wreaths at the area’s entrance, and the appearance of a giant snowflake projected on the water globe. Watch for the prince of winter—our  Jack Frost Juggler —as he shows off amazing skills juggling snowballs and icicles, bringing humor, fun, and a little magical winter chill.

More seasonal merriment awaits near Urban Jungle and Australian Outback, where light displays and festive décor offer the perfect backdrop for holiday photos. Enjoy an  Apple Cider   Spritz  at the Boardwalk Beer Garden or a  Pomegranate Salad  from Sydney’s Grill while experiencing the hundreds of lights that cover the Boardwalk stage—as well as jolly entertainment including photo ops with costumed characters  Dr. Harry and His Holiday Friends ; the a cappella tunes of  The Tinseltones ; and the exciting acrobatics of  Toy Shop Hop . Still hungry? Sabertooth Mexican Grill’s  Snowdrift Churro  and  Holly Jolly Quesabirria  are sure to please the palate, as are Treetops Bistro’s  Gingerbread Churros . What goes nicely with those treats? Treetops’  Specialty Hot Chocolates , and drinks like a  Peppermint Mocha  or  Gingerbread Latte  from Zoo Brew. Albert’s Restaurant is brimming with holiday spirits—such as its  Polar Bear Express Martini,  which mixes vodka with a white chocolate liqueur, sprinkled with crushed candy cane. Another special sippable is Albert’s  Ostrich OrnaMINT  cocktail, a combination of maple bourbon, coffee, and simple syrup.

safari park christmas eve

Make sure to find the way to Lost Forest, where  Gingerbread Landing  offers gingerbread-themed ornaments adornments and a gingerbread house complete with fun cookie décor pieces that make for festive holiday photo spots. Munch on a  Gingerbread Churro  available in the area. And no holiday excursion would be complete without a visit to  Santa’s Factory  at the Price Education Center, where the jolly ol’ elf himself awaits to hear wishes and take photos. This is also the place to hear classic seasonal songs by our strolling  Holiday Troubadour .

Over at Africa Rocks, the Rady waterfall is cascading festively, accented with projected color-changing lights and snowflake effects. The Africa Rocks Stage is the setting for  Dr. Zoolittle’s One Wild Night Before Christmas  (you’ve never heard the story quite like this!), and the nearby  Rocks Box  snackery will have yummy, warm apple spice churros available. But save energy and room—the sights, sounds, and flavors of Aurora are coming your way! 

The  Aurora Pathway Experience  (encompassing Upper Center Street, Africa Rocks, and Lower Center Street)presents Aurora’s friendly sprites, symbolizing three elements of nature—wind, water, and ice—inhabiting these three areas of the Zoo pathways, engaging guests with spirited goodwill. Music, lighting, and special effects on these themed pathways lead guests to Hua Mei Plaza and the Aurora spectacular, where the fun—and delicious fare—continue. Sip  Santa's Cocktail  (cranberry juice, Sprite, and vodka, with a touch of grenadine, topped with a maraschino cherry) at Bamboo Bar; or feast on  Holiday Harvest Beef and Broccoli  at Hua Mei Café.

The evening’s main event—the  Aurora  winter spectacular—brings lights, sound, live performers, and 3D video projection images, as it highlights the beauty of wind, water, and ice during two mesmerizing performances nightly. Families can get dinner at Hua Mei Café and enjoy the amazing performance. An Aurora VIP dining experience is also available.

AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK

Running select dates in December,  Wild Holidays  brings festive, seasonal fun and culinary delights to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Throughout Safari Base Camp, guests can get in the spirit via contemporary and classic holiday songs played by  Safari Park Radio 197.2 . This area is also home to the  Wild Holidays Celebration Tree , and its sparkling lights and wildlife-themed decorations. Multiple times each evening, the village comes to life with seasonal merriment, as lights dance to a choreographed holiday music soundtrack for  Light Up the Holidays . Ready for a treat? The Congo Kitchen has what is perhaps the pinnacle of seasonal sweets—a  Holiday Churro  with whipped cream, strawberry drizzle and festive sprinkles. Not to be outdone, Safari Coffee Outpost is ready to go nosh-to-nosh with any eatery, serving  Holiday Nitro Brew ,  Peppermint Bark ,  Holiday Mini Doughnuts , and a variety of  Gourmet Hot Chocolates . Of course, no holiday extravaganza would be complete without the man in red— Santa  will have his spot in Safari Base Camp for photos up through December 25, and then it’s back to the North Pole for another year! 

safari park christmas eve

Nairobi Village is brimming with holiday cheer, beginning with the Safari Park’s own Safari Parker, who will share his “ Twas the Night Before Wild Holidays ” with guests in the Village Playground. In the mood for a festive sing-along? Our  Holiday Troubadour  and his acoustic guitar, also at the Playground, will add to the holiday feel. At Flightline Plaza, our violin duo—the  Turtle Doves —will wrap seasonal music up with a “bow.” Keep your eyes open—and looking up—around Flightline Plaza and beyond, as the mesmerizing  Firefly Stilt Walkers  move about, casting their magical glow. The Enchanted Lagoon lives up to its name nightly, as Mombasa Lagoon comes to life with sparkling, flickering, floating holiday lights, adding seasonal ambience to the beauty of the lighted waterfall.

safari park christmas eve

Holiday merrymaking is thirsty—and hungry—work, and there are plenty of delicious treats to enjoy around Safari Base Camp. Tuck into creamy  Porcini Mushroom and Black Pepper Bacon Mac and Cheese ; accompanied by  Gourmet Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate at Thorntree Terrace . Or, savor the crunchy-and-creamy  Onion Ring and Black Pepper Bacon Poutine  and  Gourmet S’mores Hot Chocolate  at Mombasa Cooker. And for the ultimate sweet tooth’s sweet spots, the Oasis Deli is offering  Festive Fresh Fudge,   Peppermint Bark, and Gourmet Gingerbread Hot Chocolate ; as well as  Specialty Cocktails .

Spanning Safari Walk Bridge, the  Bridge of Lights  is a spectacular immersion of holiday glow and music that leads you into  The Spirit of the Season , an immersive experience of lighted trees, holiday décor and magical touches at Tiger Trail, Sambutan Longhouse, Walkabout Australia, Zuest Woolshed, World Gardens, and Condor Ridge, offering spots for that perfect photo. At nearby Macan Market,   you’ll forget all about sugarplums as you nibble delicious  Peppermint Bark  and  Festive Fudge Cups ;   complemented by a cup of  Gourmet Peppermint Hot Chocolate . Arbor Walk’s  Forest of Color  is another merry adventure, with its glistening lights, music, and amazing view of Condor Valley. More scenic photo spots await in the World Gardens’  Baja Garden , aglow with lights and holiday cheer. Guests strolling Walkabout Australia and World Gardens can catch a performance by  Sweater Weather , a touring guitar-and-percussion duo playing fun, imaginative renditions of holiday favorites. Want to sip in between songs? Walkabout Australia’s Sheared Sheep is ready to serve you festive  Specialty Cocktails .

safari park christmas eve

Besides having a flair for celebrating the holidays, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park have a lot in common, including a dedication to making every season special for the wildlife we care for. And you, our guests, are making this a wonderful time of year, as every one of your purchases helps support conservation and the Alliance’s efforts toward a world where all live thrives. For more information, visit  www.sdzwa.org .

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  • Top Monthly Events >

Top December Events

Discover a not-so-wintery wonderland.

This December, get out and enjoy San Diego's festive good vibes with plenty of space to celebrate, play and just getaway.

Featured December Events

Make the season merry and bright.

When: December 1-31, 2023 Holiday cheer, good vibes and sunshine are calling you back! So warm up and chill out this holiday season in San Diego.

Balboa Park December Nights

When: December 1-2, 2023 The free family friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, the amazing food.

Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo

When: December 9, 2023 - January 1, 2024 The Zoo will be aglow with holiday cheer and decorations, with music filling the air, joyful roaming entertainers, and special food items and sweets available.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

When: December 10 & 17, 2023 The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition with more than 80 boats lavishly decorated sailing by the shores for all to see.

DirecTV Holiday Bowl

When: December 27, 2023 This signature San Diego event annually showcases a thrilling game between some of college football's most competitive conferences, the ACC and the Pac-12.

Winter Wonder Beachside at Belmont Park

When: Thru December 31, 2023 Join us in embracing the magic of the season at Belmont Park's Winter Wonder—your ultimate beachside holiday experience. From classic rides and attractions, festive activities, family - friendly entertainment to holiday treats and cozy drinks - we guarantee there’s something for everyone.

Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

When: Thru December 31, 2023 Seasonal decorations, special wildlife experiences and a festive atmosphere will greet visitors at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as the Park spreads its own version of holiday cheer.

New Year's Eve

When: December 31, 2023 From grand and glamorous to intimate and romantic to family-friendly, there is a New Year's Eve event just for you. The possibilities are endless. Make this the best year yet by starting your year off with a trip to San Diego.

San Diego Botanic Garden Lightscape

When: Thru January 1, 2024 Enjoy live entertainment at the Conservatory's outdoor amphitheater, a spectacular poinsettia display, a holiday musical lightshow (with an extra surprise!), a snow mound, kids' crafts, face painting, mulled wine and beer, food trucks, a holiday market place and, of course, pictures with Santa.

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration

When: Thru January 7, 2024 SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration is the fan-favorite experience that brings families together with priceless traditions and fun-filled surprises.

Sesame Place's A Very Furry Christmas Celebration

When: Thru January 7, 2024 The park is transformed into a festive winter wonderland filled with holiday magic and surprises. Guests will enjoy Sesame Street Christmas shows, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, the Furry Friends Christmas Dance Party, and exciting rides. There will be games, special merchandise, and one-of-a-kind photos with your Sesame Street friends dressed up in their holiday best!

Holidays at LEGOLAND

When: Thru January 7, 2024 It’s time for Holidays at LEGOLAND®, where the Resort is bursting with holiday cheer and festive décor!

Winter & Spring Gray Whale Watching

When: Mid-December - April Each year, more than 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000 mile round-trip journey from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves. After spending time in warm Baja California waters so their young can grow strong, they make the journey north again in spring. The longest known distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis, it is truly an extraordinary spectacle to observe. With 70 miles of coastline directly in the migration path, San Diego is an ideal destination to see this impressive parade of gentle giants.

More Great December Events

Skating by the sea.

When: Thru January 7, 2024 This spectacular ice rink at the Hotel del Coronado is located seaside on Windsor Lawn and features stunning views of the Pacific and Coronado beach.

Rady Children's Ice Rink at ARTS DISTRICT

When: Thru January 7, 2024 Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, Sentre and NTC Foundation welcome the community to celebrate the holiday season with the return of their outdoor ice skating.

Viejas Outlet Center Ice Rink

When: Thru January 8, 2024 Lace up your skates and take in the holiday splendor as you relive a cherished piece of your childhood or take your very first spin at the Viejas Ice Rink!

Old Town Trolley's Holiday Sights & Festive Nights

When: December 1-30, 2023 Join in sing-along caroling with our Elf conductors as they share fun holiday facts, trivia, history, and traditions. Enjoy a 15-minute stop at Seaport Village for holiday festivities. Hop aboard to see the festive holiday sights of Old Town, Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and more!

Coronado Holiday Parade

When: December 1, 2023 Every year the Coronado Chamber of Commerce hosts a festive Holiday Parade - a twinkling collection of community groups, floats, marching bands and snow-sprinkled cars cruise down Orange Avenue

Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village

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When: December 3, 2023 Immerse yourself in a timeless, holiday tradition where friends and family, young and old can revel in the Christmas atmosphere that the FREE Starlight Parade and Children’s Faire brings each year! 

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You are here > Latest West Midlands news > SAFARI PARK'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS EVENT IS BACK

SAFARI PARK'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS EVENT IS BACK

safari park christmas eve

From 25 November and running daily until Christmas Eve, guests will have the chance to see Santa during the day, or on selected dates, visit Santa in his grotto during the evening’s Lantern Festival event.

Ahead of the month-long celebration, Santa had a good look around the Park’s Discovery Trail, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with over 400 Christmas trees, lights, baubles, new photo points and even thick layers of ‘snow’.

Additionally, the Park has installed two amazing winter lantern scenes, which look incredible during the day, but really come to life when the sun sets.

Bethan Davis, PR & Events Officer, said, “We are so excited to welcome guests to this year’s Santa Safari, as the Park has never looked this magical. Our team of ‘elves’ have been working really hard to make sure everything is perfect for Santa’s arrival, with not a garland, tree or bauble out of place!

“This year, we’ve installed a whole host of brand-new features, including a gigantic Christmas tree, two photo points for children, animated characters in the grotto and our outdoor sleigh has been transformed. Children will be able to experience falling ‘snow’ and write a letter to Santa too, which they can post in our cheeky talking post-box. Santa has given everything his seal of approval, so has now retired to his cosy grotto, ready to meet families from Friday. We hope everyone has a magical and festive time with us.”

Guests to the grotto will be greeted by Santa’s team of friendly elves who will magically transport families to the North Pole on Santa’s sleigh, captained by a new welcoming owl.

Disembarking the sleigh, they will follow a path through a magical winter wonderland, busy elf workshop and reindeer stables, finally reaching the grotto to pay a visit to the big man himself.

Children will receive a memento of their day by having a picture taken of themselves with Santa which they can then take home, alongside being able to choose their very own present from the elves’ workshop.

Also included in the package is a visit to Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, where children can enjoy a drink and cookie, whilst adults are treated to a hot drink and mince pie.

There is also the chance for guests to win a Family Annual Pass, by entering the ‘Letters to Santa’ competition, where children can write a letter to Santa and post it in his magical talking post box.

Additionally, guests visiting this winter can experience a virtual reality sleigh ride – a magical 4D adventure to the North Pole, helping Santa to test out his sleigh before his big journey on Christmas Eve.

As Santa Safari coincides with the Park’s Lantern Festival event, a variety of ticketing options are available, including an evening ticket which includes lanterns and an ‘Ultimate Winter Ticket’, which includes a day visit to Santa Safari, all the animal attractions, talks and shows, then Lantern Festival on the evening.

Tickets can be booked in advance via the Park’s website, where guests can also see the calendar of events: www.wmsp.co.uk/tickets .

Santa Safari runs from 25 November until Christmas Eve, and the charge is £33.00 for adults and children aged 3-64, £13.00 for under 3s and £30.00 for concessions. Adventure Theme Park rides are not open during the winter season.

Further information about West Midland Safari Park is available from the Park’s website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114. Find out more on the Safari Park’s official Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/WestMidSafari .  

West Midlands Safari Park

West Midland Safari Park is an award-winning visitor attraction, located in Worcestershire in the heart of England. It is home to a variety of all-weather attractions, including four miles of drive-through safari, the largest animatronic dinosaur exhibit in the UK and a theme park. With acres of versatile outdoor space, easy access from the M5 and free parking, WMSP is the perfect venue.

Falko Jan 30 2023 11:57 I would also like to attend such events. The last time I was in Paris, I flew with my family in business class https://businessclassconsolidator.com/destinations/business-class-flights-to-europe-france-paris/ the flight was comfortable and calm, we didn’t even notice it. Now choose your next trip.

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jasty July 06 2023 02:44 The Santa Safari begins on November 25 and goes until Christmas Eve. Tickets are £33, £33 for discounts, and £13 for those under the age of 3. https://snowrider3d.com

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safari park christmas eve

Christmas Safari Holidays

Why not think outside the box this Christmas? Ditch the snowy streets and grey skies for a new adventure, and embark on a Christmas safari in Africa! Christmas at a safari park is an experience you'll never forget - what could be a better Christmas morning than gazing out at the Serengeti?

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Top christmas safari destinations.

Africa is known as the top safari destination, and Christmas safaris are no exception! Enjoy the warm weather of an African summer in December while you spend quality time with your family, reconnect with nature, or just take some time for yourself this holiday season. Here are a few of our favourite Christmas safari destinations.

From the Okavango Delta to the Kalahari Desert, Botswana is a dynamic and fascinating place to embark on a safari. Here, the Big Five roam freely, and you'll have a great shot at seeing your favourites as they wander in search of food and water. You'll find newborn antelope everywhere, which means your chances of seeing predators such as big cats skyrockets.

2,105 Tours

While the short rains in Tanzania may continue through December, by Christmastime conditions should be lush and relatively dry, if not quite humid. Keep in mind that Tanzania is a very popular destination for Christmas safaris, so expect to pay peak season prices and grapple with crowds on game drives. 

South Africa

South Africa is a very popular destination for Christmas safaris! Families love the proximity to cosmopolitan Cape Town and pristine national parks such as Kruger, while couples, groups, and solo travellers often take advantage of the luxury camps available in this gorgeous country.

The weather in Kenya clears up just in time for a perfect Christmas or New Year holiday! Conditions should be dry and there will be plenty of opportunities to spot the Big Five. Looking for a beach holiday as well as a safari? Temperatures will be high in coastal areas, but the sea breeze keeps things comfortable. Keep in mind, however, that some lodges in the north of Kenya will be closed during December. 

Top national parks for a christmas safari

Spending Christmas in a safari park can be whatever you make of it -- whether you're looking for a traditional Christmas experience or something more out-of-the-box. Here are some of the best safari parks in Africa in which travellers can spend their Christmas!

safari park christmas eve

Victoria falls

How would you like to travel.

Whether you're looking for a family safari with kids, a solo adventure to celebrate all you've accomplished this year, or you're travelling with your partner and looking for something a touch romantic, there's plenty of options to choose from.

safari park christmas eve

Vacation packages for every budget

Christmas is known for being a wonderful time to make memories with friends and family - but it's also known as a time when prices for getaways skyrocket. While most lodges will be charging peak season rates around the holiday season, rest assured that there are still safari experiences available for every budget and price point.

A luxury Christmas safari means the best of everything: gourmet food, five-star accommodations (with some of the most incredible views you'll ever see!), and private game drives for you, your family, or your significant other. While these safaris are at the very top of the price range, travellers rarely regret the opportunities they provide. 

See all tours

Of course, there's no extra charge to enjoy the amazing natural beauty that comes with an African safari! Budget options, including camping and no-frills lodges, mean that a Christmas safari is possible for almost every traveller. Make sure to always check with your operator to see what is and is not included in the price of your safari to avoid surprise charges. 

How to make the most of christmas in Africa

Try local christmas dishes.

One of the best parts of travel is getting to experience the local flavours of the country you're visiting, right? Well, that goes double for Christmastime. Feast on curried goat stew, Jollof rice, and delicious rum cake for dessert.

Try to learn local carols

While you'll hear many familiar Christmas carols during a Christmas safari in Africa, there are plenty of local songs you can learn to further your enjoyment. Ask your local guides if they'd be willing to teach you a new carol, and leave Africa with a new tradition for next Christmas.

Give back to the community

Many safaris offer an element of giving back or volunteering with local communities, and travellers are encouraged to take part. Consider bringing small gifts for local communities, such as school supplies, toys, or sporting equipment. 

What you need to know

When should i book my tour.

Travellers looking to book a Christmas safari would do well to book far in advance, as prices will only increase closer to departure time. However, you might snatch a last minute deal for Christmas & New Year's Eve.

Will there be a Christmas tree?

Lodges usually put up a Christmas tree in their main building. However, don't expect a familiar evergreen tree! The tree at a Christmas safari will be a local, native tree decorated in the unique style of the lodge staff.

Will there be a traditional Christmas feast?

There will usually be a special meal on Christmas day. Travellers will find a combination of familiar traditional Christmas dinners such as turkey and mashed potatoes, as well as traditional local dishes.

I'm travelling with children, will there be a Santa Claus?

Santa Claus will make an appearance in certain safaris, but travellers with children anticipating a visit should double-check with their tour operator beforehand.

Should I really spend christmas in a safari park?

Christmas in a safari park will always be an amazing adventure and the right thing for travellers who are looking to step outside of their comfort zone and create new memories and traditions.

Contact our Travel Experts

Contact our Travel Experts

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24/7 Support

Our team of experienced tour specialists have travelled to hundreds of countries around the globe and have decades of first-hand travel experience to share. Contact us now to have all of your tour-related questions answered!

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Special Night Safari Christmas Eve Gala Dinner!

When the sun goes down on christmas eve. having a night safari at bali safari park might be the best choice..

Night safari special Christmas and New Year Eve 2022 Bali Safari Park

Special addition to our existing safari tour package, which give you a peak at the nightlife on Christmas Eve with your favorite animals.

SPECIAL NIGHT SAFARI CHRISTMAS EVE!

Is your adventurous type? Like going to the wilderness at night? – You must be very savvy about Night Safari, the activity which gives you a peek at the nightlife of wildlife.

Do you want to have Christmas Eve with a different atmosphere? The one and only destination who celebrates Christmas Eve with wildlife animals, Bali Safari Park would like to give you an unforgettable experience in Special Night Safari Christmas Eve on December 24 th , 2022. Are you ready to get wild with us?

What Activities are Included in Night Safari Christmas Eve?

This package consists of a walking and journey tour to ride a special tram and see closer wildest carnivores. From witnessing zebras, elephants, and giraffes interact with each other in the dark, to watching the king of the jungle. Don’t worry, the journey will be led by a professional guide that will tell you about the animal’s education. It is definitely the main highlight which is nerve-wracking!

Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at Tsavo Lion Restaurant will pleasant your ambiance! There will be Santa Claus who will share a special Christmas gift to you, and a special performance African Rhythm Fire Dance which will be presented by a professional performer.

The Price and How to Book?

Please kindly book the entrance ticket in advance. Special Night Safari Christmas Eve Gala Dinner will be open every day starting from 05.30 pm – 09.00 pm, tickets can be purchased through official website or Reservation WhatsApp. With a price IDR 1,200,000 for adults and IDR 960,000 for children aged 3-12 years, you already can enjoy all the inclusions!

Don’t forget to follow our social media Instagram for more special promo updates.

Already set your agenda to Bali Safari Park? Immediately feel the exciting and thrilling experience of Night Safari by clicking here !

Meet all our animals

We have hundreds of animals in our park from over 100 species, including some of the rarest and endangered.

Not only are we one of the leading wildlife conservations in Indonesia, we are devoted to caring for the animals in our own safari. We ensure the highest standards of wellbeing is given to all our animals.

Browse below to see the animals that we have given a loving home to.

The world's largest land mammals gather in groups and are led by females! It requires them to drink 150 litres of water per day to quench their thirst.

Lions are the second largest cats in the world after the tiger and can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa (West African Lion) and in western India (Asiatic Lion). They live [...]

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Safari Park's Magical Christmas Event Is Back

safari park christmas eve

Santa has landed at West Midland Safari Park, ready to meet guests for its annual 'Santa Safari' Christmas event and this year, he’s extended his hours.

From 25 November and running daily until Christmas Eve, guests will have the chance to see Santa during the day, or on selected dates, visit Santa in his grotto during the evening’s Lantern Festival event.

Ahead of the month-long celebration, Santa had a good look around the Park’s Discovery Trail, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with over 400 Christmas trees, lights, baubles, new photo points and even thick layers of ‘snow’.

Additionally, the Park has installed two amazing winter lantern scenes, which look incredible during the day, but really come to life when the sun sets.

“We are so excited to welcome guests to this year’s Santa Safari, as the Park has never looked this magical. Our team of ‘elves’ have been working really hard to make sure everything is perfect for Santa’s arrival, with not a garland, tree or bauble out of place! “This year, we’ve installed a whole host of brand-new features, including a gigantic Christmas tree, two photo points for children, animated characters in the grotto and our outdoor sleigh has been transformed. Children will be able to experience falling ‘snow’ and write a letter to Santa too, which they can post in our cheeky talking post-box. Santa has given everything his seal of approval, so has now retired to his cosy grotto, ready to meet families from Friday. We hope everyone has a magical and festive time with us.”

Guests to the grotto will be greeted by Santa’s team of friendly elves who will magically transport families to the North Pole on Santa’s sleigh, captained by a new welcoming owl.

Disembarking the sleigh, they will follow a path through a magical winter wonderland, busy elf workshop and reindeer stables, finally reaching the grotto to pay a visit to the big man himself.

Children will receive a memento of their day by having a picture taken of themselves with Santa which they can then take home, alongside being able to choose their very own present from the elves’ workshop.

Also included in the package is a visit to Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, where children can enjoy a drink and cookie, whilst adults are treated to a hot drink and mince pie.

There is also the chance for guests to win a Family Annual Pass, by entering the ‘Letters to Santa’ competition, where children can write a letter to Santa and post it in his magical talking post box.

Additionally, guests visiting this winter can experience a virtual reality sleigh ride – a magical 4D adventure to the North Pole, helping Santa to test out his sleigh before his big journey on Christmas Eve.

As Santa Safari coincides with the Park’s Lantern Festival event, a variety of ticketing options are available, including an evening ticket which includes lanterns and an ‘Ultimate Winter Ticket’, which includes a day visit to Santa Safari, all the animal attractions, talks and shows, then Lantern Festival on the evening.

Tickets can be booked in advance via the Park’s website, where guests can also see the calendar of events: www.wmsp.co.uk/tickets .

Santa Safari runs from 25 November until Christmas Eve, and the charge is £33.00 for adults and children aged 3-64, £13.00 for under 3s and £30.00 for concessions. Adventure Theme Park rides are not open during the winter season.

Further information about West Midland Safari Park is available from the Park’s website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114. Find out more on the Safari Park’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WestMidSafari .

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Tennessee Safari Park

Open every day, year round, EXCEPT Thanksgiving day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

The Drive Through Safari Park, Walk Through Safari, Wild Animal Preserve, Animals Up Close and Personal, Concessions (open seasonally and weather dependent), Gift Shop and a Children’s Petting Safari. Experience all the above and more at your Tennessee Safari Park! Drive through the 5.5 miles of Safari Roads in your own car and interact and feed animals as you make your way through our park.

Check Facebook for closings for inclement weather.

Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo Tennesee

Just over 2 hours west of Nashville the Tennessee Safari Park opened in 2007.This unique zoo has become one of the most popular destinations in Tennessee.

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Omsk city, Russia

The capital city of Omsk oblast .

Omsk - Overview

Omsk is one of the largest cities in Russia, a major scientific, cultural, sports, transport, and industrial center. The administrative center of Omsk Oblast, it is the second most populous city in Siberia.

The population of Omsk is about 1,126,000 (2022), the area - 567 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 3812, the postal codes - 644000-644246.

Omsk city flag

Omsk city coat of arms.

Omsk city coat of arms

Omsk city map, Russia

Omsk city latest news and posts from our blog:.

10 November, 2019 / Tomsk - the view from above .

3 July, 2016 / Omsk - the view from above .

20 October, 2012 / The bear at the gate .

2 August, 2012 / Omsk city from bird's eye view .

14 December, 2011 / Time-lapse video of Omsk city .

More posts..

History of Omsk

Foundation of omsk.

The need to build a Russian fortress on the banks of the Irtysh at the mouth of the Om River arose in connection with the steppe nomadic peoples. In particular, with the Oirats, whose tribes in the first decades of the 17th century began to appear within the borders of the Russian state being under the onslaught of their external enemies and as a result of internal civil strife. However, various foreign and domestic political problems of Russia hindered the development and defense of the South Siberian borders.

The situation changed only at the beginning of the 18th century, when the Russian conquest of Siberia intensified. Since Peter I paid great attention to geographical research in the south, the expeditions of that time combined socio-political tasks and tasks of scientific research.

One of such expeditions was led by the Russian military and statesman, associate of Peter I, Major General Ivan Bukhgolts. The goals of the expedition, numbering about 3,000 people, were to search for ore and gold deposits, the discovery of trade routes to India and China, as well as the construction of towns on the Irtysh River.

The expedition left Tobolsk to the south along the Irtysh in July 1715. In the spring of 1716, after a conflict with the Dzungars in the north of today’s Kazakhstan, the remnants of the expedition (about 700 people) withdrew to the mouth of the Om River, where they laid a new fortress named Omsky ostrog (fortified settlement).

According to the census of 1725, 992 people lived in the fortress, in 1742 - 1,092 people. From the first years of its existence, it served as a place of exile for prisoners. After serving hard labor and imprisonment, a lot of them stayed in Omsk for permanent residence.

More Historical Facts…

Omsk in the second half of the 18th century

The ethnic composition of the region’s population was formed in the process of settling the territory. Russians, Germans, Ukrainians, Poles, Belarusians, and representatives of many other nationalities were sent here to serve or were exiled. The indigenous people of the region were the Siberian Tatars and Kazakhs, who switched to a sedentary lifestyle.

The foundation of the second Omsk fortress took place in 1762. The first fortress, although it occupied a favorable geographical position, was wooden and, by the middle of the 18th century, it was dilapidated. In 1765, new stone fortifications were constructed. The first stone structure of the fortress was the Resurrection Military Cathedral, built in 1773 and preserved to this day.

In the end of the 18th century, the Omsk fortress was one of the largest structures in the eastern part of the Russian Empire, its area was more than 30 hectares. In 1782, it was transformed into a town named Omsk within the Tobolsk Governorate. In 1785, the coat of arms of Omsk was approved.

Omsk became the center of management of the Siberian transport routes and the Siberian Cossack army, which not only guarded the South Siberian borders, but also made a huge contribution to the economic development of the steppe expanses of Kazakhstan, the annexation of Central Asia to the Russian Empire.

Omsk in the 19th century

The fire of 1819 destroyed almost half of the town including the archive and the magistrate of Omsk with all the first archival documents. Therefore information about the life of Omsk in the 18th - early 19th centuries is scarce and fragmentary. In 1825, the population of the town was about 9,000 people.

In 1829, the town’s development plan was approved. It was made by the famous Petersburg architect V.I. Geste, who took the city of St. Petersburg as a model with its wide avenues, huge neighborhoods, fountains, cast-iron bridges, and an abundance of green spaces.

The composition of the population of Omsk was not quite usual. In the middle of the 19th century, since Omsk was the center of the military and civil administration, the proportion of the military in the local population reached about 60%.

Fyodor Dostoevsky (one of the greatest psychological novelists in world literature), who served a term of hard labor in the Omsk prison in 1850-1854, in a letter to his brother gave Omsk the following description: “Omsk is a disgusting town. There are almost no trees. In summer, heat and wind with sand, in winter, a snowstorm. I have not seen nature. The town is dirty, military and highly depraved.”

By the second half of the 19th century, Omsk in its development outstripped many steppe towns and became not only an administrative, but also a commercial and industrial center. In 1861, in Omsk, there were 2,122 houses (31 stone houses), 34 factories and plants, about 20 thousand residents.

In 1892, the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway began, which gave a new impetus to the economy of Siberian towns and positively influenced Omsk. The development of the Trans-Siberian Railway caused an increase in the urban population due to migrants who came to work from the central part of the Russian Empire. According to the 1897 census, 37.3 thousand people lived in Omsk. The town had 14 streets with a total length of more than 140 km and 13 squares.

Omsk in the first half of the 20th century

The beginning of the 20th century was a time of great changes for Siberia. Mass peasant colonization caused a sharp leap in the development of the region’s economy, primarily its agrarian sector, and the Trans-Siberian Railway ensured the inclusion of the local economy in the system of the All-Russian and European markets.

Due to its favorable economic and geographical position - at the intersection of the railway and the Irtysh River, in the middle of a vast agricultural territory - Omsk quickly turned into a large transport, trade and industrial center of Western Siberia and Governor-Generalship of the Steppes (Eastern and Central Kazakhstan).

Wholesale trade in bread, butter and other agricultural products was concentrated here. Omsk also became one of the industrial, social and cultural centers of Western Siberia. By 1903, the city’s population grew to 60 thousand people. In 1914, it had about 134.8 thousand residents. Omsk became the most populous city in Siberia.

During the Civil War on the territory of the former Russian Empire, from June 1918 to November 1919, Omsk was the residence of the Supreme Ruler of Russia, Admiral Alexander Kolchak, who declared this city the capital of white Russia opposing red Russia of the Bolsheviks. Soviet power was finally established in the city in 1920.

In the summer of 1921, an event took place that had a decisive impact on the cultural and economic life of Omsk. The functions of the administrative center of Siberia were transferred from it to the city of Novonikolaevsk (future Novosibirsk). In 1934, Omsk became the administrative center of a separate Omsk Oblast.

Over the years of industrialization, Omsk became one of the largest centers for agricultural engineering in the USSR. The metal-working industry also developed at a rapid pace. In 1939, Omsk numbered more than 288 thousand people.

During the Second World War, about 200 industrial enterprises were evacuated to Omsk, as well as 60 hospitals, dozens of educational institutions, theaters, museums, and hundreds of thousands of refugees.

Omsk after the Second World War

In the post-war years, new enterprises were put into operation in Omsk, all existing factories and plants were reconstructed and expanded. The industrial potential of the city was also strengthened by the Omsk oil refinery, the largest in the country. In connection with the rapid development of industry, especially petrochemical enterprises, the ecological situation deteriorated. The concentration of harmful substances in the air sharply increased. In 1964, the population of Omsk was about 702 thousand people.

In the 1970s-1980s, Omsk developed rapidly. In 1975, the city’s population exceeded 1 million. The most pressing problem was the ecological situation. Omsk was in the top 10 cities of Russia in terms of environmental pollution. Another problem that required an immediate solution was the development of passenger transport. The capacity of Omsk streets was exhausted, and therefore the construction of the subway became an urgent issue.

The economic crisis that gripped Russia after the collapse of the USSR had a negative impact on the economy of Omsk and the region as a whole. There was a significant decline in industrial production, construction volumes fell, and unemployment rose. A lot of organizations of the defense complex, research institutes, and design bureaus found themselves in a deep crisis without the state defense order.

The share of mechanical engineering and metalworking, light industry, and, to a lesser extent, chemical and petrochemical, forestry and woodworking industries decreased. At the same time, the share of the fuel industry, energy, and construction materials industry began to grow.

In the 2000s, Omsk again became one of the most important economic centers of Western Siberia with a developing mechanical engineering, petrochemical industry, various branches of the woodworking, construction industry, and a highly productive agro-industrial complex. In recent years, Omsk has also acquired the features of one of the largest Siberian centers of entrepreneurship and banking/financial activities.

Architecture of Omsk

On the street in Omsk

On the street in Omsk

Author: Tim Brown

Yak-9 fighter aircraft in front of the aerospace engineering company Polyot in Omsk

Yak-9 fighter aircraft in front of the aerospace engineering company Polyot in Omsk

The Omsk Cadet Corps

The Omsk Cadet Corps

Author: Stanislav Katsko

Omsk - Features

Omsk is located in the south of the West Siberian Plain at the confluence of the Om River into the Irtysh, about 150 km from the border of Russia with Kazakhstan. About 60% of all residents of Omsk Oblast live in Omsk. The City Day of Omsk is celebrated on the first Saturday of August.

The city’s coat of arms is very similar to the first coat of arms of Omsk approved by Empress Catherine II in 1785. It depicts a part of the brick fortifications, which symbolizes the reason for its foundation as a fortress and the center of the Siberian defensive line.

Omsk belongs to the temperate climatic zone with a continental climate of the forest-steppe of the West Siberian belt. It is distinguished by an abundance of sunlight. The average air temperature in January is minus 16.3 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 19.6 degrees Celsius. The highest wind speeds are observed in winter and spring, which is the reason for frequent snow and dust storms.

In the past, the ecological situation in Omsk was very unfavorable. Since 2011, the city’s environmental development rating has increased significantly. This was the result of large-scale modernization of many large industries (including the Omsk oil refinery). Today, road transport is the main source of air pollution in the city.

The level of pollution of the Omsk rivers - Irtysh and Om - remains consistently high. Swimming in them is prohibited. While industrial effluents are becoming more environmentally friendly, sewers are releasing waste products including diesel fuel and petroleum products into the rivers. Dust raised by dust storms is also a serious problem for the city as it contains a lot of harmful substances including lead.

The city’s industry is based on oil refining, petrochemistry, chemical industry, mechanical engineering (production of aerospace equipment, armored vehicles, agricultural equipment). Omsk is a major transport junction - the Trans-Siberian Railway runs through the city from west to east, and the navigable Irtysh River crosses it from south to north. Omsk Airport offers regular flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Tyumen, Surgut, Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Salekhard, Kazan, Krasnodar, Sochi.

The unfinished subway of Omsk has become famous in Russia thanks to its only one fully built station. Its construction began back in 1992. However, due to funding problems, the completion of the first line was postponed numerous times. In 2019, it was finally decided to permanently stop construction. For local residents, because of the long wait for the completion of the construction, the Omsk metro symbolizes unrealizable hopes, they talk about it with irony.

In Omsk, there are practically no buildings higher than 50 meters, according to this parameter it is one of the lowest cities with a population of over one million. 130 architectural monuments are concentrated in the central part of the city, almost half of the total number.

Main Attractions of Omsk

Dormition Cathedral - the largest church in Omsk located in the very center of the city. The original church was built in 1891-1898. In 1935, it was completely destroyed. In 2005-2007, an exact copy of the building was restored in its original place. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Omsk. At night, the building is illuminated and looks especially majestic. Tarskaya Street, 7.

Irtysh Embankment - the main walking street of Omsk with a picturesque view of the Irtysh River. Built in the middle of the 20th century, the embankment was reconstructed in the 2000s. You can walk along the alley on foot, ride rollerblades or a bike.

Merchant Batyushkin’s Mansion (1902). This architectural monument is located on the Irtysh Embankment. It is also known as the Kolchak’s House because Alexander Kolchak, the Supreme Ruler of Russia, lived in this building in 1919. One part of the building is occupied by the registry office of the Central District of Omsk. The Center for the Study of the History of the Russian Civil War is also open here. Irtyshskaya Naberezhnaya Street, 9.

Omsk State Museum of History and Local Lore - one of the oldest museums in Siberia and Russia founded in 1878. In total, this museum has over 200 thousand various objects of cultural, historical and artistic value. The museum is especially proud of such exhibits as the cast-iron figures of the Chinese lions Shi-Tzu, presented to the museum from China in 1895, as well as the skeleton of a woolly mammoth almost 3 meters high. Lenina Street, 23?.

Omsk Regional Museum of Fine Arts named after M.A. Vrubel - one of the largest museums of fine arts in Siberia. It has collections of foreign and Russian art from antiquity to the present day. In total, there are over 22 thousand works by painters, graphic artists and sculptors, as well as more than 1.5 thousand rare folios.

Walking through the exhibition halls, you can admire the canvases of Shishkin, Aivazovsky, Surikov, Repin, Serov, Vereshchagin. The exhibition of rare icons dating from the 17th-20th centuries is of constant interest among visitors, as well as a unique collection of jewelry made of precious metals found in the Scythian and Sarmatian burial mounds. Two buildings of the museum are located at Lenina Street 3 and 23.

In November 2019, a new exhibition was opened in a historical building at Muzeynaya Street, 4 - the exhibition of art of the 20th-21st centuries. The Hermitage-Siberia Center is located here too - the first representation of The State Hermitage Museum (the second-largest art museum in the world) beyond the Urals.

Chokana Valikhanova Street - a pedestrian street located in the historic part of Omsk. The street is decorated with abstract architectural forms, flower beds, wrought-iron lanterns. The walking area ends with an observation deck with a picturesque view of the Irtysh River.

Museum of Kondraty Belov . The museum of this landscape painter born in Omsk can be found in a picturesque wooden house, which is considered one of the most interesting architectural monuments of Omsk. The exposition tells about the life and work of Kondraty Belov, as well as about the history of the building itself.

In total, this museum has about 700 exhibits. The permanent exhibition also includes works by Kondraty Belov’s son Stanislav and paintings by some other local artists. In addition, temporary exhibitions of contemporary Omsk artists are regularly held here. Chokana Valikhanova Street, 10.

Plumber Stepanych Monument - an unusual sculpture located in the center of Omsk, which you can literally stumble upon while walking along Lenin Street between the houses #12 and #14. Leaning out of the hatch, the plumber is depicted as realistic and life-size as possible. It is among the most photographed monuments in Omsk. There is a similar sculpture in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

Lyuba Monument . This sculpture, located on the opposite side of Lenin Street from the monument to the plumber Stepanych, is especially loved by Omsk residents and tourists, who love to be photographed against its background.

This beauty in a lace dress with a neckline and a crinoline sitting on an openwork bench and reading a novel had a real prototype - Lyubov (diminutively Lyuba or Lyubasha) Gasford, the wife of the Governor-General of Siberia, who lived in Omsk in the 19th century and died at a young age due to illness. One of the streets of Omsk and the park are named in her memory. She is a local symbol of femininity and beauty.

Omsk Fire Tower - a picturesque architectural monument built at the beginning of the 20th century. Inside the tower there are museum expositions dedicated to the local fire brigade and the history of tower construction. Internatsionalnaya Street, 41?.

Park of Culture and Rest named after the 30th anniversary of the Komsomol - a popular place for walks, recreation and entertainment of Omsk residents and tourists, which has retained “the spirit of the Soviet era” in its name. Today, on an area of 73 hectares, several zones have been organized, various types of recreation are presented. There are walking alleys, ponds, water activities, for example, riding on hydro-scooters.

The ice town is open in winter, the Return of the Dinosaurs exhibition - in summer. The “House Upside Down” exposition is also popular with tourists. This park is a place for mass festivities, city celebrations and events. Maslenitsa, Christmas, City Day, and other holidays are celebrated here. Maslennikova Street, 136.

Natural Park “Bird Harbor” - a specially protected area located on the path of bird migration in the central part of Omsk. During autumn flights, up to 3 thousand birds stop here for rest. It is a great place to enjoy nature, walk along the eco-trail, and observe the life of birds. The park is situated in the floodplain on the left bank of the Irtysh River next to the Victory Park on Yeniseyskaya Street.

Omsk city of Russia photos

Pictures of omsk.

Omsk tram

Bogdan Khmelnitsky Monument in Omsk

Lenin Monument in Omsk

Lenin Monument in Omsk

Churches of Omsk

Chapel of St. George in Omsk

Chapel of St. George in Omsk

Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Omsk

Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Omsk

Cathedral of the Nativity in Omsk

Cathedral of the Nativity in Omsk

Sights of Omsk

Fountain with frogs in the park next to the main building of the Agricultural Academy in Omsk

Fountain with frogs in the park next to the main building of the Agricultural Academy in Omsk

Author: Alexey Pavlov

Church of St. Nicholas in Omsk

Church of St. Nicholas in Omsk

Exaltation of the Holy Cross Cathedral in Omsk

Exaltation of the Holy Cross Cathedral in Omsk

Author: Stanislav Vosinsky

The questions of our visitors

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IMAGES

  1. Safari Park's Magical Christmas Event Is Back

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  2. Christmas at West Midland Safari Park

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  3. Special Night Safari Christmas Eve Gala Dinner!

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  4. Santa wishes Safari Park residents a 'meery' Christmas

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  5. Holiday celebrations return to San Diego Zoo and SDZ Safari Park

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  6. San Diego Safari Park Christmas Lights Were Amazing

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COMMENTS

  1. Wild Holidays

    Santa at Safari Base Camp. November 24-26 and December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, and 18-23: Noon-8 p.m.; December 24: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; December 25: Noon-5 p.m. Safari Base Camp. Have your photo taken and visit with the jolly old elf himself, before he travels back to the North Pole. Santa will be away at the following times:

  2. Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

    See the Safari Park in a whole new light! Take a holiday expedition of light and travel through places that glow and twinkle with holiday cheer. Holiday tunes set the mood, and seasonal food treats tempt you throughout your journey. Select Nights. November 25-26; December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16-23, and 26-31

  3. News Release

    The magic of the holiday season returns, with two events full of wild fun for the whole family: Jungle Bells Proudly Supported by California Coast Credit Union at the San Diego Zoo, and Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Both events will treat guests to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, festive music and culinary delights, along with awe-inspiring ...

  4. The magic of Christmas is coming to San Diego Zoo: discover Safari Park

    From November 25 to January 1, 2024, San Diego Zoo will present "Wild Holidays", transforming the park into a world full of shiny lights and Christmas fun. This could interest you: Enchanted Village comes back to San Diego to make you experience a magical Christmas. It should be noted that this won't happen every day, but only on selected days.

  5. NEWS RELEASE

    SAN DIEGO (Nov. 23, 2021) - 'Tis the season for holiday fun, and Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo proudly supported by California Coast Credit Union and Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park offer memory-making holiday experiences for the entire family. Both events will treat guests to views of amazing wildlife, twinkling lights, entertaining live performances, holiday music and ...

  6. Safari Park Wild Holidays Guide and Review 2024

    When is the Safari Park Wild Holidays. Safari Park Wild Holidays is on select nights during the holiday season.. Stay Tuned for Safari Park Wild Holiday Dates for 2024. Safari Park Wild Holiday Dates for 2022: November 25-27; December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17-23, and 26-January 1 Wild Holidays in 2021 was on select nights from 11/26/21-1/2/22, 4 pm-8 pm. ...

  7. Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo

    Bring the family and enjoy some tasty treats and the warmth of the holidays. Jungle Bells is included with all admission tickets and memberships. Tickets Read More. Visit Website. San Diego Zoo. 2920 Zoo Dr. San Diego, CA 92101. Get Directions.

  8. Redirecting to https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/story-hub/2023

    Redirecting to https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/story-hub/2023/12/16/eat-drink-and-be-wildly-merry-this-holiday-season.

  9. Wild Holidays at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

    Santa and Mrs. Clause will be welcoming young friends through December 23, and have some special fun in store. Bring your appetite for holiday food specials among a twinkling, joyous atmosphere and celebrate the season with us. Dates: November 29 - December 1; December 7 - 8, 14 - 15, 20 - 23, and 26 - January 5.

  10. San Diego Zoo Safari Park Guide: 2024 Hours, Tours, Tips

    San Diego Zoo Safari Park Address. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027. Directions to San Diego Zoo Safari Park are quite easy, thanks to signage that you'll see after exiting the freeway. The drive from the I-15 freeway to the park takes a little less than 10 minutes.

  11. San Diego's Best December Events and Things to Do

    Seasonal decorations, special wildlife experiences and a festive atmosphere will greet visitors at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as the Park spreads its own version of holiday cheer. New Year's Eve. When: December 31, 2023 From grand and glamorous to intimate and romantic to family-friendly, there is a New Year's Eve event just for you.

  12. Safari Park'S Magical Christmas Event Is Back

    Santa Safari runs from 25 November until Christmas Eve, and the charge is £33.00 for adults and children aged 3-64, £13.00 for under 3s and £30.00 for concessions. Adventure Theme Park rides are not open during the winter season.

  13. Christmas at West Midland Safari Park

    Treetops Pavilion is the perfect party venue for gatherings of family and friends, work colleagues or a company Christmas party! Group price: £12.00pp (Groups of 10+ booking all at once) Party Nights in our Georgian manor house are a fabulous occasion. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, with an exceptional two-course dinner and ...

  14. 10 Best Christmas Safaris 2024/2025

    86 Tours. From the Okavango Delta to the Kalahari Desert, Botswana is a dynamic and fascinating place to embark on a safari. Here, the Big Five roam freely, and you'll have a great shot at seeing your favourites as they wander in search of food and water. You'll find newborn antelope everywhere, which means your chances of seeing predators such ...

  15. Special Night Safari Christmas Eve Gala Dinner!

    Please kindly book the entrance ticket in advance. Special Night Safari Christmas Eve Gala Dinner will be open every day starting from 05.30 pm - 09.00 pm, tickets can be purchased through official website or Reservation WhatsApp. With a price IDR 1,200,000 for adults and IDR 960,000 for children aged 3-12 years, you already can enjoy all the ...

  16. San Diego Christmas Events 2023: Ultimate Guide To Holiday FUN

    The Nutcracker Ballet by City Ballet. City Ballet dancers take guests on an extraordinary journey to the magical Land of the Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince this Christmas season. Performances take place at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Thu, Dec 21, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Fri, Dec 22, 2023 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

  17. Safari Park's Magical Christmas Event Is Back

    Santa has landed at West Midland Safari Park, ready to meet guests for its annual 'Santa Safari' Christmas event and this year, he's extended his hours. ... Santa Safari runs from 25 November until Christmas Eve, and the charge is £33.00 for adults and children aged 3-64, £13.00 for under 3s and £30.00 for concessions. ...

  18. 2024 Tennessee Safari Park in Nashville

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  19. Drive Through Safari Park, Zoo, Tennessee Safari Park, Alamo, TN

    Admission to the Park $24 ADULTS $16 KIDS AGES 2-12 YEARS Children 1 and under FREE Feed Cups $3 each or four cups for $10 OPEN EVERYDAY EXCEPT EASTER SUNDAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, CHRISTMAS EVE, AND CHRISTMAS DAY. We accept cash and all major credit cards. A 3.75% surcharge will be applied for processing fees on all credit card payments.

  20. Omsk city, Russia travel guide

    Omsk is one of the largest cities in Russia, a major scientific, cultural, sports, transport, and industrial center. The administrative center of Omsk Oblast, it is the second most populous city in Siberia. The population of Omsk is about 1,126,000 (2022), the area - 567 sq. km. The phone code - +7 3812, the postal codes - 644000-644246.

  21. SAFARI, OOO, Omsk Oblast

    SAFARI, OOO - 644035, oblast' Omskaya, gorod Omsk, prospekt Gubkina, d. 22, of. OFIS 21 - INN 5501197981 - OGRN 1195543029054 - Extract from EGRUL, accounting report. Login orAccess for 24 hours. 12 208 403 companies.

  22. Live Restaurant Horizon Webcam, Gelendzhik, Russia

    This is a live webcam view from the Restaurant "Horizon" overlooking the picturesque waterfront of the Russian resort town of Gelendzhik, located along Gelendzhik Bay on the Black Sea in Krasnodar Krai. On display is a wide waterfront promenade "Ulitsa Revolyutsionnaya" with a large fountain and "Sunny Beach" on the bay, as well as the historical Lermontov Arch (Lermontovskaya Arka), the ...

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    The live webcams will show you the most beautiful sights in Primorsky Krai, a region (krai) in the Far East Region of Russia.Primorsky Krai has a coastline on the Sea of Japan to the east and south and shares borders with China to the west, North Korea to the southwest and Khabarovsk Krai to the north. The region includes numerous islands and islets off the south coast, where lies the capital ...