It’s that magical time of year when many people search for the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family. Whether you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience or a truly unique stocking stuffer, these options are sure put a smile on every face on your list. Plus, all gifts purchased from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, support important work. As a nonprofit that doesn’t receive any tax support, the Zoo relies on admission, memberships, events and special programs like these to fund animal care, conservation, Zoo improvements and operations.
Animal Art Holiday Ornaments
The Loft animals and their keepers have been painting the perfect stocking stuffers or gifts for your holiday party gift exchange. These 3” x 3” canvases with twine hangers are one-of-a-kind, because they were painted by an animal ambassador! Skunks, reptiles and other small animals from The Loft will add their artistic touches to the ornaments by participating in voluntary training with their keepers. Some animals walk through paint and onto the canvasses, leaving their adorable footprints in a variety of flashy colors while others slither through the paint! These ornaments are only available for purchase for $15 each in The Loft. They’ll be available from Thanksgiving through the end of Electric Safari. (Additional Animal Art may be available online.)
V.I.P. Tours
If you really want to spoil someone, give them the up-close animal experience of a lifetime: a CMZoo V.I.P. Tour! During this private tour, your group of up to five people will experience three behind-the-scenes animal encounters of your choosing, plus a meet-and-greet with one of our ambassador animals in The Loft and a super-sized giraffe feeding. You can help train our lion pride, get up-close with the grizzly bears, say hello to the hippos, or choose from our many other animal encounter options. Along the way, one of our experienced guides will tell you all about the Zoo, our animals and our conservation impacts around the world. When your tour ends, enjoy the rest of the day at the Zoo, because admission is included. To see animal encounter options, all the details and to sign-up, visit cmzoo.org/viptour
CMZoo Annual Membership
How about a gift that keeps on giving all year long? Memberships can be purchased as gifts! CMZoo members can take advantage of free daytime admission (with advance ticket reservations), discounts on programs and merchandise, free members-only summer nights, free Electric Safari visits in the winter and more. Visit cmzoo.org/membership or email [email protected] for more information.
Tickets to Electric Moonlight and Electric Safari
Give the gift of memories made by purchasing tickets to a holiday special event at the Zoo, and be early to the gift-giving season! In December, Electric Moonlight offers an adults-only date night (there will be a lot more than milk and cookies on the menu) or choose Electric Safari tickets for a festive evening on the mountain for the entire family. Electric Moonlight returns to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Thurs., Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event is just for 21-and-up guests, complete with holiday lights, live music, food and drink samples, a drone show and access to most animal areas. Plus, an elf told us that jolly old Saint Nicholas will be there to hear holiday wishes from the grown-ups! Tickets are available now at cmzoo.org/em.
Starting Fri., Dec. 5, the Zoo opens its gates in the evenings for Electric Safari, where guests of all ages can explore the Zoo and enjoy the wonder of 50 acres of twinkling lights, illuminated enormous inflatable animals, a drone show and more than 80 handmade light sculptures on display throughout the Zoo. Until Dec. 23, Santa Claus will be at Electric Safari to meet guests and listen to holiday wishes. This event is a magical way to get into the holiday spirit on the side of Cheyenne Mountain, where the views of the city lights below the Zoo can’t be beat. Electric Safari runs Dec. 5-23 and Dec. 25-Jan. 1, 2026 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. CMZoo members have access to early-entry by reserving tickets between 4 and 5 p.m. Get all the details and reserve timed entry at cmzoo.org/electric.
Small group events and programs also make great gifts! See all of our options at cmzoo.org/events.
Adopt an Animal
Lions, tigers, and bears – oh my! Gift a hippo, giraffe, moose or another CMZoo animal to be mailed directly to you or a loved one. Depending on the level of adoption package chosen, it could include a plush animal toy! All adoption packages include a certificate of adoption, an animal fact sheet and a photo of the animal at CMZoo. Each adoption directly supports the care of Zoo animals. Find an array of adoption packages at www.cmzoo.org/adopt.
Tile Program
Searching for a meaningful holiday gift that makes a lasting impact? Imagine visiting CMZoo and seeing your very own commemorative tile alongside your favorite animals! Our tiles offer a beautiful way to honor and celebrate loved ones while creating cherished memories. Our Water’s Edge: Africa tiles will be installed inside the hippo building, and there are six animal engraving options: hippo, lemur, penguin, warthog, crane and pelican. Each purchase directly supports the care of our animals. This season, give a gift that lasts – a beautiful tribute that brings joy and remembrance to your loved ones! More information about our tiles can be found at cmzoo.org/tiles
View more gift options in our Zoo Store