Lights, Animals and Holiday Spirit!

Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only place in Colorado Springs where you can see over 85 one-of-a-kind light sculptures while celebrating the season with our animals at the same time!

You’ll also enjoy photos with our larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals, located throughout the Zoo! Electric Safari was voted 3rd Best Zoo Lights in the U.S. from 2019-2022 by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice.

This year’s event will celebrate 33 years of holiday cheer, and Santa Claus will be listening to wishes through December 23. Come celebrate the holiday season with sparkling lights, animals and fun for the whole family! (Inflatables may not be viewable when high winds or other severe weather is present.)

Orangutan-Friendly Holiday Shopping Guide 2022

Enjoy holiday shopping for products made with sustainable palm oil to help protect wild orangutans!
Download & share our:
Orangutan-Friendly Holiday Guide 2022
FREE PalmOil Scan Mobile App

Activities
  • Interactive activities; experiences with animals at The Loft near Rocky Mountain Wild, along with giraffe and budgie feeding opportunities.
  • SANTA will be available for photos and to hear wishes in the Safari Lodge from 4-8:30 p.m., nightly through Friday, Dec. 23.
  • SKY RIDE – tickets are available at Admissions. $3 per person, ages 2 & under FREE.
    (Be in line by 7:30 p.m., last Sky Ride leaves at 8 p.m.) Weather permitting.
  • HOT COCOA – throughout the Zoo you’ll find stations with delicious hot cocoa available for purchase.
  • Be a SECRET SANTA to the Animals!
    View the Electric Safari Wish List for a list of items you can bring in for the animals!
    Items can be dropped off at Admissions between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. any day of the week (by 2 p.m. on holidays), and between 4 – 7:30 p.m. on Electric Safari nights.
  • Larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals! (Inflatables may not be viewable when high winds or other severe weather is present.)

Select animal exhibits are open, including

African Rift Valley giraffe building
Asian Highlands
Australia Walkabout
Encounter Africa elephant/rhino barn (view from windows)
Rocky Mountain Wild (except grizzlies)
The Loft
Scutes Family Gallery
Water’s Edge: Africa


Restaurants open during Electric Safari

Food & beverage selections plus hot cocoa at:
– Grizzly Grill
– Cozy Goat
– Pizza with a View
– Elson’s Place
Hot cocoa & s’mores roasting only at:
– Rocky Mountain BBQ Co. (open Saturdays & Sundays)
Hot cocoa only at:
– Thundergod Gift Shop (open all nights)
– Dippin’ Dots in Rocky Mountain Wild (open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays)

Tickets & Cost

– Advance timed e-tickets must be purchased in advance, and are subject to selling out. All individuals visiting the Zoo must have their own advance e-ticket, including children age 2 and under.
– Your ticket will indicate the earliest time you can enter the Zoo. From the ticketed time, you have a half-hour window to enter the Zoo (for example, if your ticket is for 4 p.m., you need to be in line to enter the Zoo by 4:30 p.m.). Once you’re inside, you are welcome to stay at Electric Safari until the event ends at 8:30 p.m.
– Electric Safari is an all-weather event; snow, rain or shine. Refunds are not available due to weather conditions.
– No passes or other coupons accepted. One discount per purchase; discounts cannot be combined. All discounted tickets will be honored at the gate only with proper identification.

Refund Policy:

Purchased online tickets can be refunded or exchanged up to two weeks prior to event date. (For example, tickets purchased for the night of Dec. 20 can be refunded through Dec. 6 only.) Free member tickets can be returned anytime for another member to use. Refunds for purchased tickets are not available due to weather conditions or other reason within two weeks of ticketed date. Email [email protected] for refund requests. Email [email protected] to return free member tickets.


MILITARY DISCOUNT FOR ELECTRIC SAFARI

The military discount is offered to all active duty, veteran and retired military personnel any day of the year. Bring any of the following to validate the discount for you, your spouse and your dependents living in the same household:
– A valid military / retired military ID
– A copy of your DD214
– Your state driver’s license printed with veteran indicator or military identifier
– Your ID issued by the VA, VFW or American Legion
– A military spouse ID, if the military member is not present
This discount cannot be combined with other offers. A valid military ID is required upon admission.


SENIOR DISCOUNT FOR ELECTRIC SAFARI

Seniors must bring valid ID showing their age of 65+ to validate their discounted senior tickets at the gate.

Members

Zoo members attend Electric Safari for FREE (with reserved advance tickets)!
MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:
– Members are required to reserve complimentary online advance tickets.
– You won’t be able to renew your Membership during the nights of Electric Safari at the gate.
– Membership will be validated at the gate to confirm eligibility for member discount.

Exclusive Member Early Entry Hour!

We love our members! To say thank you, we open Electric Safari one hour early, just for members and their paying guests. Advance tickets are required for members and your non-member guests.

To Renew Online Now

Visit our Membership page.
Sign-in (or register if you don’t have an online account) to reserve your member ticket by using the orange SIGN-IN button at the top right of the page.

TIPS WHILE GETTING ELECTRIC SAFARI MEMBER ETICKETS:

  • Are you registered online, but forgot your member login?
    Click the orange SIGN-IN button at the top right of the page and choose the ‘forgot my password’ option. Enter the email you registered with, and you will receive a link to reset the password for login. If you do not receive a reset email, you likely haven’t registered as a member. You can do that before reserving your tickets to receive your discount. You can register HERE.
  • If you cannot remember the email you registered with, please email [email protected], and we will be happy to send you that information.
  • Who qualifies for the Electric Safari member e-tickets?
    Anyone who is listed on a current membership can get fully discounted member tickets.
    — For an Individual Plus membership, the primary card holder and his/her guest is included.
    — For a Family or Grandparent membership, the one or two adults and any children listed on the card are included.
    — For Family Plus/Grandparent Plus and higher, any “Plus” people are included (x1 for Family Plus/Grandparent Plus, x2 for Conservator and higher).
    — Third Adults can also get the member ticket if they are listed on the membership.
    Additional guests who are not included on the membership must purchase a non-member ticket.
    For membership questions, please call 719-424-7893 or 719-424-7830 or email [email protected].


Volunteers Needed!

Looking to volunteer this holiday season? Look no further than Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! We need assistance setting up and tearing down Santa’s area in Safari Lodge, as well as volunteer help during Electric Safari event nights.

To Sign-up to Volunteer

Contact us for questions by emailing [email protected].

Sponsorships

If you are interested in sponsoring Electric Safari, please contact Jenny Koch at [email protected], or 719-424-7814.

Electric Safari is made possible in partnership with:

Visit Children's Hospital Colorado's Website
Visit Toyota of Colorado Springs and Corwin Toyota Colorado Springs' Website