Turtle Back Zoo To Host Million-Light Holiday Display For 2019 – West Orange, NJ Patch
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — When it’s up, one of the most-anticipated holiday displays in North Jersey will have a whopping million lights to gaze at.
Essex County’s popular “Holiday Lights Spectacular” at the Turtle Back Zoo will return for 2019 beginning Friday, Nov. 22. The free, public display will be at the zoo on until Tuesday, Dec. 31 (see the schedule and dates below).
Here’s what to expect, according to county officials:
“About 50 animal and holiday-themed figures will light up the winter night in Turtle Back Zoo and the surrounding Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. Over one million lights will illuminate figures of bears, tigers and elephants, along with holiday lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. Several animal exhibits will be open, including the Sea Lion Sound, Essex Farm, Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve, Tropical Currents Aquarium and the Reptile Building.”
Also:
“Myrtle the Turtle, the mascot of Turtle Back Zoo, and several of his winter friends will be on hand to greet visitors at the zoo. In addition, a ‘Meet and Greet with Santa’ will be held on November 29 and 30 and December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 and 23.”
“Turtle Back Zoo will be turned into a Winter Wonderland, with extraordinary seasonal lighting exhibits and costumed characters,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. “Stroll the landscaped paths of our zoo and admire the illuminated images of everything from toy soldiers to penguins.”
Admission to the light display is free, but the zoo will be collecting non-perishable food items, new/unwrapped toys and new or gently used winter coats. The items will be donated to several organizations that provide assistance to in-need residents. Last year, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, about 13.5 tons of non-perishable food, toys and winter coats were collected, county officials said.
Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be available for purchase. (Learn more about this local event)
The light display will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. on the following dates at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange:
- Friday, Nov. 22
- Saturday, Nov. 23
- Sunday, Nov. 24
- Friday, Nov. 29
- Saturday, Nov. 30
- Sunday, Dec. 1
- Daily from Friday, Dec. 6 to Tuesday, Dec. 31
For more information, call Essex County Turtle Back Zoo at 973-731-5800 or visit www.essexcountynj.org.
The 2019 Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular is sponsored by PSE&G, Covanta Energy, the Zoological Society of New Jersey and the Essex County Parks Foundation.
Check out some videos taken at previous years’ events below.
Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com
Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.