Million-Light Holiday Display Will Return To Turtle Back Zoo In NJ

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A popular holiday light display is returning to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo – and it’s free.

The zoo’s 2025-2026 Holiday Lights Spectacular will kick off on Friday, Nov. 21 and conclude on Saturday, Jan. 3 (see schedule below). It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

The Turtle Back Zoo is located at the South Mountain Recreation Complex, 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange.

Here’s what to expect, organizers say:

“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 Essex Farm, Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve, Amazing Asia and the Reptile Building. 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.”

According to Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., the zoo will be transformed into a “Winter Wonderland,” complete with seasonal lighting exhibits and costumed characters.

The county executive invited guests to “stroll the landscaped paths of our zoo and admire the illuminated images of everything from toy soldiers to penguins.”

Admission is free. Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be available for purchase.

This year’s holiday lights schedule will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on the following dates:

• Friday, Saturday, Sunday: November 21, 22, 23
• Daily from Friday, November 28 to January 3, 2026

The Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular is sponsored by PSE&G, Reworld (formerly Covanta Energy), the Zoological Society of New Jersey and the Essex County Parks Foundation.

For more information, call Essex County Turtle Back Zoo at 973-731-5800.

SANTA PHOTOS

Photos with Santa Claus and Ms. Claus will also be taking place. Personal photos are allowed; professional photos may be purchased on site. No appointments are needed.

“Meet and greet” sessions will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. (lines may close earlier) on the following dates:

• Friday to Sunday, November 21 to 23
• Friday to Sunday, November 28 to 30
• Friday to Sunday, December 5 to 7
• Daily from December 12 to 23

DONATION DRIVE

The zoo will be collecting non-perishable food items, as well as new, unwrapped toys and new/gently used winter coats. Items will be donated to several organizations that provide assistance to people in need.

Donations collected over the years have amounted to more than 184 tons of non-perishable food, 365,000 toys and 25,000 winter coats, the county said.

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