Spend a WILD school vacation week at Franklin Park Zoo!

WHAT: Looking for a great way to end the year? During your winter school vacation week, connect with incredible wildlife and spend a memorable day with family and friends exploring Franklin Park Zoo. Be sure to visit the education station inside the Tropical Forest, where you’ll learn about the amazing adaptations of animals during the cold winter months. There will also be fun winter-themed activities, crafts, zookeeper encounters and much more to explore! WHEN: December 26, 2019 – January 4, 2020.

The Winter Solstice in Story and Song

Celebrate the longest nights with Solstice stories and songs evoking the warmth of the season. Oracle award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb, accompanied by Celtic harper Margot Chamberlain and multi-instrumentalist Tom Megan, weaves together a tapestry of ancient tales and tunes revealing the deep meaning behind winter holiday traditions. This theatrical storytelling features the Scandinavian “Legend of the Mistletoe,” evergreen myths and legends of light all complemented by folkloric music and songs from many lands. Complimentary seasonal refreshments including a traditional Wassail bowle of mulled cider are included in the price of admission. Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21st 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm. Two acts and an intermission with traditional refreshments

Sunday, December 22 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm a special Matinee performance with refreshments after in the elegant Loring-Greenough House dining room.

The Winter Solstice in Story and Song

Celebrate the longest nights with Solstice stories and songs evoking the warmth of the season. Oracle award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb, accompanied by Celtic harper Margot Chamberlain and multi-instrumentalist Tom Megan, weaves together a tapestry of ancient tales and tunes revealing the deep meaning behind winter holiday traditions. This theatrical storytelling features the Scandinavian “Legend of the Mistletoe,” evergreen myths and legends of light all complemented by folkloric music and songs from many lands. Complimentary seasonal refreshments including a traditional Wassail bowle of mulled cider are included in the price of admission.  

Friday December 20th at 7:30pm

Saturday December 21st at 7:30pm

Sunday December 22nd at 2:00pm

Admission:
$25 early bird prices until December 10th.

A Holiday Benefit: An Afternoon of Music & Storytelling

Join us for an afternoon of holiday music and  family-friendly activities.  Be enchanted as musiConnects and our special guest storyteller weave a magical winter tale.  Music will include familiar classical favorites as well as newly scripted works.  Visit the oookie decorating table and frost your own treat.  Take a chance on a raffle.  Bring your neighbors and friends to celebrate the winter holidays with stories, music, dancing and sweets!

Holiday Sale and Open House

Join us at Stonybrook for our holiday sale and open house on December 9th! Come and check out the studio and local artists' work. Visitors can carve their own tile design in a sand mold, or scratch block, and we will cast it in aluminum shortly after. Creating your own aluminum tile for yourself or as a gift is $20 for 1 or $35 for 2, but watching us pour the molten metal in our lot is free! Refreshments will be inside along with artwork for sale.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Holidays with Haydn!

Enjoy 18th century parlor music in our 18th century parlor! In celebration of the holiday season, the Loring Greenough House is hosting a special chamber music concert featuring students from the world-renown Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Alumni from Walnut Hill are currently members of major symphony orchestras around the globe. The works of Haydn will be featured (with a little Mozart, too!) A festive reception with light refreshments will follow. Don't miss this chance to see and hear the classical music stars of tomorrow! --

Tickets: $15 general admission and $10 for LGH members* plus a small processing fee.

Loring Greenough House Holiday Open House

Join us as we open the Loring Greenough House for a weekend of fun and festivities! On Saturday, join us in our newly restored kitchen for cookie decorating and mulled apple cider. Carols by Random Chants and holiday decorations will fill the house. From 1 to 2pm, stop by with your furry friend for pet portrait photos with Mrs. “Claws”! Both Saturday and Sunday, you can browse our Holiday Art Sale featuring local artists and handmade wares–perfect for holiday shopping! Walk through the halls of our Revolutionary War house in all its festive glory!

The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan and Santa Visit Franklin Park Zoo

The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan is coming to Franklin Park Zoo! Look for the illuminating truck as it brings Santa to the Zoo on Saturday, December 8. Guests will be able to meet and take a free family photo with Santa between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Warm up inside the Tropical Forest building as you watch some of the animals receive festive enrichment. There will also be a fun craft to take home and an activity at the education station.

Spend December School Vacation Week at Franklin Park Zoo

Looking for a great way to end the year? During your winter school vacation week, connect with incredible wildlife and spend a memorable day with family and friends exploring Franklin Park Zoo. Be sure to visit the education station inside the Tropical Forest, where you’ll learn about the amazing adaptations of animals during the cold winter months. There will also be fun winter-themed activities, crafts, zookeeper encounters and much more to explore!

Friendsgiving at Franklin Park Zoo

Whether it’s finding food, protecting one another, or simply a form of housing, many of the animals that live at Franklin Park Zoo depend on their unique family dynamics to survive. Did you know Prairie dogs have unique “barks” to warn their colony from different predators, or that ring-tailed lemurs keep their tails raised like flags to keep group members together when traveling? Discover more about these special relationships as we celebrate Friendsgiving at the Zoo on Saturday, November 17. Watch as some of the animals receive festive enrichment, and learn more about these unique bonds at the education station. There will also be zookeeper chats and a fun craft to take home.