Albuquerque Biological Park Calendar of Events
December 2009
Featured Events
- December Garden Holidays - December 1-31
- River of Lights - Nov. 28-Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24-25).
- Holiday Nature Crafts - December 2, 9 and 16
- Supper with Santa - December 14-23
- Holiday Enrichment for Zoo Animals - December 19
January February March April May June July August September October November
December Garden Holidays
December 1-31, 9:00am-5:00pm daily
Embrace the holiday spirit at the Botanic Garden during the daylight hours through the month of December. Four thousand poinsettias, meticulously grown by the BioPark Horticulture staff, are stunning with their vibrant hues as they bring a sparkle to many of the displays.
The holiday poinsettia show is included with general admission. Everywhere you go at the garden, the holiday spirit is hard to miss! Call (505) 848-7112 for more information.
13th Annual River of Lights at the Botanic Garden
November 28 - December 30, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Rio Grande Botanic Garden visitors can enjoy the magic of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays at New Mexico’s largest walk-through light show. Since 1997, the River of Lights has been sparkling and raising funds for the ABQ BioPark's BioVan educational outreach program.
You can make special plans to ice skate or attend Holiday Nature Crafts. Many evenings feature live entertainment and the G-scale model railroad. The Shark Reef Cafe will also be open some evenings for special holiday dining.
Read more about the River of Lights.
Holiday Nature Crafts at River of Lights
Wednesdays, December 2, 9 and 16, 6:00-7:30pm
Bring your whole family to River of Lights and visit the Education Building to make beautiful gifts inspired by nature! All craft materials will be provided. No admission is required. Call 848-7180 for more information.
Supper with Santa
Monday-Wednesday, December 14-23, 5:30-9:00pm
Meet Santa and enjoy a special holiday buffet or order from a holiday menu before or after your visit to River of Lights. Reservations are recommended. Call (505) 848-7182 for more information or to make reservations.
Holiday Enrichment for the Animals at the Zoo
Saturday, December 19, 9:00-11:00am
Everyone enjoys receiving and unwrapping gifts, and the animals at the Rio Grande Zoo are no exception! On Saturday, December 19, between 9:00 and 11:00am curators and keepers at the zoo will be spreading cheery holiday enrichment to the primates, cats and elephants: paper chains, decorated tubes, edible goodies and boxes wrapped in holiday style.
Come see how the animals interact with their presents, toys and goodies. Enrichment projects are designed to offer zoo animal activities, edibles and new and unusual items that they don’t encounter on a daily basis. Enrichment enhances the animals’ routine, stimulates natural behaviors and encourages mental activity. Zookeepers will be standing by at enrichment locations to answer questions and explain the importance of enrichment for the animals.
Holiday enrichment activities are included with general admission.