Albuquerque Biological Park Calendar of Events
December 2009
Featured Events
- Urban Forestry Student Art Show - December 1 - 31
- December Garden Holidays - December 4-31
- 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
- Holiday Evening Dining - December 26-30
January February March April May June July August September October November
Urban Forestry Student Art Show
November 16, 2009 - January 31, 2010
Sixteen beautiful banners displaying tree art created by APS students are now on display at ABQ BioPark’s Zoo. The banners are mounted on light poles bordering the Zoo’s central park. Conceived by Worldstudio, 
and presented in collaboration with the City of Albuquerque and Tree New Mexico, the APS student banner art contest was sponsored by Wells Fargo and is part of The Urban Forest Project.
Over 80 Albuquerque area middle and high school students participated in The Project by creating artwork using the metaphor of a tree. The sixteen winning banners were selected by a jury of creative professionals along with a City of Albuquerque representative.
The Urban Forest Project also has an adult component with banners created by local artists and designers, and mounted on light poles throughout Albuquerque. As with the student art, these banners used the form or metaphor for the tree to make a powerful visual statement about the environment. Together, they create a forest of thoughtful images in the urban landscape and help raise awareness of AlbuquerqueGreen, the city’s innovative environmental program.
December Garden Holidays
December 4-31, 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. Visit the old-fashioned Christmas tree and go on a tractor-drawn wagon ride on weekends at the Herigate Farm. Enjoy the miniature holiday scene at the Railroad Garden.
In the Aquarium, horticulture staff have created an undersea succulent display!
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 many ABQ BioPark projects and programs. (The event is closed December 24 & 25.)
Bring the kids to Holiday Nature Crafts on consecutive Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16 in the Education Building. Many evenings feature live entertainment and the G-scale model railroad. From Dec. 14 through 23 and Dec. 26 through 30, the Shark Reef Cafe will be open evenings for special holiday dining.
Advance tickets will go on sale at BioPark cashier booths on Sunday, November 1. Check back for news about when online ticket sales will begin.
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 at River of Lights
Monday-Wednesday, December 14-23, 5:00-9:00pm
Enjoy holiday dining at the Shark Reef Cafe. 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 for parties of six or more. Call (505) 848-7182 for more information or to make reservations.
Holiday evening dining at the Shark Reef Cafe will continue from December 26 through 30.
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.
Holiday Evening Dining at the Shark Reef Cafe
Tuesday - Saturday, December 26 through 30, 5:00 - 9:00pm
Enjoy a special holiday buffet or order from a holiday menu before or after your visit to River of Lights. Holiday evening dining at the Shark Reef Cafe will continue from December 26 through 30. Reservations are recommended for parties of six or more. Call (505) 848-7182 for more information or to make reservations.