All aboard01 / CANDY CANE EXPRESS
A ride to remember.
Take in the lights from a different point of view. The train is part of the story—and part of the fun.
Plan your train ride
Make a little room for wonder.
HolidayLights at CALM Zoo
A little wonder.A lot of memories.
Twinkling lights. A train ride together. A little holiday magic around every corner. Make a night of it at CALM Zoo.
CALM Zoo · Bakersfield, California
2026–27 SeasonNovember 28, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Evenings at CALM ZooSunday–Thursday: 5:30–9 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 5:30–10 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 5:30–10 p.m.
Let’s make a night of itEverything you need to know
Presented by
Your favorite kind of holiday night
So much more
than a beautiful view.
Come for the lights. Stay for the moments that become your family’s favorite holiday stories.
All aboard
A little Christmas magic02 / SANTA & THE PINES
Meet. Make. Be merry.
Find the cozy, festive side of HolidayLights with Santa, photo moments, and the Pines Marketplace. Create magic at our Creation Station.
Discover The Pines
Wonder around every corner03 / THE LIGHTS
Follow the glow.
Colorful pathways and larger-than-life displays set the scene for the photos you’ll keep coming back to.
Take a closer lookLess guessing. More enjoying.
Your holiday night,
all planned out.
Make a night of it from November 28 through January 2. Closed Christmas Day. New Year’s Eve has special-event pricing.
Buy Tickets (opens in a new tab)2026–27 Season
November 28, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Evening hours
Sunday–Thursday: 5:30–9 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 5:30–10 p.m.
Find us at CALM Zoo
10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy
Bakersfield, CA 93306
Tickets & admission
Adults (13+): $19
Youth (3–12): $16
CALM Zoo member adults, military, and seniors: $16
CALM Zoo member children (3–12): $14
Children 2 and under: Free
New Year’s Eve has separate event pricing.
Ticket purchases are completed on our offsite ticketing provider, VBO.
Buy Tickets (opens in a new tab)Train rides
The Candy Cane Express runs nightly during HolidayLights, starting at 5:30 p.m. The last ride is 15 minutes before closing. Train rides are included in admission and are weather dependent. Contact CALM Zoo for the latest updates.
Santa & The Pines
November 28–December 24.
Sunday–Thursday: 5:45–8:45 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 5:45–9:45 p.m.
Santa visits are included in admission.
The Pines Marketplace is an on-site part of the HolidayLights experience.
Getting here & parking
Access HolidayLights via Old Alfred Harrell Hwy at the turn onto Lake Ming Road. Follow signs into the CALM Zoo parking lot. The traditional entry gate is EXIT ONLY to facilitate traffic flow.
The HolidayLights entry map will be added here once available. Use the written arrival instructions and follow event signs.
Accessibility & planning questions
For help planning your visit, including questions about accessibility or accommodations, contact CALM Zoo before your visit.
Something extra to celebrate
More reasons
to make a night of it.
Plan a Santa visit, choose a Character Night, or celebrate New Year’s Eve with Mento Buru. Find the dates and details for your holiday night.
Explore events & calendar
New Year’s Eve
Extravaganza.
Sponsored by Entruity. Mento Buru from 6–9 p.m.; countdown and ball drop at 9 p.m. Special-event pricing applies.
Explore New Year’s EveBuy New Year’s Eve Tickets (opens in a new tab)Nov 28, 2026
Santa visits
5:45 p.m.–9:45 p.m.
See the events calendarDec 26, 2026
Galactic Adventure Night
5:45 p.m.–9:45 p.m.
See the events calendarDec 27, 2026
Princess Night
5:45 p.m.–8:45 p.m.
See the events calendarA glimpse of the glow
Picture yourself here.
Moments from a previous season.
Select a photo for a closer look.
Private holiday parties · The Willows at CALM Zoo
Your people.
A very special place.
Bring your team, your family, or your favorite people together. Explore private holiday celebrations at The Willows, right here at CALM Zoo.
Plan a holiday celebrationA community makes the magic
Be part of
something bright.
Visit. Volunteer. Partner with us.
There’s more than one way to be part of the HolidayLights story.
CALM Zoo memberships
The wonder doesn’t
have to end here.
Let this be the start of more adventures together. Explore CALM Zoo membership options and keep your family connected to wildlife, discovery, and the place behind the lights.
Explore CALM Zoo memberships (opens in a new tab)Give a little time
Help make the magic.
Bring your holiday spirit and discover how to get involved as a HolidayLights volunteer.
Volunteer with CALM ZooShine together
A brighter partnership.
Help bring a beloved community tradition to life. Explore sponsorship opportunities with CALM Zoo.
Explore sponsorship