The night lights at Jungle Bells.

^{Courtesy photo}

Simon & Garfunkel sang many years ago: “They tell me it’s all happening at the zoo.” That’s truer today during the holiday season. The San Diego Zoo, decked out in glittery holiday finery, has just a few days left of “Jungle Bells,” a celebration that stays open until 8 p.m. (through Jan. 2, except Dec. 31).

Colorful animal-themed light displays and special programs entertain, and various cafes and restaurants serve gingerbread cookies, hot spiced cider, s’mores and (for adults) coffee or hot chocolate with Bailey’s Irish Cream or Kahlua.

One of the coolest ways to enjoy holiday nights at the Zoo is from a gondola on the Skyfari ride, which transports you high above the ground. The ride is free for members and certain admission ticket holders, and $3 for everyone else. (If you’re afraid of heights, you can have one of those Kahlua coffees to calm you down.)

This is the first year that the zoo has experimented with extended hours in the winter, though “Nighttime Zoo” in the summer months has always been well attended. Some of the exhibits close earlier so as not to disrupt sensitive schedules or stress certain species, but evening hours are a great time to view animals that are normally nocturnal and tend to be more active at night.

You’ll see those cuddly looking but usually snoozing koalas actually awake and moving around on their perches while they chow down on fresh eucalyptus; the big cats pace around their cages with visions of sugar antelopes dancing in their heads.

A bell choir at the San Diego Zoo.

^{Courtesy photo}

Another advantage to the zoo at night? Less crowds and better viewing opportunities.

Jungle Bells also features a number of special entertainment options. On entering the zoo, guests are greeted at the front plaza with performances by a bell choir, and an artist creates fantastic ice sculptures twice each evening. An “ice” skating rink, made of recyclable, non-toxic polymer compound—more eco-friendly, safer and less costly than ice to maintain—has been set up by the Sabertooth Grill ($6 admission includes skate rentals).

At 6:15 p.m. at the Hunte Amphitheater, one of the best things about evenings at the zoo is a performance of “Winter’s Winged Wonders.” It’s a show by the magnificent and talented feathered stars of SOAR, the very popular bird show that is normally only seen during the summer Nighttime Zoo.

If Jungle Bells inspires you to do more for the zoo’s denizens, you can stop at the adoption booth at the exit and “adopt” an animal for yourself or anyone you forgot on your shopping list. Of course, you’re not going to be actually taking home an elephant, giraffe or orangutan, but your “adoption” fee will help to feed and care for your favorite creature. To quote Simon and Garfunkel song again: “And the animals will love it if you do.”