MENDON - Plan a great holiday time adventure this November 25.  Guests will be delighted to know that the Festival of Illumination at Southwick’s Zoo will be open as a Walk Thru on Thanksgiving Day, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Guests can also catch a glimpse of the Winter Wonderland Holiday Spectacular, which will be open as a drive-thru beginning November 26 and running through the holiday to January 2.

Beginning on Black Friday, November 26, Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination come together at Southwick’s Zoo to create an extraordinary and memorable holiday experience for guests of all ages.  Guests will be in immersed in the magical world of over a million dazzling holiday lights and enchanting festival lanterns. The 45-minute drive-thru route includes a visit to the Frozen Forest where guests may spy a few of Southwick’s Zoo’s beautiful fallow deer, Whooville to encounter the Grinch himself and the integration of the impressive and “larger than life” Festival of Illumination lanterns, showcasing a tour of the globe through the incredible artistry of handcrafted Chinese Lanterns.  Included with admission, enjoy Santa’s Village. After your tour, park your car and hop on the train tram that will drop guests off at the entrance to the Village.  Warm up in the Cirque de Lumination Big Top tent.  Meet and greet with Santa Claus, enjoy live entertainment, cozy up by the firepits and enjoy s’mores, hot toddies and more.  www.festivalofillumination.com

The Purple Peacock Gift Shop located at Southwick’s Zoo will be open throughout the holidays, offering special in-store weekly and daily sales, including discounts on Southwick’s Zoo 2022 admission tickets and in-store merchandise. Don’t miss the Purple Peacock Gift Shop Openhouse, noon to 9pm, on December 4th and 5th.  www.southwickszoo.com

Southwick’s Zoo’s much anticipated Cyber Monday sale begins on Sunday, November 28 and runs through to Wednesday, December 1 at midnight; 50% off 2022 Southwick’s Zoo Flex Admission Ticket.  www.southwickszoo.com

Grab your camera and the little ones.  Santa’s Brunch is back at Galliford’s Restaurant, each weekend beginning on the weekend of November 27 and 28, through to December 18 and 19; 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Galliford’s Restaurant at Southwick’s Zoo is open year-round.  During the holidays reservations are strongly recommended.  www.gallilfords.com  508.928.0928

Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination is an evening event now through to January 2; Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 4:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for the walk thru portion.  Ticket purchase for the drive thru portion must be purchased online and will not be available at the gate. For additional information please visit www.festivalofillumination.com.