Holiday Flower Show, Visits from Santa, & Other December Events

All Is Not Quiet At Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

glass room full of red poinsettias. Man watering in the distance

The Holiday Flower Show, now open in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, is a visual sensation to behold featuring hundreds of poinsettias. This year the Holiday show will include a variety of poinsettias including ‘Prestige Maroon’, ‘Jubilee Red’, and ‘Green Envy’. Variegated foliage, red kalanchoe, and pink euphorbias will accompany the poinsettia display.

The Holiday Flower Show tradition began in 1925 and continues to be the most anticipated flower attraction at the Conservatory today. The Holiday Flower Show will run through January 4, 2026.

Click to watch the Live GardenCam

Flurry of Activities In December

Storytime with Santa!
Wednesdays, December 10 & 17 – Noon
Santa will be visiting Como for Storytime on December 3, 10 & 17. Join us in the Visitor Center at 12:00pm, and 12:15pm to hear Santa read ’twas the Night Before Christmas. He’ll want to know if you’ve been naughty or nice!

Little Explorers Thursday! – Santa visits December 18 to read Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Thursdays December 4, 11 & 18, 10am – Noon
Little Explorers is perfect for the 1–3-year-old (but every age is welcome) to see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week! An ASL interpreter will be here most Thursdays interpreting the 11:00 Zookeeper Talk, and the 11:30am Blaze Sparky & Friends: Aquatic Encounters.

Santa needs a break from his workshop, so we invited him to visit Little Explorers on Thursday, December 18, for an encore reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Story times are 10:30 AM (with ASL interpretation) and 11 AM . Bring your littles to Little Explorers; stay for a classic holiday story and a great photo op with Santa

(there will be no Little Explorers on Christmas Day and New Years Day).

Sensory Friendly Morning
Saturday, December 6, 9AM
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is an energetic, colorful place full of sensory stimuli, and we know this environment can be overwhelming for some guests. This is a time designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families to explore the zoo without the crowds. Como strives to provide a positive, welcoming experience for every visitor. This program was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment.

Artist, Photographer, & Family Photo Hours
Sunday, December 7, 8am – 10am $5 per person
This exclusive morning session offers a special opportunity to capture the beauty of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory before it opens to the public. No registration required. $5 cash per person at the door. Bring your tripods, cameras, paint sets, or easels and enjoy a peaceful, creative experience surrounded by lush gardens and vibrant seasonal displays. It’s the perfect time to take family photos, senior portraits, or artistic shots in a serene setting.

No registration required
$5 cash per person, paid at the door
Enter through the Historic Entrance of the Conservatory
Please bring your own camera or art supplies

Photos in the Gardens with Santa! Bring your camera!
December 7th 8AM – 10AM $5 per person
Santa visits the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory as part of our Artist, Photographer & Family Photo Mornings! This is the perfect opportunity to use the beautiful setting of the many gardens inside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory as a backdrop for holiday family photos.

No registration required
$5 cash per person, paid at the door
Enter through the Historic Entrance of the Conservatory
Please bring your own camera

Senior Strolls & Sunset Senior Strolls
December 9 4:30pm – 6pm December 16 9am – 10am
Senior Strolls and Sunset Senior Strolls are special times set aside just for those 55-and-better. This is an opportunity to visit the Conservatory for a leisurely walk before or after our busy normal business hours. This event is a great opportunity for Seniors to enjoy a less crowded experience that encourages being active and social with some adult learning to spice it up. This program was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment.

Red Cross Blood Drive
December 17th 9:00AM – 3:00PM
We are pleased to host a blood drive at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Sign-up now by clicking HERE!

“Wolves and Wild Lands”
Now through January 19th, 10AM – 4PM
A traveling exhibit from Ely, Minnesota’s International Wolf Center, in partnership with Outhouse Exhibit Services, Inc, entitled “Wolves and Wild Lands in the 21st Century” is now open in Como’s Exhibit Gallery.

The exhibit is comprised of six preserved taxidermy specimens: 5 wolves and a coyote, each presented in its human and natural-history context, along with graphics providing regional information that impacts each of these animals. Species included are Arctic Wolf, Mexican Wolf, Coyote, Red Wolf, Rocky Mountain Wolf, and the Great Plains Wolf. This exhibit was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment

Holiday Shopping in Garden Safari Gifts
Everyday, 10am – 4pm
Garden Safari Gifts combines the best of both the zoo and conservatory by featuring botanical soaps and lotions, distinctive jewelry, adorable stuffed animals, fun interactive children’s gifts, live plants, bonsai, apparel items and more! Buy that perfect holiday gift for that someone special.

Daily Schedule: