Welcome the holiday season with family-friendly events at the National Aviary! Explore tropical, immersive habitats after hours, enjoy seasonal cocktails for purchase, and take in holiday décor and more during Holiday Late Nights. Experience the perfect photo opportunity on Season’s Greetings Saturdays with Santa and a Penguin as you create holiday crafts, write letters to Santa, and even sing bird carols! Take delight in the taste of the season at Holiday Brunch and devour handcrafted dishes prepared by Atria’s Specialty Catering paired with seasonal cocktails available for purchase. While there, drop by the National Aviary’s Gift Shop, to grab unique presents for the bird lover in your life! Need inspiration? Be sure to check back for our upcoming 2023 Holiday Gift Guide.
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Season’s Greetings Saturdays with Santa and a Penguin
Saturdays, November 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Included with National Aviary admission. Purchase at aviary.org
Back this year: Santa’s sidekick: an African Penguin! Kick off the holiday season at Season’s Greetings Saturdays with Santa and a Penguin! Guests can take a picture with Santa plus an African Penguin, then sing along to some very bird-y holiday carols in the theater. After that, enjoy a fun storytime featuring a special feathered friend, write a letter to Santa to place in the National Aviary’s North Pole-approved mailbox, and create a festive craft to take home!
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Holiday Late Nights
December 26-29 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Included with National Aviary admission. Purchase at aviary.org
Continue the season of great tidings of joy the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve at the fun, festive, and family-friendly Holiday Late Nights at the National Aviary! Complete fun activities and marvel at different live entertainment each night, such as decorating a gingerbread house, testing seasonal knowledge at trivia hosted by Arnel Balcita, watching an amazing dance performance by The Shining Stars, or painting a beautiful portrait of a seasonal cardinal with instruction from professional artist Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas ( mariasideas.com). Enjoy hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and holiday menu items prepared by Atria’s Specialty Catering available for purchase in addition to yummy seasonal cocktails.
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Holiday Brunch featuring Atria’s Specialty Catering | The Garden Room
Sunday, December 10 and 17 at 11 a.m.
Adults $55, Children under 12 $35 – tickets include National Aviary admission. Purchase at aviary.org
Savor the season with a delicious meal curated by Atria’s Specialty Catering. Enjoy fresh fruit and pastries, hot coffee or tea, and a selection of gourmet dishes prepared by Chef Josef Karst. Choose from whole wheat cinnamon French toast with whipped vanilla cream and maple syrup, Bar-B-Que ham off the bone, and other brunch favorites. Seasonal cocktails and other refreshing beverages will be available for purchase. The serene surroundings of the historic Garden Room and Rose Garden that overlook the park and Lake Elizabeth are just a quick glance away. After brunch explore the warm tropical habitats throughout the Aviary, as brunch includes general admission!
Holiday Happenings at the National Aviary Presented by Baird Private Wealth Management Fleming Rodgers Group officially kicks off Friday, November 24!
The National Aviary will be closed most Tuesdays through December 19. We are open on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving and during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The National Aviary will be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
The Aviary will close at 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
