Bergen County Zoo in Van Saun County Park, Paramus, glows each winter with Let It Glow, a holiday lantern spectacular of about 30 large animal-themed scenes. You can walk the route or see it from the zoo’s train. It’s close to the George Washington Bridge, making it an easy evening from Manhattan or the Bronx.
In the 2025–26 season it ran Thursday to Sunday from early November to January 11, roughly 4–8 p.m. Bergen County announces 2026–27 dates in the fall.
Quick Facts
| Typical season | Thursday–Sunday evenings, early November to mid-January (2025–26: Nov 6 – Jan 11) |
|---|---|
| Typical hours | About 4–8 p.m. |
| Where | Bergen County Zoo, Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ |
| Format | Walk-through or train ride |
Van Saun Park also hosts holiday activities in December. Nearby Paramus is the region’s shopping capital, with Garden State Plaza and Paramus Park for holiday shopping and Santa photos (note Bergen County’s Sunday blue laws close most stores on Sundays).
About Bergen County Zoo
The Bergen County Zoo is a small, family-friendly zoo in Van Saun County Park in Paramus. It focuses on animals of North and South America and includes a farmyard and a miniature train that circles the park. Let It Glow adds holiday lanterns to the evening experience.
Tips
- Check the county’s website for 2026–27 dates and tickets.
- Ride the train for a different view of the lanterns.
- Small paths are stroller-friendly.
- Paramus malls close on Sundays because of Bergen County blue laws, so plan holiday shopping on another day.
More in New Jersey
See our Christmas in New Jersey guide and New Jersey Christmas lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Let It Glow at Bergen County Zoo?
It runs on Thursday to Sunday evenings from early November into January. In 2025–26 it ran November 6 to January 11.
