2025 Zoo Gifting Guide

ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd is almost here! If you’re looking to commemorate your visit or get unique gifts for all the zoo lovers in your family ahead of the holiday season crunch, visit the Gift Shop on Main Mall during your visit, and check out Holiday Market: A Nowhere Collective Collaboration on December 2.

As with everything you purchase at the zoo, funds go toward keeping the zoo free to all, caring for animals here, and supporting wildlife conservation efforts around the world.

Send a Holiday Adopt Package

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Adopt an Animal program lets you symbolically adopt a resident zoo species and support its care. They make great gifts—choose from a selection of available animals and get a plush version of that animal to cuddle. During this sparkly season, consider an axolotl, red panda, North American river otter, or giraffe Adopt!

If you’re ordering for delivery, make sure you do so by December 15 so packages arrive before the holidays!

Check Out the 2025 Holiday Merch Collection

The zoo’s Gift Shop, right on Main Mall near the East Gate, is the place to shop for unique gifts from Lincoln Park Zoo. You can find many gifts from cute plushes to special items from this year’s collection! Here are some highlights:

This Year’s Limited Edition Ornaments

Every year, the Gift Shop offers special collectible ornaments that will deck your holiday tree in zoo-themed splendor. This year’s options include a wooden pygmy hippo with the Lincoln Park Zoo logo. Or, choose a hand-carved giraffe ornament, made from sustainable basswood.

You can also get this adorable glossy polar bear to add to your seasonal decor!

Every year, we also include a hand-painted ornament from a local artist. Check out this year’s offering, from longtime zoo supporter Jan.

“Stand Out From the Herd” Sweatshirt

This super-cute gray sweatshirt with the iconic candy-striped zebras that light up the night during ZooLights is back by popular demand! It’s cute, it’s colorful, and it’s a perfect clothing item for hanging out at the zoo, running errands around town, or attending casual events.

Lincoln Park Zoo Cozy Throw Blanket

This soft and fluffy throw blanket will keep you warm at the zoo, at home, or wherever you need a dose of comfort during Chicago winter. It features some cute visual reminders of all the things you love about Lincoln Park Zoo, from the accredited hibiscus collection to favorite animal species.

What’s That? A Hat!

This simple but attractive green beanie will help keep your head warmer in cooler-by-the-lake conditions while you show off your love for Lincoln Park Zoo. Talk about a win!

Warm Socks

Keeping your feet warm is also important throughout the wintry weeks. Match your hat with some gorilla-themed socks or choose a pygmy hippo design and go into the season with style!

Give the Gift of Membership

When you help someone become a member of Lincoln Park Zoo, they receive great benefits, from free or discounted parking to complimentary ZooLights tickets and access to Early Bird Member Mornings. This makes a great gift, and it’s one they can use over and over again for an entire year. Plus, you’ll be supporting a Chicago gem that works for conservation, wildlife, and the communities of Chicago every day.

Give to the Animals With the Zoo’s Wish List!

A gift for the animals is always appreciated! If you would like your funds to go directly to daily animal care and enrichment, buy from the Wish List. This list changes monthly and offers the opportunity to directly contribute to zoo needs. Since it costs $108,000 each day to run Lincoln Park Zoo, every little bit helps.

You can decide where your money goes—to provide fresh fish for the newest zoo residents, Ash and Lexi the brown bears, or to purchase puzzle feeders and nutritious treats for pygmy hippos, armadillos, giraffes, and other animals. Individual shares often cost less than $10 each, so it’s a great way to make an inexpensive yet meaningful contribution to your favorite zoo.

Get Tickets to an Upcoming Event

If you’re into experiences over material goods this holiday, Lincoln Park Zoo has options for you! Take friends and family to ZooLights to wander among the more than 3 million lights and hundreds of light displays. Enjoy roving entertainers and live ice carving, visit Santa through December 23, and sweeten your season with cozy bites and bevs.

Or, come to of the zoo’s other special events, including the Holiday Market: A Nowhere Collective Collaboration on Tuesday, December 2; the Chris White Jazz Trio Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 7; Adults Night Out: Holidaze Presented by Grey Goose Vodka and Patrón Tequila, a 21+ plus party on Thursday, December 11, or the Elf Movie Party at ZooLights with Alamo Drafthouse on December 21.