Igloo rentals come to Riverbanks Zoo

Want to throw a small holiday party for your friends and family at Riverbanks Zoo?

Now you can.

Private “igloos” this year are available for rent during the zoo’s 2nd annual Wild Lights.

The tent-like igloos are available to zoo members for as many as six people for $200. For nonmembers, the cost is $250.

The rentals include fun games, a small music speaker, hot chocolate, s’mores and a private fire pit outside.

“It’s just a winter wonderland where the igloos would be set up,” said Michael Collins, events manager at Riverbanks Zoo.

Amanda Ciora, the zoo’s events and marketing specialist, said she is excited that families will be able to have their own intimate setting within the zoo.

“I’m really excited to see those coming out,” Ciora said.

Once an igloo is rented the family has as long as they want to stay in that setting while the Wild Lights show is taking place.

“Plus, we have a couple of really cool full options that you don’t see around the zoo,” Ciora said. “And only people purchasing those igloo packages will get to see.”

Staff members look forward to the Wild Lights show.

“Everyone as a group is just super excited,” Ciora said. “And we’re really just excited for the community to be able to come out and see it too.”

Last year the zoo had almost 100,000 guests come to see the lights. But if you went last year, don’t worry.

“Every single lantern that is in the zoo is new …,” Collins said. “Highly recommend everybody come out for this new year with all of the new lanterns to see.”

Wild Lights is the zoo’s largest event. And it takes the most amount of time to set up.

Matt Perron, the zoo’s public relations manager, said the zoo heard the community’s comments last year.

“About how, yeah, these lanterns are really cool,” Perron said. “We do miss some of the Christmassy-type lights, so we’ve had our event team out here as well, wrapping more trees this year, putting up more holiday-festive lights.”

Santa also will be at the zoo for kids to sit on his lap.

The lights will start Nov. 15 and run through Jan. 12 from 5-9 p.m.

Prices for tickets differ depending on the night. They are between $20.99 and $25.99 per person. Weekends and dates near Dec. 25 are the most expansive.