PRESCOTT ZOO FIELD GUIDE
Santa Makes the Rounds: A Holiday Visit to Prescott’s Heritage Park Zoo
A short, family-focused event in Prescott where Santa delivers gifts to the animal residents and then greets children in the Pence Pavilion—this guide explains what to expect and what to bring.
Santa Makes the Rounds: A Holiday Visit to Prescott’s Heritage Park Zoo.
At Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary in Prescott, the holidays take a literal turn toward the animals: Santa tours the park with gifts for the residents, then settles into the Pence Pavilion to listen to children’s wishes. The event compresses a season’s worth of warmth into a concentrated two-hour, family-friendly experience.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Santa Delivers Gifts to Animal Residents
The core of the event is a park-wide tour in which Santa stops at enclosures to present gifts to the animals—a brief, theatrical procession that links the traditional family visit with the sanctuary’s residents.
Meet Santa in the Pence Pavilion
After the tour, Santa is available in the Pence Pavilion to hear children’s holiday wishes—an intimate, post-procession meet-and-greet that rounds out the experience.
Short, Accessible, and Joyful
Designed to be approachable for all ages, the two-hour format makes this an easy add-on to a holiday day at the sanctuary and keeps the focus on memorable, family-friendly interactions.
What the day feels like
What the Visit Feels Like
The program unfolds as a compact, ceremonial circuit: a meet-up at the sanctuary, a guided sweep through the grounds as Santa distributes presents to the animals, and a final gathering in the Pence Pavilion where children can speak with Santa. It’s a clearly paced, celebratory outing that pairs animal encounters with traditional holiday rituals.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this event is best for—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Guests may bring food and non-alcoholic drinks; picnic benches around the park are available if not reserved. Do not bring balloons or straws into the park.
Dress for the season and for time outdoors—the event is a two-hour program but includes full-day park admission for lingering before or after.
Plan arrival at the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary ahead of the 1pm start to locate the meeting area and any reserved spaces.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When does Santa with the Animals take place?
The event runs from 1pm–3pm and includes full-day admission to the sanctuary.
Where do participants gather?
The event meets at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary in Prescott.
Is the event appropriate for young children?
Yes—the program is noted as suitable for all ages and is designed as a family-friendly two-hour event.
Do members have to pay admission?
Members are free to attend the event.
Can guests bring food or drinks?
Guests are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks; several park venues with picnic benches are open for use if not reserved. Please do not bring balloons or straws.
Does Santa visit the animals during the event?
Yes—Santa tours the park and brings presents to the animal residents before meeting visitors in the Pence Pavilion.