Families turn out for Holiday Magic at Central Coast Zoo

By Camille DeVaul · Tue Dec 23 2025

Crowds gather to watch animals unwrap treats as zoo celebrates community support and recent milestones

ATASCADERO — The Central Coast Zoo welcomed families and animal lovers for a festive celebration during its annual “Holiday Magic” event on Saturday, Dec. 20, transforming the zoo into a hub of holiday cheer.

Throughout the day, visitors gathered at animal habitats to watch zookeepers deliver specially wrapped enrichment gifts to the zoo’s residents, including meerkats, lemurs, monkeys, parrots, and other species. Each presentation drew crowds, with children and adults alike lining up to see how the animals interacted with their new toys and treats.

“It’s standing room only when the animals are getting their [gifts],” said Zoo Director Dr. Cynthia Stringfield. “Everybody is there and wants to see which is really fun. It’s great that the community comes out and they’re participating by providing things for the animals and that just enriches their lives.”

Animal enrichment, a key focus of the event, plays an essential role in the zoo’s daily care. According to Stringfield, staff are constantly thinking about how to engage animals both physically and mentally.

“Every minute of the day, we’re always thinking about what their life’s going to be like, and we’re always trying to enrich what is happening with them,” she said. “The things that the animals are getting will be a ball where, if you play with it, the food comes out, much like you might get for your dog or cat at home.”

Spider monkeys proved to be such a crowd favorite that their gift presentation was held twice during the event.

“Spider monkeys are so much fun that we did them twice because they interact with everything,” Stringfield said with a laugh.

Much of the enrichment used during Holiday Magic was made possible through donations from the zoo’s Amazon enrichment wish list. This year, the response from the community exceeded expectations.

“This year we got inundated with gifts. It all goes straight into the animals,” Stringfield said. "It just warms my heart to no end.”

Beyond the animal presentations, Holiday Magic offered a full lineup of family-friendly activities. Santa Claus greeted guests and posed for photos, while Andy Morris entertained crowds with holiday-themed magic set to festive music. The Central Coast Garden Railroad Society brought their model train display, and children enjoyed crafting ornaments to take home.

The zoo itself was decorated for the season. All Holiday Magic activities were included with regular zoo admission.

Holiday Magic also served as a celebration of progress for the Central Coast Zoo, which is home to more than 100 species, including red pandas, monkeys, meerkats, parrots, and reptiles. Stringfield noted that one of the zoo’s most significant recent accomplishments was receiving its final Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accreditation earlier this year.

“Our biggest accomplishment was getting our final AZA accreditation," she said. "We accomplished it, and we got our final review this year, and all big thumbs up ... we had a lot of work to do, and we accomplished it.”

She adds, "We’re continuing to move forward on a lot of different things of refurbishing habitats and bringing in different animals ... and having animals that were, perhaps, by themselves for a little while, if they're a social species, we want them to be with other animals.”

The zoo is also expanding its conservation and education efforts, particularly around monarch butterflies and pollinators. Staff members participate in monarch counts, and plans are underway for a new pollinator and butterfly garden in partnership with the city, Madrone Landscaping, and local master gardeners.

Looking ahead, families can return to the zoo on Wednesday, Dec. 31, for a brand-new event: “Noon Year’s Eve.” Designed especially for young children, the celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature a countdown, ball drop, and cider toast at noon — along with a ribbon cutting for a new nature-based play area in the former petting zoo space.

For more information about the Central Coast Zoo and upcoming events, visit centralcoastzoo.org