Members' Christmas Night
Early Bird Tickets on sale from 9am Thursday 13 November to Sunday 23 November – save the date!
Celebrate the magic of the season with a special after-hours event just for our members! The Members' Christmas Night is our way of saying thank you for your ongoing support and connection to the zoo, one of the many exclusive benefits of being a member.
Experience the zoo like never before and enjoy a festive atmosphere filled with live entertainment, roaming Christmas characters, carols, and family-friendly fun.
What’s on:
The event will take place across the African Lawns, Main Entrance, Elephant Trail, and Waterhole Trail, transforming the Werribee Open Range Zoo you know into a festive wonderland for members. The free Safari Bus will not operate during the event.
Entertainment
A 50-minute live stage show hosted by Mrs Claus featuring a Paw Patrol Live Christmas Show, Choir singing Christmas carols and an appearance by Santa himself! Show times: 5.45pm, 6.45pm and 7.45pm.
Roaming Christmas characters
Interact with elves, elves on stilts, the Gingerbread Man, Christmas Pudding, Christmas Present and Mrs Claus.
Face painting and craft stations
Create Christmas keepsakes and free facepainting while you watch the elephants roam!
Paw Patrol Scavenger Hunt
Discover clues and search for prizes in a themed scavenger hunt, ending at the Giant Paw Patrol Jumping Castle.
Christmas Market Stalls
Browse a range of Christmas decorations and homewares while grabbing a sweet treat from Phillippa's Bakery and Koko Black. Complete your perfect present with our gift wrapping service.
Event offer:
Members receive 20% off the Deluxe Safari and Elephant Wellbeing Walk. Add to your ticket at check out!
Catering
We have a huge range of food and beverage options for members to purchase at the Members' Christmas Night including:
Exclusive Grazing boxes available by pre-order only. Suitable for two people with, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. Add onto your ticket when booking.
Members can also add Kids Munch Boxes to their Grazing Box pre-order for just $13.50, the Munch Box includes chicken nuggets & chips with a refreshing fruit juice (plant-based option available).
Starters & Light Meals
Asparagus & vegan feta salad $15
Cos lettuce, grilled asparagus, peas, cucumber, and vegan feta dressing
Australian King Prawns (4) $18
Salad, fennel, lemon, cocktail sauce
Main Christmas Dish
Roast Turkey & Ham $26
Roast turkey breast, glazed ham, cranberry, roast potatoes, Dutch carrots
All-time Favourites
Smokey BBQ beef burger $25
Honey mustard, lettuce, tomato, Swiss cheese and chips
Vegan beetroot burger $24
Lettuce, tomato, aioli, and chips
Classic Nachos $15
Corn chips, guacamole, tomato salsa, jalapenos, cheese sauce, and coriander
Chicken schnitzel $25
Panko crumbed, green salad & chips
Cubs
Chicken nuggets & chips (plant based available) $11
Mini beef slider & chips $12.50
Penne pasta with tomato & parmesan $12
Dessert
Traditional Xmas pudding, brandy custard, summer berries $14
Mini pavlova, vanilla cream, passionfruit, berries $12
Meals
Marinated beef skewers, pita bread, & tomato salsa $18
Peri Peri chicken skewers, grilled corn cob, & coleslaw $18
Spiced pumpkin, apricot & chickpea cous cous salad $15
Bites
Mini sausage in a roll with tomato sauce $9.50
Salads and Bowls
Daily selection of salads and bowls FROM $14.5
Sushi
Sushi Sushi hand made rolls
Avocado and cucumber $10.6
Teriyaki chicken $11
Prawn and avocado $11.4
Cooked tuna and avocado $11
Sandwiches
Daily selection of cold sandwiches and wrap FROM $12
Hot Grab N Go
Breakfast wrap $15
Free range eggs, bacon, cheese & hash brown
Loaded lamb kebab $18
Marinated lamb, fresh salad, tzatziki, garlic aioli
Loaded chicken kebab $18
Crumbed chicken tenderloins, fresh salad, tzatziki, garlic aioli
Loaded veggie kebab V $18
Crispy onion and vegetable patty, fresh salad, pickles, tzaziki, garlic aioli
Chefs’ selection of hot or cold bento $18
Hot Chips LG
Small $7.9
Large $11
Kids Menu
Chicken nuggets and chips 11.0
Plant based nuggets and chips VG 11.5
Mini cheeseburger and chips 12.5
Mini fish bites and chips 11.5
Half chicken or vegie kebab and chips 12.5
Member Christmas Night FAQs
Zoos Victoria is proudly inclusive of all religions and cultures. We are proud to embrace and acknowledge the many traditions that make up our community, both within our workforce and among our visitors. By celebrating events such as Christmas, we create opportunities for celebrating community, understanding and togetherness - values that strengthen who we are as an organisation.
The event will be held on two nights, Saturday 20th & 21st December 2025, both between 5.30pm and 9pm at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Early Bird Tickets are on sale from 9am 13 November to Sunday 23 November. Regular pricing applies from 9am Monday 24 November.
The show will be held daily at African Kia Lawns at the following times:
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5.45pm, 6.45pm and 7.45pm.
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The show will also include local choirs and a guest appearance on stage by Santa.
Each show lasts 50 minutes and the same performances will run three times throughout the evening, so you will have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the rest of the activities on the night.
All animal trails will be open with the exception of the Australian Trail and the free Safari Bus
Yes, however you must be attending with a current Zoos Victoria member. Current members can purchase additional non-member tickets. Non-members will not be able to purchase tickets.
This event is taking place after hours and is not a free entry event. Tickets must be purchased to attend for both members and their non-member guests.
Tickets are limited! We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. There may be tickets available to purchase on the day however that is subject to availability.
No there is no age limit, however those aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Seating is not provided for the Live Stage Show.
You may bring your own chair and blankets, however, please be mindful to not obstruct the view of those around you.
There is a wide variety of food options available at the member Christmas party, with all our food outlets open. You can also pre purchase exclusive grazing boxes for the evening. Please note, grazing boxes must be pre purchased by 3pm on the 17th of December.
Please discuss your dietary requirements with our friendly catering team on the day, we will do our best to talk you through our menu options.
To get a sense of the food offerings available, please see the menus provided on the website to view our catering options.
Our easy-to-follow pathway system provides easy access for people using wheelchairs and strollers. For members and guests requiring mobility assistance to the Waterhole Trail, the accessibility vehicles will be available on the night and will be operating as usual.
Wheelchairs are available to hire for your visit, however due to limited numbers we recommend reserving in advance here.
The member Christmas Night is an all-weather event, so we recommend dressing for the weather bringing sunscreen, hats, as well as being prepared for any potential wet weather. Whilst food is available to purchase you are permitted to bring your own food.
BYO Alcohol is not permitted, please note, both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase during the evening from Meerkat Bistro and Waterhole Cafe.
Werribee Open Range Zoo is an all-weather venue, and both the shows and event will continue to run in the event of rain. A show will only be cancelled in the event of extreme weather and at the discretion of Zoos Victoria. All efforts will be made to communicate any cancellations via Zoos Victoria website.
We have free parking spaces available for our members and visitors at the zoo. During peak times, like school and public holidays, we do our best try to get you parked and into the zoo as quickly as possible. Please follow instructions from our parking attendants when it's busy.
Werribee Open Range Zoo is also accessible by multiple public transport options.
For more information on getting to Werribee Open Range Zoo, please visit our website here.
Tickets are non-refundable, tickets can be moved to an alternative date, please contact the Customer Engagement Team on 03 9340 2788.
For any further inquiries, please contact the Zoos Victoria Customer Engagement Team on 03 9340 2788 or via email contact@zoo.org.au
All profits from this event - and all our events - go toward fighting extinction.
Zoos Victoria is committed to fighting wildlife extinction. For several species, our long-term commitment is their only hope of survival. We are involved in conservation programs in six countries, eight grass-roots community conservation campaigns, and more than 50 research projects.
To join the fight, and enjoy all the zoo has to offer without limits, become a Zoos Victoria member today. Or, gift a Zoos Victoria membership to someone special.