Miracle of Christmas - Live at the Zoo: 20 year tradition - Enjoying RVA and all it has to offer!

One of Richmond’s favorite holiday attractions, Miracle of Christmas-Live at the Zoo, returns for its 21st season December 20-22. The annual pageant is a reenactment of the Christmas Story. This live event includes zoo animals and cast members set against a period appropriate backdrop. Participating animals include camels, donkeys, sheep, and goats. Together they recreate actual events that took place more than 2,000 years ago. The annual average attendance for our pageant is 10,000 people.

Each pageant lasts twenty minutes with three performances per evening. Musical performances from local community, school, and church instrumental and vocal groups will precede each pageant. The pageant is open to the community free of charge thanks to many volunteers who donate their time and talent.

Miracle of Christmas- Live at the Zoo began when Jim Andelin, Director of the Metro Richmond Zoo, was designing and building the 120-acre facility in Moseley, Virginia, more than twenty-eight years ago. “Miracle of Christmas- Live at the Zoo will continue this year because of all the work to rebuild and replace the set, stage, and production lights that were completely destroyed in the zoo’s fire in June,” Andelin explained. “Each year, it is meaningful to gather as a community to remember Christ’s birth and the significance of His life for each of us.”

Others shared Jim’s dream twenty years ago and with the help of his and neighboring churches the Miracle of Christmas-Live at the Zoo began.

The 2023 pageant will be presented at 7:00, 7:45 and 8:30 p.m. on December 20, 21, and 22. Gates open at 6:15 pm. The Metro Richmond Zoo is located at 8300 Beaver Bridge Road, Moseley, VA- behind Grange Hall Elementary School off Hull Street Road in Chesterfield County, VA. Admission and parking are free. Refreshments will be sold for a nominal fee to benefit local charities. In addition, attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods to support a local food drive for Chesterfield Food Bank.

For more information, call the Metro Richmond Zoo at (804) 739-5666, email info@metrorichmondzoo.com , or visit the website at metrorichmondzoo.com/moc.

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