TREE TRIM

DATES: Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10, 2024
LOCATION: Zoowide

Does your community group want to get into the holiday spirit early? Join Brookfield Zoo Chicago in gearing up for our Holiday Magic celebration by participating in Tree Trim! 

Sponsoring a tree is a beautiful way to support the Zoo and celebrate the 43rd annual Holiday Magic. School groups, scout troops, families, and companies are all welcome to participate in Tree Trim on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10, 2024. 

Once you have registered, date reservations are not required! Just pick the date (November 9 or 10) that works best for your group, bring your tickets, and come out to decorate. 

Please note, Corporate Trees have sold out for 2024. Limited Community Trees are currently available. 


PURCHASE TREE HERE

Ornament Guidelines

 

TREE TRIM MAP

 

 

TREE TRIM DETAILS

 

Community Tree Trim Details: Cost $195*
-A fully LED-lit tree (additional lights not permitted)
-Twenty (20) complimentary general admission passes (valid on 11/9 and 11/10 only)
-Five (5) complimentary parking passes (valid on 11/9 and 11/10 only)
-A sign featuring your town and the names of those who decorated and donated the tree
-Recognition at the Zoo from November 9 to January 11

Corporate Tree Trim Details: Cost $600* SOLD OUT FOR 2024!
-A fully LED-lit tree near Roosevelt Fountain (additional lights not permitted)
-Thirty (30) complimentary general admission passes (valid on 11/9 and 11/10 only)
-Ten (10) complimentary parking passes (valid on 11/9 and 11/10 only)
-A sign featuring your company/organization logo and the names of those who decorated the tree
-Recognition at the zoo from November 9 to January 11

*There are a limited number of trees available for purchase. Trees are real trees so they vary in size and shape.
 
Additional Admission and Parking Tickets:

 

Purchase General Admission Tickets (valid on 11/9 and 11/10 only): $10*
Purchase Parking Tickets (valid on 11/9 and 11/10 only): $15

*Discounted tickets MUST be purchased in advance through the Tree Trim webpage. Tickets purchased onsite will not be discounted. All tickets are nonrefundable. EVENT WILL PROCEED RAIN, SHINE, OR SNOW. PROGRAMMING SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 

Tree Trim Patches
Purchase Commemorative Patches: $4 each 

PURCHASE PATCHES



*Patches will not be shipped. They can be picked up at the South Gate Market during Tree Trim Weekend. If patches need to be shipped, please call 708-688-8638 for shipping pricing and details.
 
Tree Trim Menu
Treats can be provided for your group's Tree Trim outing! Check out our menu to order your treats by November 6.

TREE TRIM MENU


Ornament Guidelines:
Please keep in mind the safety of our animals by reviewing the ornament guidelines to see what materials such as tinsel, glass, porcelain, etc. are not safe to use to decorate your tree.
*Review Ornament Guidelines*
Unsafe items will be removed by staff and disposed of.
 
Tree UnTrim:
Tree UnTrim will take place from January 1-11, 2025 where groups are allowed to come back to retrieve remaining ornaments from their tree. On January 12, staff and volunteers will begin removing any remaining ornaments from the trees. These ornaments will not be saved for your group. Please do not use valuable or sentimental items as ornaments – Brookfield Zoo Chicago is not responsible for ornaments/decorations that are missing or stolen.
 
Questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions below or email us at Tree.Trim@brookfieldzoo.org.

FAQs

When is Tree Trim?

Community and Corporate Tree Trim is Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, 2024. Tree Trim decorating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tree Trim tickets are good for either day of Tree Trim, Saturday or Sunday.

Can my group purchase a tree with a check?

No. We ask that all tree purchases must be made through our website.

When do trees need to be purchased?

Trees go on sale the first week of September on the Tree Trim webpage. Trees are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and we do our best to accommodate all requests for trees but do have a limited quantity.

Where will my tree be located within the Zoo?

Trees are assigned numbers and their location on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a confirmation email within a month prior to Tree Trim weekend containing your tree number and location.

I’m a member – do I need a separate ticket to visit for Tree Trim weekend?

No – anyone with a membership can use their pass to gain entry during Tree Trim weekend.

How do I access my passes?

Your passes will be sent to you via your confirmation email. If you cannot locate a confirmation email and need access to passes, please email admissions with your order details.
 

Does everyone in my group need a ticket?

Yes, everyone attending Tree Trim needs a ticket, including parent/adult chaperones.
 

I don’t know how many people will be attending with my group yet. Do I have to purchase additional tickets at the time I purchase my tree? 

No – additional tickets can be purchased at any time prior to the event. These discounted tickets will be available for purchase online through Friday, November 8, 2024, but not during Tree Trim weekend. Regular priced tickets can be purchased at the gates during Tree Trim weekend. Tree Trim admission and parking tickets should be purchased through the Tree Trim webpage. 
Please note: since tickets are sent directly to group leaders, group leaders do not have to purchase additional tickets on behalf of the whole group. Individual participants can purchase their own additional tickets, if they choose.  
 

My group will be purchasing more than one tree. Can our trees be placed next to each other?

Please purchase both/all of your trees in the same order. If you need to place two separate orders, please email us as soon as possible with your order numbers and we will do our best to have your trees placed next to each other. Trees next to each other are not guaranteed.
 

I purchased my tree and have my tickets, what happens next?

You will receive a secondary confirmation email that will contain your tree number, location within the Zoo, and additional event details at least a month prior to Tree Trim weekend. If you have not yet received your secondary confirmation email a month prior to Tree Trim weekend, please let us know.
 

A tree was purchased for our group. How do we find out what our tree number is and get our tickets?

The group leader (or person who placed the order) will receive specific information regarding your tree order. Please contact them directly for details about your group outing.
 

How do I purchase patches?

Patches can be purchased online for $4.00 each. Patches will not be shipped and will be available for pick-up during Tree Trim weekend at the South Gate Market. A limited quantity of patches can be purchased during Tree Trim at the South Gate Market if not sold out. If patches need to be shipped, please call 708-688-8638 for shipping pricing and details.
 

What types of ornaments are allowed on the trees?

Please see our ornament guide for additional ornament details.  
Please note: ornaments that do not follow the guidelines will be removed and will not be saved.
 

Can we add our own lights to the tree?

No – due to safety and power regulations, additional lights cannot be added to the trees and will be removed.  
 

My group would like to participate but cannot afford a tree. What are my options?

Groups are allowed to find sponsors/donors to underwrite the cost of their tree. The signs in front of trees have space to include the name of the group that decorated the tree as well as the group/company/individual who donated the tree as a way to give recognition to tree sponsors/donors.
 

Am I allowed to purchase a corporate tree?

Yes, corporate trees (around Roosevelt Fountain) are available for anyone to purchase. The trees are larger, each order receives 30 admission and 10 parking passes, and the signs displayed in front of trees are larger and can include company logos.
 

What happens to our ornaments?

Groups are allowed to come back to retrieve remaining ornaments from their tree anytime from January 1 through January 11, 2025. On January 12, staff and volunteers will begin removing any remaining ornaments from the trees. These ornaments will not be saved for your group. Please do not use valuable or sentimental items as ornaments – Brookfield Zoo Chicago is not responsible for ornaments/decorations that are missing or stolen.
 

My group cannot attend on November 9 or 10. Can we still participate? 

Please email us to see if accommodations can be arranged.  
 

What if it snows or rains during Tree Trim weekend?

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is open rain or shine or snow! The main pathways of the park will be cleared of snow and trees will still be accessible. Please dress appropriately for the weather, including proper shoes/boots.
 

Additional Questions?

For questions on Tree Trim tickets, parking, or entry please contact our Admissions team at Admissions@BrookfieldZoo.org or at 708-688-8809.
For Tree Trim patch questions, please contact our Retail team at 708-688-8638. 
For tree location, signs, or event day questions email our Marketing team at Tree.Trim@BrookfieldZoo.org