There’s really no better season.

“We come every year to see the animals and get into the Christmas spirit,” said Debi Johnston of Woodinville, who was at the Cougar Mountain Zoo’s 24th annual Reindeer Festival with her 7-year-old daughter Allyssa, Saturday Dec. 8.

Robyn Barfoot, the general curator and manager of the zoo, said its reindeer herd is the largest of any zoo in the country.

The zoo is normally closed in December she said, but is open Dec. 1-23, and again Dec. 26-30 to put the spotlight on the reindeer during the Christmas season.

Besides the reindeer, which are at the zoo year-round, Santa is the other big attraction.

“Do I have reindeer? Didn’t you see them out there?” Santa said to a little boy who wasn’t aware that the 10th reindeer was named Olive – as in “Olive the other reindeer…”

The requests from kids were varied. Evan Serafin wanted a dinosaur and a slide. Allyssa Johnston, 7, just wanted Polly Pockets.

Christmas music played throughout the zoo, while people mingled about, drinking hot cocoa, and admiring the reindeer.

Reindeer are unique among the hoofed animals. They are specifically adapted to live in the harsh environment of the Arctic tundra. They are the only species of deer where both the males and females have antlers. They are also the only species of deer with a fur covered muzzle.

And they have one of the longest migratory routes among land mammals – not including their big flight every Dec. 24.

In addition to Santa and his reindeer, the festival includes a mailbox to send letters directly to Santa, story telling from an elf, treats to feed Santa’s animal friends, a toy drive, a grand traveling sleigh for photo-ops and hot drinks and snacks.

For more information about the festival, call (425) 392-6278.

Dancer waits patiently for a visitor to share a snack of cut-up apples.

From left, Sam Sharp, Evan Serafin, Nina Serafin, Rollin Serafin (peeking out), Sofie Sharp, and standing in the back, Haley Radar pose with Santa in his workshop.