By: Stephanie Horvath
Zoo Lights are one of the latest trends this holiday season. If you’ve never been to one, they are a combination of your favorite zoo animals, Christmas lights, and laser shows. Many zoos have photo opportunities with animals, Santa, and his elves, so make this holiday one to remember with a visit to Zoo Lights.
Brookfield Zoo – Brookfield, Illinois
At Brookfield Zoo’s 8 Days of Holiday Magic you can experience the Holidays like you haven’t before. Take a photo with Santa, ride the Carousel, watch live professional ice sculpting, enjoy the lights, and the laser light show. Brookfield is also hosting caroling sessions with various animals every hour. Once you witness all this holiday cheer you should come back for their Zoo Year’s Eve Party on December 31, to bring in the new year with all your favorite furry friends.
National Zoo – Washington D.C.
Build a Gin-grrr- Bread house for Sumatran tiger cubs this holiday season, and enter to win a chance at the Grand Prize, a keeper-led tour of the Great Cats for up to 10 guests. Go snow tubing on lion/tiger hill, watch a Giant Panda dance in a giant snow globe during the nightly Panda Claws performance, or visit the Zoo-Magination Station to discover a new world of fun adventures.
Oregon Zoo – Portland, Oregon
Now through January 5th, go see all your favorite animals light up at ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo. At this ZooLight event you can see your favorite zoo animals and view the naturally nocturnal animals at their best. This ZooLight experience is one like no other.
Lowrey Park Zoo – Tampa, Florida
Come see the enchanted Castle Light show as soon as you enter Tampa Lowry Park Zoo and while you’re there make sure you check out all the free rides they have in store for you. It’s one of the few places you will be able to see “Florida Flurries” and the only place you want to visit Santa’s reindeer and take your own personal photo with the man himself.
ZooEngland – Boston, Massachusetts
Enjoy ZooLights in their winter wonderland of sparkling lights, then walk through Yukon Creek and visit reindeer, the arctic fox and bald eagles. Santa is making a special visit to this location on Dec. 23 so make sure you visit him and his his furry little friends.
Miami Zoo – Miami, Florida
Gifts are not just for humans. You can watch these furry animals open their holiday gifts at the Miami Zoo. See your favorite animal open their gift by checking to see when they are to receive their scheduled presents on the sites calendar.
Oakland Zoo – Oakland, California
See the night become illuminated by the hundreds of thousands of lights at the Oakland Zoo. Open 7 days a week till January 5, exhibiting their candy cane themed rides, Outback Express train, and abundance of Christmas trees. Watch the light show in the meadows and then hop on the Oakland Zoo ride for a night train trip around the zoo.
