Zoo Lights

This is the time of year when special displays light up town squares, department stores, and homes around the United States.  Not to be left out of the excitement, many zoos also present special light displays.  Here are some of the best:

• The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden‘s PNC Festival of Lights runs from November 27-January 3 from 5-9 p.m.  Now in its 27th year, the festival includes puppets, storytelling, train rides and the Polar Express 4-D Experience.  See this preview of their Wild Lights show:
• Christmas at the Zoo is the Indianapolis Zoo’s popular Christmas light display and program.  From December 4-30, the zoo lights up with special displays and visitors can see Santa’s Village, carolers and choirs, ride the Holiday Train, and see the Holiday Dolphin Show.  Full Christmas at the Zoo festivities are from 5-9 p.m., but the zoo opens at noon so you can come earlier and see the animals before the fun begins.  Admission discounts are given for sharing a hat, scarf, or gloves with the Mitten Tree or for recycling a phone book.
  

  Zoo Lights at Twilight

• The Memphis Zoo presents SunTrust Zoo Lights on select nights from November 20-January 2.  The special event is held from 5:30-9:00 p.m. (Day visitors must exit and re-enter for the experience.)  Zoo Lights is $5 for members and $7 for non-members of the zoo.  Features, in addition to the holiday light displays, include visits with Santa, a snow-filled courtyard, singing trees, live reindeer, and horse-drawn carriage rides (additional fee applies for some items).
  

  Giraffe Zoo Lights

• At the Oakland Zoo, Zoolights 2009 runs from December 4-January 3.  Stop by Santa’s Village, see the Zoolights light show, and take a ride on the Snowball Express as you get in the holiday spirit at the zoo.
• Utah’s Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City started its Zoolights program two years ago with one million lights, and this year it’s even better.  Enjoy entertainment while eating treats or sipping on hot chocolate and viewing the lights, and take a ride on the Conservation Carousel.  Zoolights is from November 28-December 31 this year.  Admission is charged.
  

  Zoo Lights

• Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo in Portland are on display from November 27-January 3.  Lighted animated animals are featured in places where you’d least expect them, but only a few of the zoo’s real animals are on display.  Visitors can come earlier in the day to visit the zoo and stay for the lights, or come in the evening just for the special displays.  See a preview here:
• Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo is always free, and its Zoolights evenings are no exception.  Held from 5-9 p.m. on select evenings between November 27 and January 3, features include visits with Santa, crafts, and a musical light show.  A ride on the Endangered Species Carousel or the LPZOO Holiday Express Train are available for a small fee.
• The Phoenix Zoo’s Zoolights are on display from November 26-January 10, from 6-10 nightly.  This year’s feature is a lighted Komodo dragon to go with the zoo’s new exhibit.  2.5 million lights adorn the zoo, with 500+ light sculptures of animals and nature scenes.  Enjoy the “Music in Motion” dancing tree show, along with wagon, carousel, and camel rides.
• The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. presents ZooLights from 6-8:30 p.m. on select evenings between December4 and January 2.  Light displays, special keeper talks, and live entertainment are featured, as well as energy-saving tips for your home.  See the lights and some of the animals, as parts of the zoo are open during the festival.
  

  Zoo Lights

• In Tacoma, Washington, see Zoolights 2009 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium from November 27-January 3.  Ride on a camel or the antique carousel, and bring your old holiday lights to be recycled, with proceeds going to the zoo’s conservation fund.
• The Denver Zoo’s Zoo Lights will be on display from December 11-January 3, from 5-9 p.m.  With 38 acres of lights, carolers, rhino rides, and visits with Santa, it’s sure to be fun.  Don’t let cold weather keep you away, as indoor exhibits and warming stations are part of the plan.
• Wild Lights are back for the 21st year at the Columbus Zoo, and feature a Christmas Light Show, Santa and reindeer, and more.  From November 20-January 2, regular zoo admission will include a visit to the Wild Lights.
  

  Columbus Zoo Wildlights

• The Saint Louis Zoo’s U.S. Bank Wild Lights are on display select evenings from December 27-January 30.  Featuring choir performances, fireside stories, and of course the light displays, rides and special activities are available for an additional charge.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs has Winter WildLand festivities from December 18-January 3.  Lights and characters abound, and you can make gifts for the animals and help Santa deliver them.

Photo credits: r.j.wagner on flickr; Muffet on flickr; A Little Lam on flickr; land camera land camera on flickr; Michael Lehet on flickr;  minnemom on flickr.