– The Smithsonian National Zoo’s ZooLights returns with a dazzling display of more than half-a-million LED lights, offering a vibrant winter wonderland experience.
– For the first time, ZooLights will have a nominal ticket price, with proceeds contributing to the important work in animal care and conservation efforts.
– Visitors can enjoy stunningly themed lanterns, live musical performances, and tasty winter treats, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages.
Welcome to a world where glowing creatures roam, where the melody of the holiday spirit meets the rustle of the winter breeze, and where every step is a dance of lights beneath the stars. As twilight descends upon Washington, D.C., a magical transformation occurs at the Smithsonian National Zoo. This isn’t just any stroll through a park; this is ZooLights, the annual electrifying festival that brings families, friends, and nature lovers together in a luminescent celebration of life and conservation.
For those seeking an evening of enchantment this holiday season, ZooLights is a must-visit destination. Now igniting the hearts of visitors for the fifteenth consecutive year, ZooLights continues to be an event that captures the beauty and spirit of the natural world with an eco-conscious touch: more than half-a-million LEDs, which shimmer with a radiance that’s both energy-efficient and mesmerizing.
Imagine wandering through the zoo, where the silhouettes of trees are now the canvas for a kaleidoscope of colors. With 130 artisan-crafted lanterns, each representing different habitats such as the ocean’s deep, the silent desert, the lush rainforest, the polar extremes, and the expansive grasslands, you’re on a global journey illuminated like a storybook come to life.
Wonderment fills the air with each step, but ZooLights isn’t merely a spectacle for the eyes—it’s a symphony for the ears as well. Live musical performances dot the landscape, with local artists and school groups lending their voices and instruments to the festive ambiance. Laughter mingles with harmonies, creating a soundtrack to an evening spent in joyful revelry under a tapestry of lights.
While the lights might steal the show, the treats to be savored at ZooLights are the hidden gems waiting to delight your palate. From the smoky-sweet aroma of s’mores to the satisfying crunch of popcorn and kettle corn, each bite is a celebration of the season’s flavors. Pair your treats with holiday cookies, soft pretzels, or seasonal gelato for a taste sensation sure to keep the winter chill at bay.
For those feeling the bite of the December air, fret not—there are hearty culinary creations ready to warm your soul. Delicious options like brisket chili, gumbo, and jambalaya await at various outdoor dining venues. And what’s a festive event without a touch of indulgence? Specialty beverages, from hot chocolate and spiced cider for the kids, to spiked warmers like bourbon cider and mulled wine for adults, offer a toast to cherished memories being made.
This year heralds a new chapter in the ZooLights story, one where a modest ticket fee of $6 per individual will contribute to the essential work of animal care and conservation science. In the past, this event was free, a gift to the community that filled the night with joy and wonder. Now, with every ticket purchased, visitors play a direct role in ensuring the health and welfare of Earth’s magnificent creatures, as well as supporting the research vital to their continued survival—embodying the true spirit of giving.
While the outdoor festivities will keep you entertained, do not miss the chance to escape the chill and find that perfect holiday gift at the indoor shopping locations spread throughout the zoo. Each store is a trove of unique presents, from eco-friendly toys to artisanal crafts, supporting both local businesses and the zoo’s global mission.
A special treat awaits the members of the Smithsonian National Zoo: exclusive nights where the joy of ZooLights comes with the bonus of privileged access to some of the zoo’s most popular indoor exhibits. The combination of festive lights and the proximity to nature’s marvels makes these Member Nights an affair to cherish.
ZooLights is not just an event; it’s an immersive experience tailored for any mood or weather. Whether it shines, rains, or a wintry mix falls from the sky, the festival’s sparkle remains undimmed—a testament to the resilient spirit of joy and community that defines the holidays.
Visitors are reminded that while the charm of ZooLights beckons, the peace and rest of the zoo’s daytime residents are respected, with indoor exhibits closing for the animals’ rest. For those eager to witness the wonders of wildlife, daytime hours remain a time to explore and connect with the animal kingdom.
Planning is key to relishing the full splendor of ZooLights, with limited-capacity nights ensuring a comfortable and intimate experience. Advanced ticket purchases and parking reservations are advised to avoid the disappointment of a sold-out evening.
As you contemplate your visit, know that ZooLights isn’t merely a breathtaking display of lights and festivity. It’s a reminder of our connection to the living tapestry of our planet, a celebration of the conservational work that allows us to share our lives with extraordinary creatures, and an opportunity to create new traditions and memories that glow as brightly as the lights adorning the night sky.
In conclusion, ZooLights is more than an event; it’s a glowing beacon of winter’s magic and the collective hope for a brighter future for all earth’s inhabitants. So, wrap up warmly, step into the night, and let your heart be lighted by a spectacular blend of nature’s majesty and holiday cheer.
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Source Description
News release: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/zoolights-returns-nov-24-smithsonians-national-zoo-and-conservation-biology-institute
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Washington, D.C.’s beloved family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, returns to brighten the holiday season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Now in its 15th year, ZooLights is brighter than ever and will run for 23 select nights—from Nov. 24–26, Nov. 30–Dec. 3, Dec. 7–10, Dec. 14–17, Dec. 21–23 and Dec. 26–30. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, ZooLights will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Sundays, ZooLights will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ZooLights is generously brought to you by its lead sponsor, M&T Bank.
Visitors strolling through the Zoo can bask in the glow of more than half-a-million environmentally friendly LED lights. True to the unique setting of the Zoo, visitors will see 130 lanterns depicting ocean, desert, grassland, rainforest and polar habitats, and the animals that call them home. Illuminations, live musical performances, delicious treat offerings and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping make this special event a dazzling and immersive experience for families and nature aficionados.
ZooLights tickets go on sale Thursday, Oct. 26, to Zoo members and non-members. This year, ZooLights will have a ticket price of $6 per individual. Each attendee, including children over the age of 2, will need a ticket. Paid tickets are a change from past years when this special event was free to attend. The ticket fee is needed to offset the significant increase in costs associated with running this event. Parking is available for pre-purchase online at $30 per vehicle. ZooLights is an extremely popular event with Washington-area families. Due to limited capacity, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and purchase tickets and parking passes early. Any proceeds from tickets, concessions and parking sales benefit animal care and conservation science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
On general-admission nights, all indoor animal exhibits will be closed to allow animals to get a full night’s rest. Daytime visitors who would like to view the Zoo’s animals can obtain a free entry pass and/or paid parking pass on the Zoo’s website. Per normal operating hours, the Zoo will close at 4 p.m. to all visitors. It will reopen at 5 p.m. for visitors with ZooLights tickets and parking passes.
Visitors can get further into the holiday spirit with live music performances by local artists and school groups. The Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel is the only paid ticketed attraction open at ZooLights pending weather (it will close if the outside temperature is below 35 degrees Fahrenheit). Visitors may purchase tickets on site at the carousel’s entrance for $4. During this special event, visitors can warm up indoors while shopping for holiday gifts inside the Visitor Center, Panda Plaza and Great Cats stores or while dining at Elevation Burger at the Mane Grill.
Special winter treats, including s’mores, popcorn, kettle corn, holiday cookies, soft pretzels and seasonal gelato, will be available for purchase. Hungry visitors can dine outdoors at Sbarro or enjoy ZooLights specials at Bootheel BBQ, including brisket chili, gumbo and jambalaya. Children can stay warm by sipping hot chocolate or spiced cider while adults enjoy holiday beverages, including a cinnamon vanilla bean latte, warm bourbon-spiked cider, a hot cocoa cocktail at Vintage Views and mulled wine at Elevation Burger.
Smithsonian National Zoo members can reserve up to six free entry passes and one free parking pass for three exclusive Member Nights—Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14—from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Member Nights include special after-hours access to popular Zoo exhibits. During any night of ZooLights, members can use their standard 15% discount on in-park food and retail during any night of ZooLights when they present their membership card and photo ID at checkout. Due to limited capacity, advanced reservations for Member Nights are required.
ZooLights will be held rain or shine. Only guests with a parking pass will be permitted to enter the Zoo’s Connecticut Avenue entrance with their vehicle. Guests using ride-share vehicles will be dropped off and picked up at the designated ride-share zones near the Connecticut Avenue and Harvard Street entrances. Zoo staff will scan tickets at both the Connecticut Avenue entrance and the lower entrance near the Kids’ Farm. Metro Bus (L1 and L2) and Metro Rail (Woodley Park-Zoo and Cleveland Park) have stops within walking distance of the Zoo’s main pedestrian entrance on Connecticut Avenue. For more information, visit the Zoo’s website.
