ZooLights, the Smithsonian National Zoo’s annual winter wonderland, returns to the zoo for its 16th year. In the 2024 season, ZooLights will be held on select nights from November 22 to January 4.
This festive event, sponsored by Pepco, includes light displays distributed throughout the zoo, with lanterns depicting natural habitats such as the ocean, rainforest, grassland, and desert. In all, the experience features a million environmentally friendly LED lights.
In addition to the decorations, guests can expect live musical performances and seasonal food offerings like s’mores, holiday cookies, hot chocolate, and warm apple cider. Adults can even get their cider spiked with bourbon.
Though the zoo is free in the daytime, visitors must purchase $6 tickets to visit ZooLights. All guests over age 2 must have a ticket.
Zoo members can reserve up to six free passes and a parking pass for select Member Nights, on December 5, December 12, and January 2.
ZooLights takes place in the evenings, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays; and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The zoo is open during regular operational hours during the day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets are $6 per person, plus a $30 parking fee per vehicle.
Feature image courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
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