Every winter, the Phoenix Zoo presents an incredible display of colorful Christmas lights for its ZooLights exhibit. It takes five people almost four months to install the millions of lights.
The Phoenix Zoo is the largest private, nonprofit zoo in the country, and the annual ZooLights is the zoo’s largest fundraiser. ZooLights is open from November 21, 2018 to January 13, 2019 from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
In addition to the millions of lights and a 200-foot-long Polar Slide, there are a few new additions to the event this year. You will be able to see reindeer live, visit the rays at Stingray Bay and enjoy the show at the 4-D Theater. Everything is included with admission.
If you’re going to be in Phoenix on vacation, be sure to check out this popular attraction. It is one of the most beautiful Christmas light collections in the greater Phoenix area.
Tips for enjoying ZooLights
Get there early for the season to avoid crowds. ZooLights attracts 300,000 visitors each holiday season, so tours can be crowded. Most people get there when it opens at 5:30 pm. It will be dark by then. To avoid the crowds, arrive around 7:30 pm The least crowded nights are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in early December and the first week of January.
Dress appropriately for ZooLights. Despite receiving the warm rays of the desert sun during the day, Phoenix can get quite cold at night. Dress for winter – bring gloves and wear a sweater under your jacket. You can always remove extra layers. If it rains, ZooLights will be open, but some special activities or exhibits may not be available.
Bring a little necklace of light or glow. Some sections of the zoo are very dark. Flashlights aren’t allowed, but it’s not a bad idea to bring a small flashlight for the little ones, or at least get them a shiny necklace so they can always see them. Kid’s shoes with flashing lights work well too.
Take your time. You will have plenty of time to enjoy ZooLights. Hike the trails, stop for a snack and a drink, and then hike the other side. You will surely see something that you missed the first time. Walking at a leisurely pace, the typical visitor will spend up to two hours at ZooLights.
What to expect
There are nearly four million lights and 700 light sculptures at ZooLights. Of course, there is also Christmas music on the way.
Start on the path to the right when you enter. That will take you to the lake, pictured above, as well as other lights and activities, like camel rides. When you are done with this section, cross over to the Arizona trail where there is a greater concentration of beautiful lights.
Don’t expect to see a lot of live animals. ZooLights is all about Christmas lights. Most of the live animal exhibits are closed and the animals are asleep. However, you can see zebras, flamingos, Komodo dragons, and otters.
It’s fun to see animal sculptures lit up. The stars of the show are the lights, particularly the animals created from the lights. You will see bats hanging from trees, deer, swans, insects, monkeys, butterflies and more illuminated creatures. The spider and its web are particularly impressive.
More to do at ZooLights
Jengo, the talking giraffe, and Tortuga, the talking tortoise in Galapagos, will captivate children. The clockwork giraffe and turtle in ZooLights look so lifelike you’ll do a double take.
However, the Stingray Bay stingrays are real and you can even touch them. Other activities include taking a carousel and taking photos with Santa. The Phoenix Zoo also has one of the best gift shops in Arizona.
If you’re hungry, the zoo’s restaurants and concessions will be open.
Tickets and dates for 2018
ZooLights is open every day from November 21, 2018 to January 13, 2019, from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Tickets for ZooLights can be purchased at the Phoenix Zoo during the day until 4 p.m. Or at ZooLights when the door opens at 5:30 PM. They can also be purchased online for a $ 2 discount.
Ticket for any night: $ 19.95 ($ 23.95 with access to Bugs, Big Bugs)
Ticket value: $ 14.95 ($ 18.95 with access to Bugs, Big Bugs)
Members of the zoo receive a discounted entry. Children under the age of two are free. There is a list of Value Nights on the zoo’s website.
Get to ZooLights
The entrance to the zoo is on Galvin Parkway, in the heart of Papago Park, between McDowell and Van Buren.
For bus transportation, check with Valley Metro Transit Service for the most current routes and schedules. Enter “Phoenix Zoo” as your destination.
455 North Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(602) 286.3800
