ZooLights are a beautiful Christmas light display that the Oregon Zoo puts on every year. The zoo is covered in this light display starting on November 21st and ending on January 5th with the exception of November 22nd, 27th, and 28th and December 24th and 25th. The ZooLights were also cancelled today, November 30th, due to the unfortunate death of their youngest elephant Lily.

There are also many attractions at the zoo that can be enjoyed while visiting ZooLights. Such as visiting all the animals. There are more than 1,800 animals that inhabit the zoo and taking time to pay them a visit is a great way to appreciate them. Riding the carousel is a fun and exciting activity for young children to do as well. Taking a train ride through the zoo gives the opportunity to see a small portion of lights not available on the walking path, although about 95% of the lights are only available for viewing on the walk-only path.

ZooLights begins at 5pm and end at 9pm every day they are running. From 5-7pm ZooLights tends to be the busiest and the crowds seem to thin out at around 7:30pm. They are increasingly busy as it gets closer to the holidays and “The least busy nights are weekdays during the first few weeks of ZooLights (November 26, 29, December 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, and 13)” says the Oregon Zoo.

The ZooLights are a fun, family friendly event that are enjoyable for all ages and they are a wonderful way to celebrate this holiday season!