The Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo has been one of our family holiday traditions since 2013. Every year I’ve shared our experience with you. When we attended the first year I had no idea that it would become such a tradition in our household.
About Zoolights:
Every year the kids ask me, “When are we going to Zoolights again?” Every year we get bundled up, drive up to Portland, and stroll around the zoo and spend a couple of hours looking at the exhibit. We grab a bite to eat, drink lots of cocoa, and finish the evening by riding the 6 minute zoo train.
For Kids:
It amazes me to think that Noah, who is 8, doesn’t even remember a Christmas without seeing the Zoolights. There is over a million and a half twinkling lights around the zoo. We always love seeing some of the animals after dark, like the sea otters, elephants, and bats. Activities for little ones include Santa stopping by on nights prior to December 23rd, and they have a carousal and animal characters around the zoo.
For Adults:
For adults they have also began having more things that make me happy, like tasty food from local food carts, live music, and beer, wine, and warm cocktails available for purchase.
Zoolights at The Oregon Zoo for 2018 run from either 5-8pm or 5-9pm from November 21st – January 5th 2019, except on December 24th and 25th, when it will be closed.
Zoolights are free for zoo members. If you’re not a member tickets can be puchased upon arrival or online. There are also value nights coming up on December 10th-13th, so be sure to check those out!
Do you have any holiday traditions that you didn’t even realize had become a tradition? I’d love to hear them! Comment below or share on my Facebook page!
~Melissa
I was given complimentary entry to visit Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo in exchange for this article. All opinions as always are my own.
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