Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo
- Hannah Dollarhide
- Sep 10, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 26, 2020
Jungle Bells, Beary Christmas, Santa Paws, Hoppy Holidays.
The holidays are just around the corner and you know what that means…Zoolights! Every year from late November to mid-January, the Phoenix Zoo gets decked out in its finest lights to bring some holiday joy to zoogoers. This year, 2019, Zoolights will take place from November 27, 2019 until January 19, 2020 on a nightly basis from 5:30 – 10:30 p.m. (1). This year’s theme is called “Glow Wild” (1). Some of the classic Phoenix Zoolight finds are the millions of Christmas lights throughout the zoo either wrapped around trees or in the shape of various animals (1). One of my personal favorites is the giant rattlesnake shaking its tail. Other fun festivities are the light shows on the pond, live reindeer, polar slide and, of course, Santa (1)!
A new fun treat that has been added this year is the Wildlife Lantern Safari (1). This new feature will have more than 60 glowing creatures. This lantern festival pays homage to its traditional Chinese roots (1). There are life-size, lit up animal sculptures that will be viewed on this illuminating safari (2). Bats in trees, a spider in his web and swining monkeys (2). I’ll be sure to add this to my to-do list this year.
What should you expect to see at Zoolights that you wouldn’t see at a normal zoo day? Well there are nearly four million lights strung throughout the park (2). There are 700 light sculptures scattered around (2). Some nights hold different entertainment besides classic holiday music playing in the background like local artists or choirs (2). Unfortunately, the purpose of Zoolights is to see the lights, so most animals won’t be viewed once night falls. However, there are live reindeer that only are seen during this annual event (2). Be sure to swing by and say hi to Rudolph and Comet, they're my favorite part!
One of my favorite memories from Zoolights is seeing Jengo the Giraffe. He’s a life-size mechanical giraffe that can talk to you and is a real funny character. He is now accompanied by the talking tortoise Tortuga. If you’re looking to rest your feet, popping a squat and watching these two interact with children is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Pricing varies for this event. For members a peak night ticket is $17.95, a value night ticket is $12.95 and the online discount takes $1.00 off per ticket (1). For an average guest, peak night tickets are $19.95, value night tickets are $14.95, but the online discount still takes off $1.00 per ticket (1). To see peak and value night dates click here.
According to Google Maps, the Phoenix Zoo is approximately 3 miles from the ASU Tempe campus, making it a 10-15 minute drive. Parking at the zoo is free, fortunately. If you don’t have a car, an Uber from the ASU bookstore on Orange St to the Phoenix Zoo is approximately $10. These are the two most time efficient and feasible transportation options.
Tips and Tricks
Take your time! An average visitor takes two hours to enjoy Zoolights (2).
Plan around the crowds. Zoolights attracts 300,000 visitors annually. To avoid crowds, arrive an hour or two after the gates first open at 5:30 p.m.. The least crowded nights are in early December and January on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Buying tickets online helps you avoid the admission line as well (2).
Dress warm. Arizona may be a warmer state, but once that sun gets down it gets cold (at least in my thin-blooded opinion). Bring a warm jacket and even gloves and a beanie if you get cold like me (2).
Make it fun! Bring in glow sticks to make bracelets and necklaces. Grab your friends, family or significant other. Go with your sorority sisters. Grab some hot chocolate and take cute pictures. Holiday events are the perfect opportunity to make memories with those you cherish so have fun with it.
Fun Fact: “The Phoenix Zoo is the country’s largest private, nonprofit zoological park, and the annual Zoolights is the zoo’s largest fundraiser” (2).
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