Come and experience a holiday light safari with more than 38 brilliantly-illuminated acres of lights, featuring more than 150 animated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns, hide in bushes and appear in places where they’re least expected.
As an organization dedicated to conservation Denver Zoo believes in celebrating the holidays in the most environmentally responsible way possible by making wise conservation choices. The sparkle and glow of holiday lights bring magic and excitement to the season and are an important tradition for families and the community. Denver Zoo’s goal is to honor the holidays and celebrate tradition while having as little impact on the environment as possible.
Zoo Lights is 100% LED By continuing to update our light collection to reflect our mission of conservation, more environmentally friendly LED lights, or light-emitting diodes, have been added and they now compose 100 percent of the Zoo Lights. LEDs use only a fraction of the energy of conventional bulbs and are much better for the environment. LEDs use only about one percent of the power of standard (C7) holiday lights, and about 10 percent of the power in mini-lights. Denver Zoo also keeps all lights on timers. Light timers help insure that holiday lights are only on during event hours and for repairs.
EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
OH, AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE COLD. ZOO LIGHTS HAS WARMING STATIONS AND INDOOR EXHIBITS TO KEEP YOU WARM & TOASTY!
Thaw your paws during Zoo Lights in one of Denver Zoo’s indoor exhibits. Visit our elephants Mimi and Dolly in the pachyderm building, say happy holidays to our baby giraffe Timber in the giraffe house, or get nose to snout with one of Denver Zoo’s animal residents during a live animal demonstration in Pahali Ya Simba from 6– 8 p.m. nightly. While not all our animals are available for viewing during Zoo Lights here is a list of a few you might see: Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos, Big Horn Sheep, Reindeer, Bison, Polar Bears, Sea Lions, Bactrian Camels, Howler Monkeys, Snakes, Fish, Komodo Dragons and Artic Fox.
VISIT SANTA Dates: December 12 - 23
Time: 5- 9 p.m.
Cost: Activities free with Zoo Lights admission.
Naughty and nice children alike can bring their Christmas wish lists right to Santa’s mailbox at the North Pole and visit with the big man himself
WILD ICE
Presented by Arrow
Dates: December 12 - 21
Time: 5- 9 p.m.
Cost: Activities free with Zoo Lights admission.
Visit a special ice carving garden, filled with numerous animal ice carvings created out of 300 pound blocks of ice by Santa's helpers with power tools. Fire dancers will also dazzle visitors with their impressive show of lights.
Entertainment Includes: Ice Carving 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fire Dancing 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
KWANZAA
Dates: December 26 - 28
Time: 5- 9 p.m.
Cost: Activities free with Zoo Lights admission.
Gather with friends, family and the community to celebrate the cultural holiday of Kwanzaa, a tradition that honors African American heritage through African dance, music, and education.
Entertainment Includes: African Story Telling 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
African Dancing and Drumming 7 p.m.
ZOO YEAR'S EVE
Dates: December 31
Time: 5- 9 p.m.
Cost: Activities free with Zoo Lights admission.
On the brink of a brand new year, children can also experience the fun of Zoo Year’s Eve, a wild New Year’s Eve party beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 with entertainment and activities that lead up to an early countdown to New Year at 9 p.m. It’s the perfect night for families to celebrate together without stretching the limit on bedtime!
Entertainment Includes: Magic Show with Magic Rob 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Juggling 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Band 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Early Count Down to the New Year 9 p.m.
Denver Zoo members receive $2 off ZOO LIGHTS general admission prices.
9 News - 9 Cares Colorado Shares - Bring a non-perishable food donation and receive $1 off your Zoo Lights admission.
Denver Zoo Lights Group Discounts
We are pleased that your group is planning a visit to view Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo! A discount on admission is available for groups of 10 or more paid admissions. We encourage groups to pre-purchase their passes in order to receive a lower rate. Non-profit organizations with 10 or more paid admissions receive the lowest rate with proof of non-profit status.
If you are interested in pre-purchasing passes, please complete the Zoo Lights Group Sales Form (59k PDF) and return it at least 12 days prior to your visit date. We will process the number of group passes you have requested and return them to the address you have indicated on the attached form or hold them at Will Call. These passes are non-refundable, but are good from December 12 - January 4. Passes may be used between the hours of 5-9pm. They are great for presents or company incentives.
For further information please feel free to contact Felise Buckheart at 303-376-4873 or fbuckheart@denverzoo.org
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
Denver Zoo would like to extend its gratitude to the following sponsors of the 15th annual "ZOO LIGHTS." It is only through their continued and generous support that Denver Zoo is able to provide such high-quality family experiences.
