Don’t get us wrong, we love the animals. We really, really do. But each holiday season, there’s so much more to see at Lincoln Park Zoo than just the wildlife alone.
Enter: ZooLights, the Lincoln Park Zoo’s family – and animal– friendly holiday market!
Photo Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo
So What Can You Expect?
Lights, lights, and more lights. With over 2 million lights illuminating almost every square inch of the zoo, it’s truly a spectacular sight to see. That’s not all though, the event is also home to:
- Photos with Santa (through December 23 before he heads back to the North Pole)
- 3D displays
- Warm spiced wine and frosty lager
- Delicious holiday snacks
- Holiday gift shopping
- Live ice-sculpture carving
- Carousel, train, ferris wheel, Light Maze, Undersea Adventure & Polar Journey experiences
- Musical light shows at Winter Wonderlawn
- Candy Cane Lane and more than 100 giant themed displays
- 3D holiday specs while supplies last
- Free crafts for children (only on ZooLights Tuesday–Thursday nights)
What’s New?
Photo Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo
As if ZooLights needed anything else to attract visitors, right? There’s also an ice skating rink, welcoming all ages and providing rental skates for those in need. It’s $5 for admission and $5 for a pair of skates.
When Is It?
ZooLights opens to the public on November 24th at 4:30pm and continues most evenings through January first! To check the schedule in full, head here.
Photo Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo
Price
ZooLights is completely free, though some of the extra features will cost few a few dollars here and there. Still, for a zoo that offers free admission year-round, a few dollars is a small price to pay.
Hours
ZooLights run from 4:30pm to 9pm each day. The zoo itself is open from 10am to 5pm.