Spreading holiday cheer for its 30th year, Lincoln Park’s annual ZooLights has returned with live holiday music, festive attractions and more than three million twinkling lights.
“We’re ready to welcome everyone back this holiday season as Lincoln Park Zoo transforms into a magical winter wonderland in the heart of Chicago,” Lincoln Park Zoo Event Manager Meg Hein wrote in this year’s press release.
Attendees can experience ZooLights from Nov. 15 through Jan. 5. Tickets cost $7 to $10 depending on the day, and free tickets are available on select Mondays.
The event is presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ.
Chicago resident Megan Lee visited the lights with her friends and her friends’ daughter. It’s a tradition for her friends to come as a family, she said. Lee added that her favorite part was seeing the wonder on their daughter’s face at the sight of the lights.
Spread throughout the park, trees glimmer and glisten against the backdrop of the Lincoln Park skyline. The lights feature colorful displays of various zoo animals and Disney characters. One section flashes to the rhythm of upbeat holiday tunes.
The zoo’s attractions include the Endangered Species Carousel and the ferris wheel. Attendees can also journey on the Lionel Train Adventure or transport themselves to an alternate world in the Gorilla Trek VR experience.
Other experiences include live ice sculpting from Arctic Artists and photo opportunities with Santa at the Pepper Family Wildlife Center.
Snowy’s Spirits & S’more, a holiday-themed pop-up bar, is located at Bird’s Eye Bar & Grill. Across the zoo, the aroma of cocoa and popcorn wafts throughout the many hot cocoa and snack stands.
New this year, ZooLights also features the Light Lounge at Foreman Pavilion: a family-friendly lounge with interactive light toys and comfortable seating that glows.
“It’s a comfortable place to sit down and enjoy your time and get a little respite from walking around,” Chicago resident Kenneth Johnson Jr. said. “You can watch the kids move around in a close environment.”
Street performer Nancy Namest is a longtime musician at Lincoln Park Zoo.
With her guitar, assortment of jingle bells and melodious voice, Namest creates a special connection with children through her music.
“It is just the best part of my day (because) the children healed me … when I needed it,” Namest said.
She added that the holiday season can be an emotional time, but she found light during a dark period of her life by sharing her carols and bright spirit with the children at ZooLights.
Now, she said, it has become an integral part of her life.
“It is just such a spiritual connection and the zoo is just such a wonderful place to be,” Namset said.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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