MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – It’s time to light up theanimal kingdom for the holidays! The Memphis Zoo’s annual holiday celebration,Zoo Lights, begins Friday night.
Zoo Lights opens Friday at 5:30 p.m. following a brief ceremony oflighting the Christmas tree at the entrance at 5:25 p.m. with Santa.
The holiday display is rated one of the top holiday zoo exhibitsin the country, according to USA Today.
Lights are displayed throughout the 70+ acres of the zoo property.It takes nearly one million LED lights to complete it. The display is somassive, zoo workers start to put it up in September.
“It has become, for a lot of families, this has become anannual tradition and with it being here at the Memphis Zoo, in the heart ofMemphis, if you haven’t made it an annual tradition, it’s a great one toadd,” said Nick Harmeier, Memphis Zoo Chief Marketing Officer.
In addition to the lights, for an additional cost, there are camelrides, ice skating, a Ferris wheel, and glass maze.
Harmeier says there are two major changes to this year’s event: theaddition of even more light displays and stations spread throughout the zoo.Visitors can warm up with hot cocoa and smores around fire pits. Adults canalso “warm” up with holiday spirits in the Cat House Cafe.
Zoo Lights is open select nights starting at 5:30 p.m. from Fridayuntil December 30th. It is open rain or shine. Tickets are $8 for members and$10 for the public. Parking is free during Zoo Lights.