Best Zoo Lights (2021)

During the annual PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo, some four million LED lights illuminate the night. Visitors can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus, watch a Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, drool over a gingerbread village, munch on s'mores or ride the North Polar Express train. 
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo will feature more than a million-holiday lights and some 200 illuminated animal images, as well as an ice slide, photo ops with Santa and an 85-foot Norway spruce tree decorated with 35,000 LED bulbs. 
Photo courtesy of Toledo Zoo

Some 50 acres at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are illuminated with 85 light sculptures during the park's annual Electric Safari. Select animal exhibits remain open during the festivities, and warming fires spread throughout the grounds offer a place to thaw those cold fingers.
Photo courtesy of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo is celebrating its 53rd year of Christmas at the Zoo in 2021. This year’s event will feature more nights and more lights. Visit Santa’s Village to see St. Nick’s sleigh and reindeer or snap a selfie in front of a Christmas tree. The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir will provide a cheerful soundtrack.
Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Zoo

LumiNature presented by JP Morgan Chase & Company features 14 illuminated experiences, like a 21-foot tall snake, hundreds of illuminated penguins, and a 25-foot tree made of flamingo lawn ornaments. Plenty of lights, music and special effects round out the offering.
Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo

While enjoying over a million holiday lights, guests of the Saint Louis Zoo during its annual Wild Lights event enjoy campfire s'mores around warming fire pits, holiday carolers and plenty of holiday cheer. 
Photo courtesy of Micah Usher/Saint Louis Zoo

Nearly a million dazzling lights illuminate Riverbanks Zoo during Lights Before Christmas, one of Columbia's longest running holiday events. Festivities include a Holly Jolly Christmas Parade, nightly visits with Santa, an animated story tree, a Jingle Bell Bonfire and plenty of holiday treats, like s'mores and hot cocoa.
Photo courtesy of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

The Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant will take the form of a drive-thru holiday safari featuring more than a million lights, animal lanterns and an ice palace. 
Photo courtesy of Dallas Zoo

Holiday Lights at the California Living Museum (CALM Zoo) is entering its 19th year in 2021 with three million lights and 250 animated displays, a 200-foot tunnel of light and a 30-foot-tall drive-thru Christmas tree tunnel. 
Photo courtesy of JC Pro Visuals

The Living Desert is celebrating its 29th year of WildLights with more than a million lights decorating its pathways and life-size animal lanterns. Visitors can walk through a tunnel of lights, visit with St. Nick, get up close to Santa's reindeer, ride a carousel and participate in holiday arts and crafts.
Photo courtesy of Living Desert Zoo and Gardens