The 2017 installment of Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo will feature more than 1 million holiday lights and some 200 illuminated animal images, as well as bumper cars, an ice slide, photo ops with Santa and an 85-foot Norway spruce tree decorated with 35,000 LED bulbs. Mom and dad can even grab a spiked beverage from the Beer Garden.
Photo courtesy of Alex Goetz / Toledo Zoo

For 24 nights throughout the holiday season, the Detroit Zoo gets bedecked with holiday cheer during Wild Lights. More than 5 million LED bulbs illuminate trees, buildings and some 230 animal sculptures. Guests can watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D, go ice skating in the Winter Rink or get a photo taken with Santa.
Photo courtesy of Mark Gaskill / Detroit Zoo

While enjoying half a million holiday lights, guests of the Saint Louis Zoo during its annual Wild Lights event enjoy campfire s'mores around warming fire pits, live Christmas carolers and fireside storytellers, meet-and-greets with costumed characters and festive holiday crafts. Some animal exhibits, including Penguin & Puffin Coast, Sea Lion Sound, Polar Bear Point and the Insectarium remain open during the fun.
Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Zoo

Christmas comes to the Arizona desert in the form of ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo, when millions of lights adorn displays and a three-story lighted tree. Guests enjoy a lakeside light show, carousel and camel rides, photos with Santa Claus and even nightly snowfall.
Photo courtesy of Phoenix Zoo

This year's Christmas at the Zoo celebration is set to feature an all-new enchanted Santa's Village where guests can meet the merry man himself, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and see the reindeer in their barn. Several animal residents will stay up for the illuminated celebration at the Indianapolis Zoo, including seals, sea lions, brown bears, red pandas and tigers.
Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Zoo

Nearly 1 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

Guests of the Columbus Zoo during the annual Wildlights celebration can wander along paths illuminated by millions of multicolored LED lights. Animated musical light shows, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, real reindeer and seasonal treats (hot chocolate and candy canes) add to the festive atmosphere. Although many of the animals are asleep, many indoor viewing areas remain open. 
Photo courtesy of Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

During the annual PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo, some 3-million LED lights illuminate the night. Visitors can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus, watch a lights show on Swan Lake, drool over a gingerbread village, munch on s'mores or ride the Toyland Express train. 
Photo courtesy of Cassandre Crawford/Cincinnati 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 warm those cold fingers.
Photo courtesy of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo / Facebook

Guests craving a white Christmas will find snow at the Memphis Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights celebration. While the zoo grounds are adorned with a colorful, twinkling display of thousands of LED lights, guests can pay a visit to real reindeer, say hi to Santa in his workshop, ride camels, go ice skating and even see some animals on exhibit in the aquarium and herpetarium. Visitor favorites include the 200-foot-long tunnel of lights and the 90-foot illuminated ferris wheel.
Photo courtesy of Memphis Zoo