Zoo Lights is one of the city's largest holiday illumination events, and it's spectacular. Each night in December from 5:30-9 p.m. animal sculptures light up—in the trees and bushes and across the zoo's lawns. It's an enormous event, taking zoo staff three months to set up the 60 acres of lights and displays and almost the same amount of time to take them down. In addition to fanciful light sculptures, there are Santa meet-ups, animal demonstration and encounters, carolers and tasty holiday treats at warming stations thorough the zoo. Go Dec. 1-14 when the event is less crowded and value pricing is offered. The zoo also offers Zoo Year's Eve for the whole family on Dec. 31. Note: Zoo Lights isn't included in regular admission.