Lincoln Park Zoo Lights
Lincoln Park Zoo, North Clark Street, Chicago, IL, USA
4:30-9:00pm (After Thanksgiving- Through The New Year)
$$$
seasonal-activities
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Extravagant light displays decorate the Lincoln Park Zoo; make a visit here a holiday tradition if you live in Chicago!
Each year, Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo decks every corner of the zoo with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights. Zoo Lights is a Chicago right of passage during the holiday season. Opening just after Thanksgiving (with the first official night of the lights getting turned on special Zoo members-only event- Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the only free zoos in the country, aside from the National Zoo in DC and becoming a member is worth it for the Zoo Lights access and free parking alone!), Zoo lights usually run from the last weekend in November through the New Year.
Dress warmly! Chicago isn’t known for mild winter weather! Be sure to stop by the Zoo’s gift shop to pick up a pair of the free zoo lights glasses. Wear them to look at the lights and have the glow of the light turn into different animal shapes. Seriously amusing for kids and grownups alike! The Zoo has a spectacularly choreographed lights display on the main lawn with a few songs and light dance rotating every 15 minutes or so throughout each evening. There are so many lights, it’s hard to capture them all in a short write-up. Stop for hot cocoa (or mulled wine!) and you can even visit Santa or hop on the famous zoo carousel for a wintertime ride while you’re there. The zoo is stroller-friendly and an easy place to pack your own snack or dinner on the go. Several animals are moved (by their own choosing) inside but when you’re at zoo lights, you’ll still be able to catch glimpses of certain animals.
Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year. It’s a real gift and pride to the City of Chicago. They’re committed to animal welfare and research as well as making things available and accessible to families and people all over. This seasonal event is a must-see and is sure to put anyone in the holiday spirit!