The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington DC is free admission just like all of the other Smithsonian museums. During the holidays you can enjoy ZooLights an annual holiday tradition.
ZooLights is still free admission and includes live musical performances, yummy snacks and more. During ZooLights more than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a Christmas Wonderland.
Know Before You Go
Here are a few things to know before you make the trip to see the ZooLights.
You Won’t See ANY ANIMALS!
Somehow I missed the information that we would see any animals during ZooLights. I guess in my mind the animals are what made it “Zoo”Lights. Instead of seeing animals and Christmas lights you will just see Christmas lights at the zoo.
So make sure your kids are aware of the fact that they won’t be seeing animals. Other than those created with lights. Since we missed this information my son was expecting to see animals while we were there, so we will be going back to the zoo in January to see the animals.
To see the animals arrive earlier in the day and then stay to see the Christmas lights. The zoo opens at 8 am.
Parking is $25
Parking at the zoo is $25 and it fills up fast during busy times. So be prepared to pay for parking and having a hard time finding a spot if it’s busy. We visited ZooLights on Thursday and it wasn’t busy so we were able to find free street parking about a block from the zoo entrance on
Best Time to See the ZooLights
ZooLights started November 23,2018 and will continue until January 1,2019, except for Dec 24,25 and 31. The zoo is open each night from 5pm to 9pm. Weekends at the zoo are the busiest time, so if you can visit during the week the zoo should be less crowded.
Places to Warm Up at the ZooLights
We were lucky enough to go to the ZooLights on a warmer night, but if you need a place to warm up indoors in the Zoo’s Visitor Center, Panda Plaza Gift Shop Mane Grill and Great Cats Gift Shop.
There is a Lot of Walking
If you have been to the National Zoo before you know that the zoo is situated on a hill and that there is a lot of walking. During the ZooLights event a large portion of the zoo is closed so there isn’t as much walking but you will still want to wear good shoes and be prepared for walking up and down a big hill.
Things to Do at ZooLights
There are a number of different activities going on during the ZooLights events at the National Zoo.
See the Lights
This is the most obvious one but I had to say it. The first thing to do at the zoo is see the lights! With over 500,000 lights it’s a magical place to see Christmas Lights.
Visit the Gingerbread Village
Follow the trail of twinkling lights to the Gingerbread Village at Elephant Outpost. This is a perfect
Interactive Light Display
Checkout the interactive light display that responds to music. Enjoy listening to festive music while watching the lights dance on the Great Meadow.
Laser Light Show
Enjoy two different light shows on the outside wall of the Elephant Community Center. Watch the animals come to life to a couple favorite Christmas songs in this fun outdoor laser light show.
We stopped and enjoyed this show one on our way down the zoo path and then again on our way back up to our car.
Zoo Rides ($)
There are two different Zoo rides going on during this event the National Zoo Choo-Choo and the Conservation Carousel. Both of these rides cost $3.50 per person.
The Zoo Rides are located at the bottom of the hill so if you don’t want to go on these rides and it’s easier for your kids to avoid seeing them, turn around before you get to the Carousel.
Reindeer Games Fun Zone ($)
the Lion-Tiger Hill are of the zoo has been turned into a holiday-themed obstacle course filled with several carnival-style rides. There is a fee for the rides and this area of the zoo.