by Noella Noelophile®
“Oh wow, look at those disco balls!”
“So pretty.”
“That’s cool.”
Those were just three of the reactions we heard, on Thursday evening, as L.A. Zoo Lights offered a preview of their 2019 displays.
2019 marks the sixth Christmas season for the event which USA Today has consistently voted among the top ten “Best Zoo Lights” in the nation.
And just at 6:00 on Thursday, early visitors got a peek at the reasons why.
One of the first things guests see, coming through the gates, is “Holiday Tails: An L.A. Zoo Story”.
This is the “World’s Largest Illuminated Pop-Up Storybook”, created especially for the L.A. Zoo.
Clearly, someone involved in the design process is well familiar with the ways of cats.
New this year were the overhead holly garlands.
Also new? The “Jungle Garden” light display.
For visitors, it was a favorite spot for photo opps!
“Deck the Halls with Disco Balls” is the name of this area.
It’s not a new addition to L.A. Zoo Lights, but all the sparkle never gets old.
And “Blue Forest” looks magical.
For 2019, “The Luminous LAIR” had re-imagined decorations.
And, as before, no way can one post do justice to all L.A. Zoo Lights has to offer.
A don’t-miss, though, is “Splashes of Light”.
Now, very honestly, I’d heard that, during this show, visuals respond to visitors’ voices. The display we saw did not seem to be doing that.
However, with seamlessly-segued music which included a selection from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”, the “Carol of the Bells” and the less-known “Happy Holidays”…
…it was both whimsical and breathtaking (again).
One heads-up: you won’t see the entrance to “Splashes of Light”. To get to it, visitors must go through The LAIR.
We did, and paid a visit to the various reptiles in residence.
Our favorite was the sea turtle,which seemed to enchant this young visitor!
As in past years, “L.A. Zoo Lights” acknowledged the different celebrations of Los Angeles’ diverse communities.
We weren’t going to miss our Christmas tradition: the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel!
Unlike every other venue in the Zoo, the carousel itself was not playing Christmas music. (Though we heard a number of uptempo favorites as we walked around the other areas!)
Another new feature at this year’s “Zoo Lights” were “Rainforest Ribbets”.
Note the dragonflies overhead!
Of course, no one was going to miss the “Twinkle Tunnel”.
As mentioned in our earlier post, this popular “L.A. Zoo Lights” feature has been expanded.
Look for both a rainbow of lights and an opulent gold section with crystals!
My pictures don’t come close to doing justice to these gossamer-like butterflies in the “Wonderland Walkabout” area. Guess you’ll just have to see them.
And if you come tomorrow evening, November 16th, you’ll be just in time for “L.A. Zoo Lights”‘ Grand Opening.
Gates open to the public at 5:30. The Gay Men’s Choir of Los Angeles’ a cappella group “Aftershock” will give a live performance.
The Opening Night program will start at 5:35, featuring L.A. Zoo Ambassador and Entertainment Anchor for Good Day LA and Fox 11 News, Julie Chang. With her will be American Idol finalist and celebrity host, Kim Caldwell and her husband, record-setting LAFC player, Jordan Harvey.
L.A. Zoo Director Denise Verret and Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Director, Tom Jacobson, will be joining them for the program.
And the program will culminate with the lighting of “The World’s Largest Illuminated Pop-Up Storybook”, to welcome Christmas season 2019.
Talk about getting the weekend–and everyone’s celebration–off to a great start.