by Noella Noelophile®
(Photograph courtesy of Jamie Pham, and used with permission.)
OK, you may not have had time before Christmas.
But from now till January 3rd, you and your family get a chance to see a nightly Christmas wonderland, with millions of lights, at the Los Angeles Zoo. While this show’s only in its second year, USA Today readers voted it into their Top Ten “Best Zoo LIghts 2015” shows!
L.A. Zoo Lights, established by nonprofit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) as a new tradition in 2014, is a 60- to 90-minute self-guided walking tour. It’s happening from 6 to 10, every evening from now through January 3rd.
(Photograph courtesy of Jamie Pham, and used with permission._
Visitors explore select areas of the zoo while most of the residents are sleeping. Due to the magic of 3d animation, some of the creatures they’ll see include elephants in festive sweaters, “snowboarding” iguanas and an origami-type rhino.
(Photograph courtesy of Jamie Pham, and used with permission.)
This year’s “L.A. Zoo Lights” features its largest expansion around The LAIR (which is an acronym for Living Amphibians, Invertebrates and Reptiles. Guests get welcomed by a giant illuminated snake, atop the building!
(Photograph courtesy of Jamie Pham, and used with permission.)
Besides a re-imagined Santa’s village, the 2015 edition of “L.A. Zoo Lights” also features the aquatic show entitled “Lightscapes: Wild Holiday”, with lighted fountains and animations set to music. And what you hear, in several of the areas, will be highly eclectic–including both selections from Santa Monica’s KCRW and Cirque du Soleil’s KURIOS, currently running at Dodger Stadium through February 7th!
(Photograph courtesy of Jamie Pham, and used with permission.)
And–they’re having a party on New Year’s Eve, to which you and your family are invited! L.A. Zoo Lights’ “Family New Year’s Eve” celebration starts this Thursday, December 31st at 6 pm. This is a special private entry area, with an exclusive buffet and dessert. Champagne will be served for adults, and sparkling cider for the kids. Guests will get to ride the Zoo’s handcrafted carousel. (This is the Conservation Carousel, with endangered creatures like the blue scarab beetle and armadillo represented among the horses. A personal favorite is the snow leopard, but the choice is up to you!)
They’ll also have crafts for youngsters, a DJ dance party and a chance to see the ball drop, live, from New York’s Times Square at 9pm. Then, guests are invited to explore “L.A. Zoo Lights” until their closing time, at 10 pm. Here’s the link for more information and admission prices.
Enjoy Christmastide, and have a very Happy, healthy New Year! May it be bright, breathtaking and spectacular.