Woodland Park Zoo’s 5th annual WildLights holiday event begins the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, and runs through Jan. 1, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 24-25.
More than 600,000 lights transform indoor and outdoor exhibits. Plus there’s real reindeer, fake snowball fights inside “Snowmazium” (Zoomazium), photos with Santa for an additional fee, traditional carolers, a peacock scavenger hunt, and the Historical Carousel with be open for rides for an additional fee.
The southwest corner of the Rain Forest Food Pavilion will be the Winter Warm Up area and is open every night to guests of all ages. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, including mini donuts, apple fritters, chowder, chili, pizza, hot cider, hot cocoa, coffee, espresso, hot tea, soda and water; plus beer, spiked hot cider, wine and mulled wine for adults 21 and older.
New this year is a special Pokémon Go Night on Nov. 30, where Snowmazium becomes a Pokemon Gym, the Rain Forest Food Pavilion becomes Trainer Headquarters, and lots of Pokemon lures will be dropped around zoo grounds.
And on Dec. 12 it’s Seahawks Night, where you can meet and get a photo with team mascot Blitz and go on a Seahawks Scavenger Hunt.
Santa will be there every Friday, Saturday and Sunday before Christmas, plus Dec. 19 and 23.
Tickets are available in advance online or at zoo gates during regular zoo hours. Night-of-event tickets will be sold at the zoo’s West Entrance, if not sold out. WildLights is rain or shine, no ticket refunds. Adults (age 13+), $9.95; children 3-12, $7.95; toddlers 2 and under are free. Zoo members get $2 off adult tickets purchased through Dec. 9.
Enter through the zoo’s West Entrance on Phinney Avenue North between North 55th and 56th streets. Free parking is available in the Penguin, Otter and Bear parking lots. The Hippo and Flamingo lots will open as needed.
