Each year the Smithsonian’s National Zoo kicks off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving with ZooLights, a festive holiday light display throughout the zoo. The light display lines the main path at the zoo, which is about a mile long. Unlike holiday light displays at zoos in other cities, ZooLights is free. As fitting its location, most of the lights are animals that can be found in the National Zoo.
More than half a million lights are used to transform the National Zoo into a magical holiday light show. Along the path, you’ll see decorated trees and lights made into the shape of animals. Some of the animal displays have flashing elements to make it appear that they are moving. Don’t miss the eagle flying across the path or the Komodo dragon looking around for a snack. Another light show with holiday music is projected onto the outside of the Elephant Community Center. In 2019, a dozen new large animal lanterns were added to the light display.
You won’t see many real animals on your visit to ZooLights as they will mostly be asleep. Nocturnal animals, however, can be seen the Small Mammal House and Reptile Discovery Center, which are also good spots to warm up during your visit.
As with all visits to the National Zoo, I recommend walking all the way to the end of of Olmsted Walk, and then slowly walking back up the hill towards the entrance while you check out the lights. Weekends tend to be quite busy, but ZooLights is a great after-work destination with friends. You can purchase hot chocolate, cider, or an adult beverage at the zoo, or plan ahead to bring a thermos or grab a drink from across the street before entering the zoo.
ZooLights is a fun holiday tradition and one of the only local light displays you can visit without a car. The decorations don’t change much from year to year, but it’s on my list of holiday favorites. No Christmas would feel complete without a visit to ZooLights with friends.
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Address
3001 Connecticut Ave NW
Metro Station
- Cleveland Park (RD)
- Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (RD)
Directions
The zoo is halfway between the Cleveland Park and Woodley Park metro stations, but the walk from Woodley Park is uphill. I recommend getting off at the Cleveland Park metro station to walk to the zoo and then returning downhill to the Woodley Park metro station.
Cost
Free
Hours
ZooLights is typically on display from the day after Thanksgiving to New Years Day each year. The zoo does not stay open late for ZooLights on December 24, 25, or 31.
The 2019 dates are November 29, 2019 to January 1, 2020, and the lights are turned on from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Length of Adventure
1 hour
Website
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/zoolights
