Wild Lights

Los Angeles Zoo 50th Anniversary Celebration Zoo Lights

Something about the holiday season has you feeling like going a little wild? There’s an office party for that. There’s also the LA Zoo, celebrating its 50th anniversary with LA Zoo Lights, a colorful walk on the wild side. You’ll be greeted by a luminescent display of a monkey standing atop glittering entrance gates as holiday tunes fill the air. A cluster of glowing pink roses stand bright against a sea of white lights that resemble glittering snow. A live band keeps time with twinkling lights near a small herd of real reindeer and an Irish hot chocolate stand.

The kitsch doesn’t cease as you pass a glowing buffalo display and find yourself suddenly surrounded by glistening disco balls dangling from trees decked in lavender lights. A geyser of colorful water rises nearly twenty feet into the air as part of a splashy show choreographed to Christmas tunes. Wander back through the disco-ball forest and into a field of silver Christmas trees.

BONUS: Tonight (December 8) is Ugly Sweater Night at LA Zoo.

HIKE TIP: Griffith Park’s Old LA Zoo is just 1.5 miles away, and makes an easy day hike and quiet picnic spot prior to checking out the festive night-lights on a wild walk at the LA Zoo.

LA Zoo’s golden anniversary event runs until January 2017. No dogs.

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