ZooLights | National Zoo, Washington DC

ZooLights at the National Zoo in Washington, DC is a holiday event transforming the zoo into a winter wonderland.   Animal silhouettes, musical light displays, and a garden scene light sculpture are featured in more than 500,000 lights!  The event runs November 27 – January 1 from 5 pm – 9pm (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve).  ZooLights is powered by Pepco and is free with no tickets required.  All proceeds from ZooLights concessions and parking sales will benefit the Zoo wildlife conservation programs and initiatives.

Visitors can warm up inside the animal houses and enjoy nocturnal animals.  The Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, Think Tank, and Kids’ Farm will be open every night.

Guests may ride the Conservation Carousel for $3 ride.

Lion/Tiger Hill will have three 150′ long “snow tubing” tracks!  For $3 a ride you can plunge down the snow-less track.

The National Zoo Choo-Choo is a trackless train which will carry guests all around the Kids’ Farm exhibit that features views of the Zoo’s holiday light displays. $3 per ride.

The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC.  The best way to get to the Zoo is to take the Metro. The closest stations are Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and Cleveland Park.  Every Saturday night enjoy a complimentary shuttle ride from the Woodley Park metro station to the Zoo. Read more HERE.