Toledo Zoo to kick off 39th Lights Before Christmas Nov. 22

        The Toledo Zoo’s 39th Lights Before Christmas presented by KeyBank will kick off  Friday, Nov. 22 and run through New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.
        Zoo light hours are 3-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 3-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The Zoo will close one hour after last admission to allow guests to finish their visit.
        Admission is $32 for adults (12-59) and $29 for kids (2-11) and seniors (60 and up). Children under 2 are admitted free. Zoo members receive unlimited visits throughout the Lights season.
        Reservations are required for all members and non-members. For more information, visit toledozoo.org/lights.
        Lights Before Christmas features more than 1 million lights 200+ illuminated animal images, including some new additions this year. The display was twice voted Best Zoo Lights in the Nation by USA Today’s 10 Best Contest and has been nominated the past several years, including this year. Vote until Dec. 2 at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-zoo-lights-2024/lights-before-christmas-at-toledo-zoo-toledo-ohio/.
        Other Lights Before Christmas highlights include:
        Rides and activities:
        • Santa will be available for photos (daily until Dec. 23) in the newly redesigned Winter Village in the historic Amphitheatre, sponsored by Kroger.
        • Enjoy festive seasonal beverages at Twinkle Tavern, purchase holiday merchandise at Enchanted Gifts and pick up a treat at The Sweet Shoppe. There are also plenty of fire pits to roast a s’more and warm up.
        • The ice slide in the Amphitheatre is back, as well as the Holly Jolly Express Train (open weekends, weather permitting).
         • The Reptile House, Arctic Encounter, Aquarium and the ProMedica Museum of Natural History will be open for visitors to warm up. The Museum will have daily animal demos. This will be the last opportunity to visit the Reptile House for a while, as it will temporarily close for renovations next year.
        • Local and regional performers will stroll the Zoo grounds.
        • Ice carving demos will be offered on Thursday nights in December.
        • The Swanton Area Railroad and Model Club will be set up in Nature’s Neighborhood (5 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).