We’ve decked the halls, trees, bushes, everything but the animals with all new eco-friendly LED lights to bring you brightest Wildlights display ever! “Greener” than even last year, central Ohio’s favorite family holiday tradition will celebrate its 21st year with a whole new look. Thanks to the continued support of AEP, we have finished the process we started last year.of converting ALL of our lights in the display.
This year Wildlights will premier our new Holiday Encounter’s Village presented by Bob Evans in which guests can experience the following activities:
- Memories of the Season Display – where we salutes some memorable holiday moments from such great holiday traditions as:
o Nutcracker
o The Christmas Carol
o Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer
o Frosty the Snowman
o The Polar Express
o A Charlie Brown Christmas
o A Christmas Story
o It’s a Wonderful Life
o How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
o Elf
- Santa’s Reindeer Corral – guests can visit 4 of Santa’s reindeer friends who reside right here at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- A Pop Culture Christmas Light Show (thru December 23) - ALL NEW 9 minute Animated musical light show at Holiday Encounters Village shown nightly at 5:15pm, 5:45pm, 6:15pm, 6:45pm, 7:15pm, 7:45pm, 8:15pm, 8:45pm / (additional shows at 9:15pm & 9:45pm Fri. & Sat. only)
- Sounds of the Season - Music of local organizations take the stage at Holiday Encounters Village on select evenings at 7pm
- Photos with Santa (thru December 23) - Make a stop at Santa’s Holiday Home and meet the jolly ol’ elf himself. - 5pm to Close
- Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen (thru December 23) - before leaving Santa’s Holiday Home, decorate a cookie with Mrs. Claus for $1.99 per cookie
- Zoo Year’s Eve Celebration Light Show (Dec 26 thru Jan 2) - Just in time for the new year, this animated musical light show at Animal encounters village replaces “A Pop-Culture Christmas” light show. Just another reason to come back again and again during this festive season. It is shown nightly at 5:15pm, 5:45pm, 6:15pm, 6:45pm, 7:15pm, 7:45pm, 8:15pm, 8:45pm / (additional shows at 9:15pm & 9:45pm Fri. & Sat. only)
Relive the magical lights and sounds of the return of an improved “Rhythms Around the Watering Hole”, last year’s new animated light show around the pond the with a new holiday performance. Show length is approximately 9 minutes. Shown nightly at 5:30pm, 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm / (additional shows at 9:30pm & 10pm Fri. & Sat. only
Next to the pond don’t miss the Zoo’s new fast paced and energetic animal show that debuted this season and that is back with a holiday twist. “Animals on Safari – Holidays at the Camp”, allows visitors to catch a glimpse of the wild holidays are spent with the animals at Jack Hanna’s Base Camp. This 15 minute show is shown Sundays through Thursdays at 7:15pm and on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:15pm and 8:15pm. Please note that every show may differ so repeat visitation is encouraged.
PLEASE NOTE: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is constantly changing to improve the way of life for our animals and to enhance our guests’ experiences. New things are added and old things are updated and refurbished. With that said, we are proud to offer our Animals on Safari – Holidays at the Camp for this Wildlights Season. Not only is this show entertaining for visitors but it also allowed the Columbus Zoo to rescue over 100 cats and dogs from local animal shelters. These animals received a second chance at life and have also become terrific ambassadors for the Zoo. Unfortunately, this will take place in the former location of our Wildlights Ice Rink which will be out of commission for this season. We are sorry for any inconvenience and will continue to look for ways to enhance our guest experience.
Just when you thought that all trees gave off was oxygen… well guess again as the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Disney on Ice bring you the world debut of the Magical Timbernacle Forest Chorus sponsored by Disney on Ice celebrates 100 years of Magic which consist of 29 melodious animatronic arbors who when they come together, create one large “fir”ocious harmonious 12 foot holiday evergreen that is sure to LEAF you in amazement. Several trees will be saluting their favorite Disney Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale. They will be performing in My House of Habitat Hollow and will sing a 2 minute medley every 15 minutes during Wildlights. So be sure to take your little SAPPLINGS and head on up to habitat hollow and see what all the TREE-RIFIC excitement is all about.
Be sure take part in the Magical EverGREEN Seek-n-Find sponsored by Disney on Ice presents 100 years of Magic Help locate the missing members of the Magical Timbernacle Forest Chorus for they went out to look at the lights and have not yet returned. Gather their green tips to win Tree-rific prizes from the Zoo and tickets for Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! When it comes to Nationwide Arena from February 26 thru the 28th. Zoo patrons can get $4 off each ticket not only for Friday’s 7pm Zoo Night Performance but also on performances on February 27 and 28th. Just use the ZOODOI code. This is not valid on Rink side or VIP seats; no double discounts; valid on the above select performances. Don’t miss the fun and the excitement of Zoo night on February 26th. See the special events calendar for more details.
Dive into the holidays at Discovery Reef and observe Scuba Santa demonstrate his diving ability in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s 100,000 gallon saltwater reef. Demonstrations are held Thursday thru Sunday at 7pm.
Any visit to the Zoo is not complete without a ride on our historic 1914 Mangels-Illions Grand Carousel. $1.00 per ride. The hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 4pm to close, and Saturday and Sundays 12pm to Close.
If the weather is a little chilly on the night you visit, be sure to stop inside the following indoor animal viewing areas to get warm and see some of our animals:
NORTH AMERICA
Habitat Hollow and My Barn
ASIA QUEST
The Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center, Sun Bear, Water Monitor, Fluffy the Reticulated Python, Giant Fruit Bats, Golden Mantled Bats, Langurs and Baby Beco’s First Christmas (Viewing Fridays and Saturdays 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
SHORES
Discovery Reef / (Touch pool open nightly Thursdays thru Sundays), Manatee Coast, Reptile Building / (Keeper Lab open nightly Thursday thru Sundays)
VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA AND THE ISLANDS
Koalas and Bob & Evelyn’s Roadhouse Aviary & Nocturnal Building
Even our local celebrity comes home to celebrate the season and Jungle Jack Hanna is no exception! Please join us for Jack Hanna’s Home for the Holidays – Saturday Dec 5, 2009. This one day event starts with “Santa Paws” our animal enrichment activity for our animals from 10am to 3pm and Jack Hanna in Live shows at 6pm and 8pm.
What would the holiday season be without some tasty treats and some fun shopping as well? Wildlights offers a wide variety of great shopping experiences and delicious treats for all ages. For those hard to buy for people on your holiday list, consider purchasing a zoo membership or Zoombezi Bay season pass. Stop by guest relations or click here www.columbuszoo.org for more information.
As we have mentioned before, We have made Wildlights brighter and greener than ever with the generous support of our good friends at AEP, our entire light display was converted to energy-saving light emitting diode (LED) lights.
Did you know?
- Switching to LED lights means the Zoo will use less electricity, reducing our carbon footprint during Wildlights.
- LED holiday lights save 90% of the electricity needed to power the same amount of incandescent lights.
- Before the LED conversion, the lights around the Lake used more than 1,000 amps of power. In 2008, the same area used only 98 amps!
- Because LED bulbs are not made of glass and the wiring is heavier, the lights and strands are nearly indestructible and virtually tangle-free!
- LED lights will burn for 50,000 hours; incandescent lights only last about 2,000 hours.
- Because LED lights burn longer, fewer bulbs will need to be replaced and the Zoo will generate less waste.
- The light generated by LED lights is much more brilliant, so fewer light strands will actually produce more light.
- LED lights do not get hot, so they are safer to use, regardless of how long they are left on.
SAVE with a Wildlights Catered Event!!
The Columbus Zoo has put together the perfect Wildlights celebration for your employees. Bring 15 or more people to Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and get half price admission, a fully-catered meal and FREE parking!
| Admission Options |
Costs |
Dates |
|
| Non-Zoo Members |
$17 |
Thurs. Dec. 17 |
 |
| Fri. Dec. 18 |
| Zoo Members* |
$11 |
Sun. Dec. 20 |
|
| *Zoo member tickets are for a meal only. Members must show membership to receive admission and parking. **Please note, due to capacity issues, we must reserve this program for groups of 15 or more. Extra tickets cannot be purchased the day of the event. Tickets are non-refundable. Picnic pavilions will be shared with other groups. |
Meal Includes:
Hamburger, BBQ chicken breast, mashed potato, buttered corn, holiday cookie, tea, fruit punch and hot coco.