Phoenix ZooLights 2012

If you want to hang on to that feel-good holiday spirit, the Phoenix Zoo is still celebrating through January 6, 2013 with its annual ZooLights spectacular. This year ZooLights lights up the zoo with 3.6 million lights and more than 700 glimmering light displays. There’s still time to make ZooLights part of your family holiday traditions and enjoy one of the largest holiday light shows in the country.

On this year’s visit, we were entertained by the competing marching bands from Texas Christian University and Michigan State University who were in town to face off at the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Their spirited performances added to the music heard all throughout the park we strolled taking in the displays.

Most impressive was the new MUSIC IN MOTION show in and around the lake – a dazzling light show that features the music, “Wizards in Winter” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Synchronized to more than 15,000 lights, it utilizes a full range sound system and plays every few minutes. Remember to bring your camera to capture the beautiful water reflections of the floating light tubes, dancing trees surrounding the lake and the 24-foot in diameter sparkling sphere that can be viewed from several locations around the lake.

Sunday through Thursday, it’s $9 for members and $10 for non-members. Fridays and Saturday and “Any Night” tickets are $13 for members and $14 for non-members. Kids 2 years and younger are free. While there’s limited animal viewing, the twinkling lights and more than fun light displays will lead you to other attractions like Jengo the talking giraffe and “real” snow that greets you at The Polar Slide. Enjoy a Stingray Bay encounter or take a ride on the Endangered Species Carousel, a camel and or catch a tour on the wagon rides.