25th Lights Before Christmas Kicks Off November 19!
Toledo, Ohio—For 25 years, The Lights Before Christmas has brought families to The Toledo Zoo, giving them a unique opportunity to come together to enjoy a dazzling displays of lights, holiday treats and festive good cheer. On Friday, November 19, the Zoo will kick off a new season of The Lights Before Christmas with the ceremonial lighting of its 85-foot Norway spruce tree, decorated entirely with energy-saving LED lights. Adorned with over 32,000 lights, this spruce boasts more lights than the famous Christmas tree in New York City’s Rockefeller Center! Join The Toledo Zoo for a special kick-off tree lighting ceremony between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. and see the magnificence of The Lights Before Christmas for yourself.
To celebrate the 25th Lights Before Christmas, The Toledo Zoo has planned a number of features to make this year even more special. Crystal bears made from an acrylic material embedded with thousands of pure white led lights commemorate the 2009 birth of baby polar bear Siku. In addition, spheres of light, covered with nearly 20,000 wide angle LED lights, will be found throughout the Zoo. Plus, an all-new display will give visitors the chance to light up trees using amazing Pedal Power bicycles!
Throughout The Lights Before Christmas, visitors will enjoy hot chocolate and other holiday treats, carolers and ice-carving demonstrations on selected evenings, and rides on the Safari Railway and African Animal Carousel, weather permitting. The Toledo Zoo is also your Santa Claus destination, as the jolly old elf will be hearing children’s Christmas wishes in the Zoo’s Indoor Theatre through December 23!
Presented by KeyBank, The Lights Before Christmas is open from November 19 to December 31 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day). Hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (the Zoo closes at 9 p.m.) and Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (the Zoo closes at 10 p.m.). Admission prices are $11 for adults, $8 for children (2-11) and seniors (60+), and free for children under age 2. Toledo Zoo members receive one free visit to The Lights Before Christmas.
The Toledo Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and is located on the Anthony Wayne Trail (US 25), four miles south of downtown Toledo. For more information, please visit www.toledozoo.org or call (419) 385-4040. Lucas County residents are admitted free of charge each Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. ID showing proof of residency is required.
Press Release Contact Name: Cyndi Condit
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Toledo Zoo