Denver Zoo's 25th Annual Event Is Bigger and Better Than Ever

/EINPresswire.com/ -- DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - December 03, 2015) - Denver Zoo's 25th annual Zoo Lights celebration is bigger than ever and is all set to kick off tomorrow, December 4. Guests of the event, which has expanded for the first time, will experience a light safari with 70 brilliantly-illuminated acres of lights, featuring more than 150 animated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns, hide in bushes and appear in places where they're least expected. Presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, the holiday tradition will run nightly from December 4, 2015-January 3, 2016, from 5:30-9 p.m. This is the Rocky Mountain Region's largest lighting event.

New to this year's Zoo Lights event is the Electric Jungle, within and around the Zoo's Primate Panorama exhibit. Just before guests enter, they will discover flamingo sculptures in the Flamingo Pond lit by vibrant pink, orange and yellow lights. Once inside, they will find all primate sculptures in one place, such as a giant gorilla and a monkey swinging throughout the plaza. Also new this year, across the park and near the polar bear habitat, new projectors will create a vivid replica of the Northern Lights.

This event promises a time like no other in Colorado. Festivities will include chances to meet Santa Claus, live animal demonstrations, carolers, instrumental groups, ice carvers, delicious holiday treats at warming stations throughout the Zoo and the ever-popular Zoo Year's Eve party.

Admission to Zoo Lights, without a discount, is $13 for adults (12-64), $9 for children (3-11), $11 for senior citizens (65+) and children 2 and under are admitted free. Members get a $2 discount on all tickets. Denver Zoo is also offering an online discount to help guests avoid long lines. For more information on Zoo Lights, please call Denver Zoo at 720-337-1612 or visit www.denverzoo.org.

Zoo Lights Special Events lineup:

• BUNK WITH THE BEASTS Nov. 21, DEC. 16 & 31

Our regular Bunk with the Beasts program lights up with holiday cheer. Get a sneak peek as a family at the "Wild Lights, Wild Winter" Family Bunk on November 21. Enjoy the snacks with St. Nick at our "Desserts with Santa" Family Bunk on December 16 and ring in the new year at the "Zoo Year's Eve Kids-Only" Bunk on December 31. Explore how wild animals adapt to winter habitats, enjoy Zoo Lights, and then, just like our animal residents, sleep overnight at the zoo! Sign up at http://www.denverzoo.org or contact Denver Zoo at bunkwiththebeasts@denverzoo.org or 720-337-1494.

• BIRTHDAY PARTIES DEC. 4-JAN. 3

Schedule your birthday party at Zoo Lights! Parties include a birthday party room, a private, interactive animal show and Zoo Lights admission for each guest. Sign up at http://www.denverzoo.org or contact Denver Zoo at birthday@denverzoo.org or 720-337-1625.

• ZOO YEAR'S EVE DEC. 31

On the brink of a New Year, children also can experience the fun of Zoo Year's Eve, a wild New Year's Eve party that begins at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 with entertainment, activities and crafts that leads up to an early 9 p.m. countdown to the New Year!

• MEMBERSHIP OFFER THROUGH DEC. 15

Anyone who purchases a new or gift Denver Zoo membership before December 15 will receive two complimentary passes to Zoo Lights. To purchase a membership or for more information, call 720-337-1478, email memberservices@denverzoo.org or visit www.denverzoo.org and click on Membership. If your membership is not due for renewal, you can still take advantage of this offer. When you renew early, your membership will be extended one year from its current expiration date, when you renew at your current level.

Zoo Lights is the largest lighting event in the Rocky Mountain Region and the largest annual event hosted by Denver Zoo. It takes two contracted staff members of the Denver Zoo staff three months to set up the displays and almost the same amount of time and manpower to dismantle the 70 acres of lights.

About Denver Zoo: Denver Zoo brings education alive, providing a unique learning experience that sparks an interest in the natural world for visitors and program participants alike. Home to 4,300 animals representing more than 600 species, the Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which assures the highest standards of animal care.

Denver Zoo serves two million visitors each year and 350,000 of those guests are provided free access. Denver Zoo's Scholarship fund has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to schools and families in the past five years. SCFD funding is critical to supporting and expanding these programs, as well supporting the care of 4,300 animals, many of which are endangered or threatened.

Contact:
Sean Andersen-Vie
(720) 337-1418
Scott Camp
(720) 337-1604