Sparkling, festive, and magical! It’s all about cool nights and warm lights with ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo this holiday. This festive, award-winning tradition will light up your nights from November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Delight in an enchanting, family-friendly evening at this holiday extravaganza. It will brighten up any seasonal tradition!
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is celebrating nearly 30 years since it first started transforming into an enchanting winter wonderland. This year’s ZOOLIGHTS experience will be bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever, with over one million lights and close to 250 light figures, along with interactive and choreographed light displays. With new installations for 2024, including new light displays such as Lemur Tales and The Festive Forest, your family will enjoy a night to remember, all while you support wildlife conservation.
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (2023)
What to Expect in 2024
Amazing themed areas and activities will bring you even more ZOOLIGHTS fun in 2024!
Do you hear that? It’s the sound of mischievous elves in The Festive Forest setting up for their show! See who you can spot as you make your way to Santa’s Sleigh for an “Elfie Selfie.”
The Merry and Bright Tree Trail, presented by TC Energy, is aglow with colourful ground lighting and a choreographed light display set to a holiday soundtrack that will make you want to dance.
Take a walk through the Aurora Gardens and meet a glowing polar bear, surrounded by the colourful aurora dancing above you.
Stroll across Discovery Bridge and become mesmerized by a unique light show, with vibrant patterns reflecting in the water below.
Swing into the enchanting, leafy lights of the forest and discover the world of Lemur Tales, all while learning more about lemurs in this captivating new light display.
The land is glowing with red, yellow, and green light as you step into Savannah Sparkle. Discover the wonders of Africa, with a glowing drum display and soundtracks that transport you.
Of course, you can still enjoy all the classic activities everyone has come to love at ZOOLIGHTS. Take a spin around the skating rink, walk down the Tunnel of Love, test your arm with axe throwing, and warm up by the firepits. Excel Homes is also sponsoring free carousel rides for ZOOLIGHTS visitors! Be sure to stop by Santa’s cabin to visit with the big man himself, until December 24, 2024.
Visiting ZOOLIGHTS can be a lot for the senses. But you can access a sensory-sensitive experience, where everyone will be able to enjoy the magic of ZOOLIGHTS in a way that works best for them. Sensory-sensitive guests can access a Sensory Bag (free rental) with supplies to help improve their ZOOLIGHTS experience. These bags include headphones, a fidget spinner, and more. The zoo has added more park signage ahead of flashing or moving lights and sounds so that sensory-sensitive guests are not caught off guard.
Special Nights and Events
There are a number of special event nights at ZOOLIGHTS, which are separately ticketed. The Snow Globe Experience is back in 2024, where you can rent a “Snow Globe” and savour an exclusive dining moment under the glow of the zoo’s twinkling lights. Or add a ZOOLIGHTS and Dinner combo and warm up in the Kitamba Café.
On December 31, 2024, celebrate the last night of the year with the best and brightest backdrop in the city – ZOOLIGHTS! Zoo Year’s Eve includes all the fun of ZOOLIGHTS with extra special entertainment, including numerous countdowns – so your little ones don’t have to stay up too late. It’s a festive way to help you ring in the new year in a safe (and “zoonique”!) way while supporting the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s wildlife conservation initiatives.
Travel Alberta/Cakewalk Media (2022)
ZOOLIGHTS comes to life nightly from 5 to 9 pm. It takes approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours to experience all that ZOOLIGHTS has to offer – but you stay for as long as you like. Tickets prices vary and are available at the gate, but you can SAVE time and money by purchasing in advance online! You can also purchase a Sunlight to ZOOLIGHTS combo pass so you can visit the Zoo during the afternoon and enjoy the magic of ZOOLIGHTS at night.
It’s all the family fun we love during the holidays: sparkling lights, a visit with Santa, playing in the snow, and hot chocolate by the fire! Whether you are creating a new holiday tradition or continuing a favourite one, your whole family will love the festive spectacle of ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
Everything that’s magical about Christmas has come together in one place!
ZOOLIGHTS:
When: November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025 (Some exclusions apply, with private or separately ticketed events.)
Time: 5 – 9 pm (no admission after 8:30 pm)
Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.calgaryzoo.com/zoolights
