CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It may be Oct. 1, but I bet some of you are already thinking about Christmas!
And Christmastime in Chicago is not complete without a visit to Lincoln Park ZooLights, that illuminate the zoo with dazzling lights and dynamic displays.
The cherished Chicago holiday tradition, Lincoln Park Zoo’s 26th annual ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ returns in November. But this year will be a little different due to the COVID-19. Due to financial challenges caused by the pandemic, the zoo has made the difficult decision, after more than 20 years, to return to ZooLights being a ticketed event.
“Despite the loss of revenue this year brought on by the pandemic, we couldn’t fathom a Chicago winter without the joy of ZooLights,” said Zoo Director Megan Ross, Ph.D. “The pandemic has left us financially vulnerable. We are so grateful to our sponsors, ComEd and Invesco QQQ, for helping cover the cost of producing ZooLights, but unfortunately we are not in a position to staff and operate the extended hours with the limited capacity of visitors required based on state guidelines without some public investment. We are charging a nominal admission in order to help us break even and still bring this beloved holiday tradition to the zoo.
“The zoo values being free to all when we can, and we understand many Chicagoans are facing financial difficulties as well. As such, five nights of ZooLights will remain free for the public to attend.”
But don't worry too much. Guests can still enjoy a twinkling winter wonderland complete with festive activities, such as socially-distant visits with Santa, a holiday pop-up bar, an Enchanted Forest, Light Maze, sweet treats of all kinds, and much more.
Tickets go on sale Thursday to the general public, beginning at 10 a.m. via Eventbrite. Tickets are $5 per person, including infants and children. In addition, zoo members will have two free member-only nights on Nov. 20 and Dec. 1.
There will also be free nights for non-zoo members. ZooLights will be free on Nov. 24, and Dec. 9, 17, 21 and 29. Reservations to attend these free nights are required. Reservations will be released the Sunday prior to the event date at 4 p.m. via EventBrite.
In addition, ZooLights add-on experience tickets are on sale via Eventbrite, including the Light Maze, which takes guests on an enlightening journey for $3; an Enchanted Forest at the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo, which features a whimsical atmosphere, made complete by music, smoke machines, twinkle lights, and mirrors for $3; and Snowy’s Spirits & S’more, an over-the-top holiday-themed pop up bar, where guests can sip on festive cocktails and hot drinks, as well as devour sweet treats of all kinds. Entry is $3.
Guests who visit any of the above experiences during ZooLights will receive special 3D Holospex Glasses at each experience to enhance their viewing of the lights.
In addition to ZooLights, Lincoln Park Zoo will also host an Adults Night Out: Holidaze! on Dec. 10 and Chris White Trio Tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Dec. 13. A full schedule of holiday happenings is available at lpzoo.org/events. All holiday happenings will have limited reservations or tickets available in accordance with city and state guidelines.
ZooLights runs from 4 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 21-23, 25, 27-30, Dec. 2-8, 11-16, 18-20, 22-23, 26-28, 30-31, and Jan. 1-3.