This incredibly complex and wondrous creation of animal-themed scenes and figures has taken place for the last 11 years, and the zoo regularly sees about 120,000 visitors during the five weeks it runs. 

“[Zoolights] was started to increase visitation in the off-season and provide a wonderful holiday event in Calgary for all ages,” says Trish Exton-Parder, the Zoo’s marketing communications co-ordinator.

Zoolights runs every night from November 28 to January 3, 2009 except Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. As darkness falls early during the winter months in our city, visitors can enter the gates beginning at 6 p.m. so even the littlest of children can enjoy the spectacle, or if they prefer, guests can stay on after their daytime zoo visit. The event ends at 9 p.m. every night.

Zoolights is created each year with over two million lights, which make up the 200-plus displays, such as the popular Candy Cane Lane, animatronic swinging monkey and the Tunnel of Love. There are also nine new displays this year, including an animatronic scene with deer dancing in a forest, a jungle scene with animated monkeys and 3-D figures of jaguars, flamingos and trees. 

Zoolights is the largest seasonal light display in Western Canada. In addition to the light displays, there are activities for the young and young-at-heart, including snow bowling and the Wishing Tree where people can write down a wish on a paper ribbon and tie it to the tree. This writer once even witnessed a man propose to his girlfriend on the Wishing Tree (she said yes, of course). 

Hot chocolate and fire pits are available to ward off the chilly air, and choirs also serenade the public every evening. Visitors can even stay for dinner at the Kitamba Café. And returning this year, kids can talk to Santa himself live from the North Pole with the Zoo’s Santa Cam, and even download their chats afterwards! 

Zoolights is put on as a partnership with Enmax, which sponsors the event. Mindful of the high electrical consumption of traditional bulbs, Zoolights made the switch in recent years to LEDs, rope lights and mini-lights to keep down both the environmental impact and the cost. 

A visit to Zoolights will take about an hour-and-a-half to enjoy all the displays and attractions, longer if you have kids who may want to visit the play area. It’s even possible to get a peek of some of the animals who live at the Zoo, especially the nocturnal ones. Admission prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children, and can be purchased at the gate, online or at Calgary Co-Op locations. The Zoo also accepts donations for the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank at the admission gates, and rewards donors with a 2-for-1 Zoo pass to be used in the New Year. 

A special showing of Zoolights takes place on December 31 for the Zoo Year’s Eve celebration. In addition to the regular displays, there will be wandering entertainers and a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. 

This family-friendly event ensures that kids can celebrate the beginning of 2009 early on, and still leave time for the adults to ring in the new year afterwards! Tickets are only sold in advance by calling the Zoo at 403-232-9300. 

Also taking place at the Zoo this December is a brunch with Santa, on December 13. Guests will enjoy a buffet breakfast, an interpretive show and of course, some face-to-face time with Jolly Saint Nick. Tickets are sold in advance.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to visit Zoolights, maybe this year will see the start of a new holiday tradition for you and your family.