An “electrical spectacle” - Lights Before Christmas at Toledo Zoo to open Nov. 22

           It’s a Toledo tradition – the Toledo Zoo’s annual Lights Before Christmas will shine for the season beginning Friday, Nov. 22.
        The celebration begins with the much-anticipated lighting of the award-winning Big Tree, an 85-foot Norway spruce decorated with 35,000 LED lights, which will take place in the Garden area at approximately 6:10 p.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on WTOL 11.
        The five-week long display, presented by KeyBank, features more than one million lights, more than 200 illuminated animal images spread out across the Zoo and much more.
        The 2019 electrical spectacle is sure to be both merry and bright.
        Fan-favorite traditions continuing at Lights this year include the Ice Slide and Winter Village, sponsored by Kroger; visits with Santa in the Arctic Encounter: the Dancing Northern Lights, sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital and Scenes of Wonder 3-D display, sponsored by Comfort Line, Ltd.
        And it would not be Lights without the Zoo’s famous hot chocolate, homemade fudge and baked goods.
        Also returning this year, Santa will be ziplining in toward his Arctic Encounter workshop at 4:30 p.m. daily from Nov 23 through Dec. 23. Gather on the Africa Overlook to see the jolly man in red arrive in high style.
        Additionally, the Arctic Blast, a snowball launcher game is back but relocated to the Broadway Pavilion in the historic Amphitheatre! For $3 each participant receives three blasts from an air launcher to hit a holiday-themed target with snowballs. Height restrictions apply. 
        New this year, will be an interactive LED light display in the historic Amphitheatre. Guests can move or dance on the floor and see their silhouettes in lights on the stage. In addition, a variety of photo opportunities and “chill zone” complete with concessions and fire pits has also been set up on the Amphitheatre floor.
        This is also the first holiday season of the ProMedica Museum of Natural History at the Toledo Zoo. Visitors are invited to stop in, warm up with a seasonal beverage or treat from the Café at the Museum and check out the unique Ohio habitats featured on the first floor.
        Lights Before Christmas will be open Nov. 22-Dec. 31, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
        Admission gates for Lights Before Christmas are open 3-8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Zoo will close one hour after last admission.
        Visitors can save $1 per ticket by ordering online at toledozoo.org/lights.