For 25 years, The Lights Before Christmas has brought families to The Toledo Zoo, giving them a unique opportunity to come together to enjoy a dazzling displays of lights, holiday treats and festive good cheer.

On Friday, Nov. 19 between 6 and 6:30 p.m., the Zoo will kick off a new season of holiday display with the ceremonial lighting of its 85-foot Norway spruce tree, decorated entirely with energy-saving LED lights. Adorned with over 32,000 lights, the spruce boasts more lights than the famous Christmas tree in New York City’s Rockefeller Center.

To mark the 25th Lights Before Christmas, the Zoo has planned a number of features to make this year even more special.

Acrylic crystal bears embedded with thousands of pure white led lights will commemorate the 2009 birth of baby polar bear Siku.

In addition, spheres covered with nearly 20,000 wide-angle LED lights, will sparkle throughout the Zoo. An all-new display will give visitors the chance to light up trees using amazing Pedal Power bicycles.

Throughout the celebration, visitors can enjoy hot chocolate and other holiday treats, carolers and ice-carving demonstrations on selected evenings, and rides on the Safari Railway and African Animal Carousel, weather permitting.

And Santa, the jolly old elf himself, will be hearing children’s Christmas wishes in the Zoo’s Indoor Theatre through Dec. 23.

Presented by KeyBank, The Lights Before Christmas is open from Nov. 19 to Dec. 31 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. (the Zoo closes at 9 p.m.) and Friday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. (the Zoo closes at 10 p.m.).

Admission is $11 for adults, $8 for children (2-11) and seniors (60+), and free for children under age 2. Toledo Zoo members receive one free visit to The Lights Before Christmas.

The Toledo Zoo is located on the Anthony Wayne Trail (US 25), four miles south of downtown Toledo. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Lucas County residents are admitted free of charge each Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. ID showing proof of residency is required.

For more information, visit www.toledozoo.org or call 419-385-4040.

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