LA Zoo Lights

The L.A. Zoo is staying open after dark every night through January during this light-up holiday tradition, which for 2019 is adding more animal-inspired lights, an even longer tunnel of lights, Chinese lanterns, a voice-activated lighting display and an oversized, illuminated pop-up book.

Though most of the animals will be asleep, you will be able to see reindeer each night and sit for a photo with Santa (on select dates). There’s a charming premise that ties everything together: A group of LED monkeys have comandeered a Christmas tree and the zoo’s power supply. The glowing “Animal Power" cord they’ve draped across the grounds electrifies everything from desert flora laced with lights to a purple, disco ball-filled forest. Standout displays include elephant statues animated with projection mapping, a twinkly light tunnel and “ZOOray for Hollywood,” a festive interpretation of L.A. landmarks. For better or worse, it’s a tasteful, sometimes understated display, but L.A. Zoo Lights has already become an L.A. holiday staple.

Tip: Buy your tickets in advance to avoid the worst of the entry lines. Also, tickets are a typically a few dollars cheaper during the first week of Zoo Lights. And wear comfortable shoes; the lights only cover about a third of the zoo grounds, but you’ll be walking slightly uphill for most of the way.

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