The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will once again be transformed into a “Wild Wonderland” for the 34th annual PNC Festival of Lights! In addition to admiring the beauty of 2.5 million LED lights, visitors can watch a Madcap black-light puppet show, ride the BB&T Toyland Express, search for fairies in Fairyland, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, or snack at one of two S’mores-n-More stands. PNC Festival of Lights opens nightly November 19 and goes through January 1, 2017 from 5 – 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. NEW: Santa will be available for visits starting at 4 p.m., an hour before the rest of the festivities begin.
Enjoy an enhanced Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake with new lights, colors, 25-ft tree, floating spheres and synchronized music! Meet the Royal Sisters in the Frozen Wonderland themed area and be sure to peek through the windows in Gingerbread Village to find the mouse hiding in each of the gingerbread houses.
Photo opportunities! Children can visit Santa (starting at 4 p.m.) through December 23rd, when he flies back to the North Pole, and costumed characters are always strolling through the park, ready for pictures and fun with guests of all ages. The breathtaking, 35-foot-tall tree blanketed with more than 20,000 LED lights in the Zoo’s Historic Vine Street Village makes a great family photo backdrop.
Event HighLIGHTs
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- *NEW* Light Wall – Classical Holiday Movie Clips, outside 4D theater
- *NEW* Lifesize Animal Chinese Lanterns located throughout the Zoo
- Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake
- Winter Wonders Show by Madcap, 6:30p,7:30p, 8:30p (additional 9:30p show on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Meet one of the Royal Sisters in Frozen Wonderland
- Listen to Lachey’s Holiday Quartet
- Find the mouse in each Gingerbread House
- Get your photo with Santa at the North Pole Village
- See Santa’s Reindeer
- Ride the BB&T Toyland Express Train Ride
- Find the hidden fairies in Fairyland
- Hear a story from Mrs. Claus
- Write Santa a letter at the Holiday Post Office
- Roast Smore’s at the Smore’s Stations
- Enjoy fresh roasted nuts and other holiday treats
- See animals inside 12 indoor heated buildings
- Beginning in early December 2017, Wings of the World will close for renovations.
Enjoy delightful seasonal fare such as fresh-baked cookies, caramel apples, funnel cakes, hot pretzels and roasted nuts. Or, choose to warm up with a mug of Starbucks coffee, a glass of hot apple cider or some hot chocolate. Be sure to also visit the popular S’mores-N-More Stations where guests can purchase a S’more kit and roast marshmallows over an open fire. As always, the Zoo’s gift shops, including the Zoo Shop at the Historic Vine Street Village and the Handcrafted Gift Shop Presented by the Zoosters, located in the P & G Discovery Forest, will be open for shopping. Stop in, take a look around, and pick up some memorable and unique gifts—there is something for everyone!
Back by popular demand, the Zoo will be hosting Happy Zoo Year, powered by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers, on Saturday, December 31, from 5-10 p.m. and kids of all ages are invited! Come out and meet Father Time and Baby Zoo Year during a one-of-a-kind meet and greet. Enjoy an EARLY Zoo Year Countdown starting at 8:55 p.m. and top off the night with party favors and Rozzi’s fireworks.
Half-Priced coupons for select nights are available at participating Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Skyline Chili locations. Coupons are valid November 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30 & December 5, 6 & 7. Discount tickets are also available online at cincinnatizoo.org and at any area Kroger, good for $2 off adult and $1 off child admission any night of the event.
Celebrate 34 years of family fun and tradition at the Cincinnati Zoo’s PNC Festival of Lights. The Zoo opens daily at 10 a.m. The PNC Festival of Lights festivities are from 5 – 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 – 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from November 19 – January 1, 2017, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
follow #PNCFestivalOfLights
Share your PNC Festival of Lights pictures on social media using #cincyzoopic for a chance to be featured in future Zoo marketing material!
PNC Festival of Lights Scavenger Hunt
Looking for another fun way to enjoy #PNCFestivalofLights? Test your knowledge during the new scavenger hunt. Make your way through the Zoo to solve these festive riddles and heat things up with a little friendly competition! Share your scavenger hunt pictures on social media using #cincyzoopic for a chance to be featured in future Zoo marketing material.