Lights Before Christmas now open at Toledo Zoo

The Monroe News
Updated ·2 min read

TOLEDO — Lights Before Christmas will open Friday at the Toledo Zoo. The annual holiday lights display will be open daily through Dec. 31. The Winter Village was redesigned this year.

Scenes from the 2022 Lights Before Christmas display at the Toledo Zoo. This year's display runs daily through Dec. 31.
Scenes from the 2022 Lights Before Christmas display at the Toledo Zoo. This year's display runs daily through Dec. 31.

Lights Before Christmas offers more than one million lights, 200 illuminated animal images, dancing lights, an ice slide, fire pits, reindeer encounters, treats, drinks and photo opportunities with Santa in the newly redesigned Winter Village in the Amphitheater. Santa will be in the village 4-8 p.m. daily through Dec. 23.

Scenes from the 2022 Lights Before Christmas display at the Toledo Zoo. This year's display runs daily through Dec. 31.
Scenes from the 2022 Lights Before Christmas display at the Toledo Zoo. This year's display runs daily through Dec. 31.

Rides and activities, including the carousel and the Holly Jolly Express, will be open. Ice carving will begin at 6 p.m. Thursdays in December. The Swanton Model Train Railroad Club will open at 5 daily, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Polar Paws & Santa Claws 5K run/walk will take place Dec. 10. Noon Year's Eve will begin at noon on Dec. 31.

Scenes from the 2022 Lights Before Christmas display at the Toledo Zoo. This year's display runs daily through Dec. 31.
Scenes from the 2022 Lights Before Christmas display at the Toledo Zoo. This year's display runs daily through Dec. 31.

Lights Before Christmas began 38 years ago. Last year it was ranked second on USA Today’s 10 Best Zoo Lights. It was nominated again this year; to vote, visit 10best.com.

"We are excited to unveil the revitalized Winter Village as part of the Toledo Zoo Lights Before Christmas," said Shayla Moriarty, chief operating officer and executive vice president of the Toledo Zoo. "Our team has worked tirelessly to create the enhanced Winter Village and we hope it will become a cherished holiday tradition for years to come."

Lights Before Christmas will be open through Dec. 31. In the winter, the zoo is only open for lights, starting at 3 p.m.

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Hours are:

3-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; the zoo closes at 9 p.m.

3-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; the zoo closes at 10 p.m.

3-8 p.m. on Thanksgiving and Christmas; the zoo closes at 9

3-9 p.m. Christmas Eve; the zoo closes at 10 p.m.

10 a.m.-9 p.m. New Year’s Eve; the zoo closes at 10 p.m.

Reservations are required for members and non-members. For tickets and reservations, visit toledozoo.org/events/lights.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Lights Before Christmas now open at Toledo Zoo