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Arts and Entertainment

L.A. Zoo Lights Returns With An Even Bigger Holiday Spectacle

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The annual tradition of holiday lights is returning to the L.A. Zoo with even more animal-shaped light sculptures and a new holiday happy hour with booze for grownups. The "L.A. Zoo Lights" holiday show will transform the zoo into an illuminated nighttime spectacle from November 27 to January 3. The show will feature animal-themed LED light sculptures, 3-D animated projections and sparkling light tunnels throughout parts of the zoo. While the real animals sleep, you'll wander through the zoo as mischievous animated monkeys, elephants and LED rhinos take over the night.

In addition to the expanded self-guided 60- to 90-minute walking tours through the light displays, "L.A. Zoo Lights" will also feature lots of special holiday events throughout the season. Visitors will have a chance to see real reindeer, visit with Santa and also sip hot chocolate and eat churros and other holiday goodies. They've also added to the displays at the The LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles) area this year. In addition to a 130-foot illuminated snake, there will also be webs, orbs, and "insects" glowing in ultraviolet light and lighted fountains with animated projections of animals set to music.

This year, the zoo will also feature two "VIP Experiences," including a 21+ Holiday Happy Hour and a family New Year's Eve party. On December 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., grownup visitors will be able to skip the entrance line with an express entry to a private lounge where you can enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and hot and cold specialty cocktails. And on December 31, there will be a special party featuring dinner, champagne for adults, family events, a dance party and bar for adults, and a New Year's Eve countdown.

Admission to "L.A. Zoo Lights" is $13 for adults/seniors and $11 for children ages 2 to 12 on Mondays through Thursdays (except on December 21, 22 and 23 when tickets are the same as weekend prices), and $16 for adults/seniors and $14 for children ages 2 to 12 tickets on Fridays through Sundays. Early bird tickets for the opening week are $10.

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More details and tickets can be found here, including tickets for the Holiday Happy Hour and New Year's Eve party. The L.A. Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Dr. in Los Angeles.

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