National Zoo to host its annual ZooLights

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will have its holiday tradition in hosting this year’s ZooLights from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 25 to Dec. 30.

What’s different about this year’s free event is that you will need a special entry pass, separate from a daily zoo pass, the National Zoo said.



There will be a flat-rate parking fee of $30, and daytime parking tickets are not valid for ZooLights.

This event will have live music performances, winter treats and numerous opportunities for people to do their holiday shopping.

According to the National Zoo, attendees will be seeing LED lights and several glowing animal lanterns that “transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland.”

Check out the dates below.

  • Week 1: Friday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 27
  • Week 2: Friday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 4
  • Week 3: Friday, Dec. 9 to Sunday, Dec. 11
  • Week 4 & 5: Friday, Dec. 16 to Friday, Dec. 23
  • Week 6: Monday, Dec. 26 to Friday, Dec. 30

Tadiwos Abedje

Tadi Abedje is a freelance digital writer/editor for WTOP. He was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Northern Virginia. Journalism has been his No. 1 passion since he was a kid and he is blessed to be around people, telling their stories and sharing them with the world.

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