TOLEDO — The Toledo Zoo has announced the highly anticipated opening of Lights Before Christmas presented by KeyBank on Friday.
The six-week-long event features over 1 million lights, 200+ illuminated animal images, dancing lights sponsored by Fiber Frame, our ice slide, and photo ops with Santa in the newly redesigned Winter Village.
For 38 years, the Lights Before Christmas presented by KeyBank has been a staple holiday tradition in Northwest Ohio. In 2022, the Toledo Zoo was voted second for USA TODAY 10 Best Zoo Lights. The Toledo Zoo is honored to be nominated yet again for the 10 Best Lights and urges the community to vote at 10best.com.
Visits with Santa will also be located in the Winter Village from 4-8 p.m. daily through Dec. 23.
“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.”
2023 Toledo Zoo Lights Before Christmas will continue until Dec. 31. During this season the zoo is not open during the daytime and is only open for Lights, starting at 3 p.m.
Monday through Thursday, the zoo closes at 9 p.m.. and Friday through Sunday, the zoo closes at 10 p.m.
To control crowds, visitors must make reservations online ahead of time. This includes both members and those purchasing tickets. Go to https://connect.toledozoo.org/lbc to make a reservation.
Adult admission is $29; children (2-11) and seniors (60+) is $26.
Children under 2 are admitted free.
Timed admission tickets are required for guaranteed admission.
