TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - No one makes holidays sparkle like your Toledo Zoo, the area's destination for family memories. The fun starts early and lasts all winter long!
With exotic venues and a range of sumptuous catering options, your holiday party at the zoo is tailormade to suit your needs. Add a million-plus twinkling lights, a new outdoor ice rink, carolers and everything else that makes the zoo the area's premiere holiday destination, and you have a party like no other.
The Lights Before Christmas opens at 3 p.m. daily and closes at various times. This year, in addition to more than a million lights and 200 illuminated animal images, plus carolers and ice-carving on selected evenings, the zoo introduces an exciting new outdoor ice rink. Bring your own skates or rent some for a small fee. The giant snowglobe is back, too.
Enjoy a holiday buffet, seasonal entertainment and animal encounter in the zoo's historic African Lodge, which has been transformed into a holiday lodge for the season. Reservations and a separate fee are required for the 6 p.m. delight.
At this fun new activity in Nature's Neighborhood, create customized gift packages for your own cat or dog at home, featuring zoo-baked tasty treats, personalized ornaments and more. Twice a week all December long from 5 - 8:30 p.m.
Wrap up that last-minute shopping. From jewelry and apparel to animal sponsorships, plus the zoo's own homemade fudge and other sweets, the zoo has just what you're looking for. Lucas County residents get free admission with valid proof of residency.
Children ages 11 and 12 will get to find out what it takes to be a zookeeper, by working alongside the zoo's own keepers preparing diets, cleaning enclosures, training behaviors and making enrichment. Enroll for one day, two or all three from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. There is a separate fee, but a Toledo Zoo member discount applies.
All the fun of midnight comes 12 hours early in this family-friendly event. Enjoy ice-carving, cool crafts, ReZOOlutions and, of course, watching the ball rise at noon. The event is free with regular zoo admission and goes from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Dec. 27: Zooper Heroes
Dec. 28: Winter Wild Artist
Dec. 30: Penguins to Polar Bears
Need some kid-free time to shop, or just cure that cabin fever? Drop off your child ages 5-10 years old at the zoo for a winter adventure of exciting exhibit tours, amazing animal visitors, cool crafts and goofy games. There is a separate fee, but Toledo Zoo member discount applies.
