ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo starts this Friday, Nov. 25

Please see the message below from the National Zoo. Happy Thanksgiving!

Friends of the National Zoo invites you to attend ZooLights, powered by Pepco, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, starting this Friday, Nov. 25, and open weekends Nov. 25-27, Dec. 2-4, and Dec. 9-11 and every night beginning Dec. 16 - Jan. 1 (except Dec. 24, 25, and 31), from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Sparkling brightly in its fifth year, entrance to the event is free!

Enjoy twinkling LED holiday lights, animal sculptures, and musical entertainment from the area's talented youth; as well as access to view the Zoo's animals at night. New this year: Iceless skating, sponsored by GEICO, at the picnic pavillion. Children and families of all ages can enjoy ice skating on the world’s best and most eco-friendly synthetic ice skating surface, composed of specially engineered polymers that permit skate blades to glide as smoothly as on real ice. Admission is $5 for a 30-minute session. Skate rental is available for an additional $2 fee, or bring your own skates for this eco-friendly, 21st-century experience of a lifetime.

After you've finished skating, go for a ride around Great Cats Circle on a new trackless train. And, be sure to step into the Visitor Center auditorium to see the Kids’ Farm-themed model train, featuring an old-fashioned steam engine, Thomas the Train, and animal figurines; and check out the fabulous display of Kids' Farm-themed gingerbread habitat entries, sponsored by Starbucks. The winning entries will be revealed on December 11 at 6 p.m. A few steps away, you can do your holiday shopping at the Asia Trail Store and get your new purchases gift-wrapped for a donation. Seasonal snacks and drinks will available for purchase in the lobby and throughout the event site.

As a special thank you for your continued support of the National Zoo, FONZ is offering our neighbors a complimentary, special edition ZooLights mug on opening night, Friday Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26. To receive your free mug, visit the Asia Trail Store and show your driver's license or District-issued I.D. with a 20008 or 20009 zip code.

We hope you enjoy our expanded event this year - come back often and celebrate the holidays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo! For more information about the event, please visit our website at http://nationalzoo.si.edu.

Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes,
Friends of the National Zoo