29th Annual PNC Festival of Lights Open November 25 – January 1

Tis the Season! Just a couple of Ohio and Tri - State Holiday reminders.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is making spirits bright this holiday season with the tri-state’s longest running holiday tradition – the 29th Annual PNC Festival of Lights! In addition to over two-million LED lights strung throughout the Zoo, guests can also enjoy Madcap puppets in black-light, a NEW Wild Lights Show, train rides, rappin’ elves and so much more.

The PNC Festival of Lights opens November 25 and glows through January 1, 2012 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., nightly.


This year, guests will enjoy more lights and more color than ever before as they journey through the Zoo’s themed areas. From Fairy Land where kids can search for the five hidden fairies to Candy Cane Forest, Twinkle Trail and Lemon-drop Lane! Through December 23, children can visit Santa in the North Pole and meet the Rappin’ Elves and other costumed characters as they stroll through the park for special appearances.

Cincinnati Zoo members are invited to kick off PNC Festival of Lights during a special members-only preview event on Wednesday, November 23 from 5 - 9 p.m. This year’s event will feature Ciara Bravo of Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush and Cincinnati’s own Nick Lachey, helping Santa light the tree at 6 p.m. in the Zoo’s Historic Vine Street Village.

As guests enter the Zoo they are welcomed at the entrance by a breath-taking 35-foot-tall tree, blanketed with more than 20,000 LED lights in the Zoo’s Historic Vine Street Village. Just beyond the entrance is Swan Lake, where visitors experience the spectacular sights and sounds of the Wild Lights Show - a 21-foot-tall computer-controlled tree with thousands of LED lights dancing to the beat of NEW holiday songs.

In the Wings of Wonder Theater, watch life size puppets come to life right before your eyes during live performances of Winter Wonders by Madcap Puppet Theatre. Each amazing black-light theater-style show features an array of holiday themes including snowmen, ice skating, and of course dancing marshmallows! Enjoy three shows nightly at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Head on over to the Train Depot and see the sights aboard the North Polar Express or meet the Talking Tigers, “Blizzard” and “Snowflake.” Warm up inside the Special FX 4-D Theater for a showing of Happy Feet™ or Polar Express™ 4-D Experience. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance online. Shows will sell out early!

Visit the Zoo’s cold climate animal residents who are especially active and prefer cooler temperatures. Winter is the lions, polar bears, red pandas, Japanese macaques, sea lions and reindeer’s favorite time of the year! You can lose the scarves and mittens while visiting hundreds of other warm-weather animals inside more than a dozen heated indoor exhibits. Satisfy your sweet tooth with scrumptious seasonal fare such as fresh-baked cookies, caramel apples, funnel cakes, homemade fudge, hot pretzels and roasted nuts. Or warm up with Starbucks coffee, a glass of hot apple cider or hot chocolate. Cross items off of your holiday shopping list at one of the Zoo’s gift shops, including the Zoosters’ Treasure House and the Zoo Shop at the Historic Vine Street Village.

But it doesn’t end there! Guests are invited to ring in the Zoo Year with a bunch of “party animals”. Kids of all ages are invited to Happy Zoo Year as the Zoo holds its very own New Year’s Eve bash on Saturday, December 31 from 5 – 9 p.m. Meet Father Time and Baby Zoo Year during a one-of-a-kind meet and greet. Enjoy an EARLY Zoo Year Countdown at 8:55 p.m., complete with party favors and Rozzi’s fireworks.

Discounts are available! Visit any area United Dairy Farmers (UDF) and receive Half Priced Admission tickets good for Monday – Wednesday, through December 14. Discount tickets are also available at any area Kroger, good for $2 off adult and $1 off child admission any day of the event.

Celebrate 29 years of family and tradition at the Cincinnati Zoo PNC Festival of Lights. The Zoo opens daily at 9 a.m. The PNC Festival of Lights is open 5 – 9 p.m. nightly from November 25 - January 1, 2012, except on Christmas Eve and Day.

http://cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights/

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights

Not food related but with Christmas getting closer this will always put you in the Christmas cheer! 

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens will flip the switch on over 2.5 million dazzling lights and more than 100 lighted displays in the city's longest-standing holiday tradition.
This year's Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Festival of Lights is sure to be even bigger and better than years past thanks to the celebration of their 25th anniversary. The
 incredible light display which lines the paths of the zoo with more than 2.5 million lights and over 100 light displays has wowed Cincinnati audiences for 25 years.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights is one of the best deals when it comes to holiday entertainment in the city. Not only does admission to the Festival of Lights get you in to see the lovely Christmas displays and incredible lights, but you also get to see the majority of the animal exhibits still on display at the zoo as well. Some animals are not visible because of the cold winter weather, but most areas are still hopping with plenty of creatures for your viewing pleasure. Online admission to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights is just $11.00 for adults and $7.00 for children ages 2-12. Seniors get in for $10.

New this year to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights is the Polar Express 4-D Experience. This indoor theater adventure features the Caldecott Medal winning book The Polar Express and promises you'll get to see it snow indoors! This attraction does not cost extra, but you do need to reserve your viewing time in advance so be sure to purchase those specific tickets when you go online to www.cincinnatizoo.org.

Dancing light displays and ice sculptures are also a beautiful part of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights. Visitors can even see the ice sculptures being carved from 7-8 PM each evening during the festival. The kids can visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause and even pet a reindeer. Your sweet tooth will easily be satisfied as well by partaking in traditional holiday treats including hot chocolate, caramel apples, hot apple cider, and fresh baked, warm cookies.
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights is open for the holidays Thursday through Sunday until December 9th from 5:00-9:00 PM. From December 13th through January 1st, the festival is open nightly
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 during the same hours. Keep in mind that the Festival of Lights is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Be sure to really bundle up, though you can get some relief from the cold by visiting the many indoor animal displays at the zoo.

There is no better holiday attraction in the Cincinnati area than the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights. The whole family will love starting the holiday tradition of visiting this attraction. Visit www.cincinnatizoo.org for more information or to order tickets.