Denver Zoo Lights

Such a great way to spend time with friends and families during the holidays. The animals were mostly active but a couple were sleeping already after 7/8 PM.

Definitely recommend getting a Peppermint Spiked Hot Chocolate at the stand when you first walk in to the right. If you don't want the commemorative cup, you can pay half the price for a regular cup of spiked hot chocolate in the grill.

Went with another couple tonight and this was our second time in the last few years. It's definitely a fun, festive event but it was so crowded - even on a Wednesday! I think this is a step above other light displays (ie Botanic Gardens) because in addition to seeing lights, you also get to see animals. However, there was a lot of construction going on/closed off areas. We got to see giraffes and elephants up close which was pretty cool! We probably spent about an hour and a half walking the whole loop. Wish there were a few more animals active and about but it was dark and they were in their enclosures for the night already. Overall fun experience!

This is so well done. Lights everywhere. Lots of places to rest, get a hot (or spiked) drink, and enjoy some of the animals who are inside or like the colder weather. This is a great spot before or after the holidays.

Zoo Lights is always a fantastic holiday event. Bright lights, hot drinks and cozy fireside barrels for smores....

Average walk through time is 1.5hours however we stayed for a good three. Tropical Discovery was open to viewing, we saw Dobby and the gang at Giraffe Meadows, sang lullabies to Ruby the Rhino and paid seasons greetings to the twins on Sheep Mountain. The lights were beautiful with the into to Aurora Borealis display and while not controlled by the zoo keepers (maybe?) Mother Nature gave us a wonderful evening for the walk.

We were originally planning to attend the first Tuesday of member week, but because of a snow storm, we had to reschedule. Doing that was so easy and the representative most accommodating at rescheduling our visit. That was most appreciated.

2022 was a wonderful display and as usual, will be back again next year for the experience!

Second time going. The first time was 4 or more years ago. Here's are some tips:
DO get the family s'mores package $12.99 / 4 servings
DO get the souvenir Zoo cup ($12.99) as refills are discounted to $6.99.....if it's cold you will need it.
The hot spiked chocolate was substantially better than the spiked cider.
You will be outside walking - A LOT
It will inevitably be COLDER at night than during the day - dress appropriately.
DO NOT get their donuts - they don't make them / not even warm/hot.
And finally - yes it it a zoo....but like you and I, when it gets cold and dark the animals (many of which are not native to here) don't want to be on display for you...so you may only see a few BE PREPARED!!!!
This event is NOT for viewing animals. There are several INDOOR animal exhibits open and you will see some animals, but it's NOT like the entire zoo animal population is out there.

We go to this every year, and it is always a fun event to check out with your family and friends. Even when it is cold, it is fun to walk around the zoo with some hot cocoa or spiked hot cocoa and see all the lights on display. Some of the inside exhibits are also open and nice and warm. Not everything is open, so it doesn't feel like an all night event, but a good amount is, and the light are always exciting to see.

The Denver Zoo Lights are fun for any age and exciting. I loved seeing the whole property covered in lights and it was so much fun to walk around and see the animals that were still out too. They had free hot chocolate and we bought snacks from the vendors. Overall a great experience and I would go back. The designs were interactive and the music was fun. I think it's one of the better lights displays in Denver.

It was freezing cold but the grandkids loved it. The lights are very cool. They have music playing everywhere to add to the ambiance. We warmed up with hot chocolate. They have fire barrels where you can roast marshmallows. And plenty of snack stands open. Also beer and spiked or regular cider available. There are a few animal houses open. We saw the elephants, giraffes, a hippo, and the reptile house. Also some cranes and the mountain goat and a lion were outside.

I have always loved the Denver Zoo and all their events, and Zoo Lights is no exception. This visit was on a "members only" night and even with lots of people it didn't feel too crowded. There is plenty of free parking and there wasn't a line to get in so we just walked right in about 5 minutes before our timed entry. The lights were beautiful and there were a few themed areas - like the "under the sea" area with Caribbean music playing. Almost every family had a stroller or wagon but the walkways are wide and we never felt boxed in. There were quite a few snack/drink/light up toy vendors and they even had an area with tall fire pit type hand warming stations (see my picture). Hot chocolate, apple cider and cocktails were widely available and we enjoyed a funnel cake.
A few of the animals were out - including two of the elephants, who were playing in the dark. The giraffe house was open and that's always a favorite. We even watched a hippo playing underwater and some sleeping sea lions.
The train was running but the line for that was longer than we wanted to wait.
It was a fun evening and I look forward to this event every year.

i have not been to The Denver Zoo's Zoolights for many years. I think it has greatly improved! The lights are terrific! Great way to get in tbe Chriatmas spirit!