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Between now and December 31st, Toledo Zoo and Aquarium will be coming alive at night rather than during the day. It won’t even open until 3:00 PM. That is because the Toledo Zoo is having its annual Lights Before Christmas event!
A big part of the event, as the name would imply, are the beautiful Christmas lights! There are over a million Christmas lights at the event. And since the event is at night, the lights really sparkle against the night sky.
But the event is not just lights. There are seasonal displays and decorations. There are 200 illuminated animal images. And then there is the Christmas tree.
But this isn’t just any Christmas tree. This is an award-winning Christmas tree. It’s an 85-foot Norway Spruce that is the centerpiece of the event. The tree is covered in LED lights.
Winter Village
But wait – there’s more! There’s also a Winter Village, which you can find on the south side of the Zoo in the Amphitheater. That is where you’ll find an ice slide you can slide down on your own personal innertube!
But that’s not all. The Winter Village is also where you’ll find Santa’s Lodge. Santa will be there until December 23rd for visits!
You can also get s’mores supplies from The Sweet Shop and then roast them at a firepit!
You can also enjoy a drink at Twinkle Tavern there or shop for seasonal merchandise at Enchanted Gifts.
Rides and Activities
There are rides and activities also available at the event. You can purchase a ride bundle if you’d like to enjoy rides, or you can purchase a ride individually.
There is of course the ice slide. But other rides include the carousel and the Holly Jolly Express.
But there are other activities included in the cost of your admission. There’s an Ice Carving demonstration on Thursdays at 6:00 PM in the Main Plaza. The Swanton Area Railroad and Model Club has a display in the Nature’s Neighborhood. And you can visit Reindeer at the Nancy L. & Martin Davidson Barnyard!
Food & Drinks
If you’re hungry or thirsty at the event, you can head to Yuletide Food & Spirits.
Here’s the menu:
Food
- Hot dog
- Buffalo and vegetarian egg rolls
- Loaded mashed potato bowl
- Soup and chili
- Cheese-filled pretzel bites
- Loaded zoo chips
Dessert
- Strawberry cheesecake chimis
- M&M cookie
Drinks
- Hot chocolate
- Loaded hot chocolate
- Can soda
- Hot cider
- Water
- Coffee
Spirits
- Spiked hot chocolate
- Spiked cider
- Eggnog Russian
- Spiked coffee
- Good tidings
- Vodka spritzer
Beer
- Domestic
- Imported
- Seasonal
Wine
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet
Promo Code
Want to attend Toledo Zoo and Aquarium: Lights Before Christmas but want to save money on your ticket? I am sure you’d love a promo code, but personally, I think an automatic discount is far better. That way, there’s no hassle in entering a promo code.