Even if you’re playing it safe this year due to COVID-19, you can still keep the beloved Dallas Zoo Lights display on your “nice” list of holiday attractions. That’s because the event has been reimagined as a drive-thru display where visitors can enjoy the dazzling spectacle from the comfort and socially distanced safety of their own vehicle.

A New Holiday View of the Zoo

Take a new kind of animal safari as you drive through a mile-long spectacle of more than 1 million sparkling lights and illuminated displays. The 30-minute route takes you along a newly constructed trail through areas of the zoo that haven’t been open to the public for many years, along with more familiar sections of ZooNorth. Tune your radio to the Zoo’s station, 1670 AM for holiday tunes, or just lead your own sing-along as you go.

I Spy

The real animals will all be sleeping for the night, but there will be plenty of glittering animal replicas for guests to view, along with lots of other festive vignettes. Keep your eyes peeled for silk-covered animal lanterns, Santa’s candy cane lane, light-wrapped trees, a trio of cute penguins in an icy winter wonderland, and much more. At the end of the route, you have the option to park and stroll through Reliant Holiday Village (face masks are required) where there are photo ops, snacks and drinks, and holiday glow goodies available for purchase.

Zoo Lights Schedule, Tickets & Admission

Dallas Zoo Lights is open from 6:30 to 9:30 PM on 36 select nights through January 3, 2021.New this year, timed entry tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost is $50 per car for Zoo members, and $65 for non-members. Bring as many people as your vehicle can safely accommodate with seatbelts and car seats. Riding in the bed of a pickup truck is not permitted, and the driving path cannot accommodate extra-large vehicles such as RVs, limousines, monster trucks, etc. There are some other requirements and restrictions, so check the event website carefully before your arrival.

Have a roaring good time at the Zoo this holiday season, and find more wild adventures in the Olympus Las Colinas blog.