The colorful glow of Washington, D.C.'s beloved Smithsonian's National Zoo holiday tradition is back for 2022!

Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights, powered by Pepco, a part of their annual holiday tradition. A free, ticketed, event, ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. Environmentally friendly LED lights and dozens of glowing animal lanterns transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland!

Admission to ZooLights is free, but a special entry pass separate from a daily Zoo pass will be required. There is a flat-rate parking fee of $30. Daytime parking tickets are not valid for ZooLights parking.

Food and Drink

Families can enjoy special winter treats, including popcorn, kettle corn, holiday cookies, soft pretzels, Ben & Jerry's ice cream smores and seasonal gelato. Hungry visitors can dine indoors at Elevation Burger at the Mane Grill or enjoy ZooLights specials at Bootheel BBQ including brisket chili and jambalaya. Children can stay warm by sipping hot chocolate or spiced cider while adults enjoy holiday beverages, including warm bourbon-spiked cider and a hot cocoa cocktail at Vintage Views, mulled wine and coffee.

Food and drink vendors include:
Elevation Burger
Ben & Jerry's
Dippin Dots
Dolci Gelati
Vintage Views
Sbarro's
Auntie Anne's
Bootheel Bar B Que
Good Humor

Enjoy live music from these performers:

November 25, 2022: Alice Park
November 26, 2022: Joyous Voice Quartet
November 27, 2022: Joyous Voice Quartet
December 2, 2022: Lost & Sound
December 3, 2022: World View
December 4, 2022: American University Jazz Combo
December 9, 2022: Impitched: Wash DC A Cappella
December 10, 2022: Supreme Chord
December 11, 2022: Boyle School of Irish Dance
December 16, 2022: Timber Lane Honors Chorus
December 17, 2022: Wakefield Forest Elementary School
December 18, 2022: Studio Bleu Vocal Groups
December 19, 2022: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Chamber Singers
December 20, 2022: Fantasy Players
December 21, 2022: Singers from Thomas W. Pyle Middle School and Walt Whitman High School
December 26, 2022: Joyous Voice Quartet
December 27, 2022: Joyous Voice Quartet
December 28, 2022: Joyous Voice Quartet
December 29, 2022: Joyous Voice Quartet
December 30, 2022: Joyous Voice Quartet

Date: November 25-December 30, 2022

Time: 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Location:
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute,
3001 Connecticut Avenue NorthWest,
Washington, DC 20008.

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