The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is once again in the running to win the best zoo light display in America in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice poll . They took home the No. 1 spot last year for the Festival of Lights.
“We’re thrilled to be nominated again this year,” said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard in a release. “We were voted No. 1 last year, and the event is even better this year! There are three new areas and even more lights!”
The release continues: "Being recognized as the best two years in a row would remind the world that Cincinnati is the place to be during the holiday season."
You can vote for the zoo to win once per day per device until noon on Dec. 2.
The Festival of Lights is back for its 37th year of wintery amazement. Three million LED lights (that’s 284 miles of lights) have transformed the zoo into a dazzling display of color and festive cheer.
New this year is an immersive Northern Lights experience, next to Cat Canyon, and Fiona’s Fairyland, where five fairy hippopotamuses will be hidden for visitors to find.
Ride the Toyland Express train past the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, snack at the two S’mores-n-More stations, meet the “royal sisters” at the Frozen Wonderland, catch a Madcap black light puppet show and snap a pic with Santa, who will start taking visitors an hour before the festival begins.
Whatever you do, make sure to do it with a cup of hot cocoa (spiked or not) in hand.
5-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 4, 2020. Free with zoo admission: $19 adult; $13 child/senior; online discounts available. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
