October 18, 2023
Page 7
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
Oregon Zoo’s Annual Light Display is Bigger Than Ever
Early Bird
discount available
A Northwest holiday tradition
returns! Zoo Lights, presented by
U.S. Bank, opens Nov. 24, show-
casing dazzling life-size animal
silhouettes, forests of lighted trees
and rides on the light-bedecked
zoo train. Tickets are on sale now
with a 10% early-bird discount on
purchases made before Oct. 18.
Tickets also are on sale for
Brew Lights — a Zoo Lights ex-
perience just for the 21-and-over
crowd, held Nov. 17–18. Guests
can sample a selection of more
than 100 local beers, seltzers and
ciders from more than 50 North-
west vendors while enjoying live
music and strolling among the
millions of lights.
This year’s Zoo Lights marks a
return to the classic walk-through
winter wonderland, a holiday
tradition for more than 30 years
pre-pandemic. In 2020, the zoo
pivoted to a drive-through ver-
sion — the only way it could host
the event under state guidelines
Zoo Lights, presented by U.S. Bank, opens Nov. 24. Tickets are on sale now with a 10% early-bird
discount on purchases made before Oct. 18. Photo courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.
that year — and made do with a
combination of walk-through and
drive-through nights over the fol-
lowing two years.
“We were so glad that we could
keep this community tradition
alive through the pandemic even
if it was a little bit different,”
events director Mickey Webb
said. “It was challenging since the
drive-through route ties up large
sections of our service road net-
work. But we heard that it was a
more comfortable choice for some
folks, and we’ll be making a spe-
cial effort to accommodate people
with different mobility and senso-
ry-processing needs as we return
to our classic holiday path.”
Wheelchairs and electric scoot-
er rentals are available at the zoo
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gift shop, Webb said, and the zoo
has scheduled a special senso-
ry-friendly Zoo Lights for Nov.
20. The event will feature the
same stunning light displays, but
the music will be softer and flash-
ing lights will be adjusted. Calm-
ing rooms also will be available to
accommodate children who need
to take breaks.
Zoo Lights is a special event
and is not included with regular
daytime admission. Members re-
ceive 20% off regularly priced
tickets and may also purchase
tickets for a special Nov. 19 pre-
view before the official Zoo Lights
opening. All guests, including
members must reserve tickets in
advance via the zoo website. As
part of Metro, the Oregon Zoo
helps make greater Portland a
great place to call home. Commit-
ted to conservation, the zoo acts
globally on behalf of species from
pikas to polar bears. Over the past
30 years, it has prevented extinc-
tions, expanded populations, ad-
vanced conservation science and
formed powerful communities to
protect wildlife in the Northwest
and around the world.
Kara
Portland Artist
Upgraded basement rental,
giving her the freedom to
create the art she loves.