A Windy City holiday: Chicago’s 10 essential holiday activities
By Andi Ortiz
7. Lincoln Park ZooLights
The holiday season lends itself to some of the best light displays, all around the world. Chicago takes this very seriously, and is home to some of the most stunning – including the Lincoln Park Zoo. This year, the switch officially turns on the ZooLights on November 24, and Chicagoans are gearing up for the ceremony.
After spending hours watching April the Giraffe online, guests can see light-up giraffes here — well, not actual giraffes. But it’s still pretty cool to see.
The display will run almost every night through early January, and is perfect for friends and families alike. That’s because it’s more than just a lights display. It’s also a full-on festival, complete with a ferris wheel. ZooLights offers pictures with Santa, at least until he has to head home to the North Pole, holiday treats and adventures specifically for kids.
For a more adult night out, the zoo also sets aside an evening to turn ZooLights into BrewLights. On Dec. 7, the place turns into a craft-beer festival, putting local craft, seasonal and international beers on tap throughout the zoo.
ZooLights runs all winter, into the new year, offering up a New Year’s celebration as well. According to Lincoln Park Zoo’s site, they’ll give out complimentary “festive hats” but more confusingly they’ll also distribute “horns.” (It’s a literal zoo, that could mean two things.)
Most importantly, it’s perfect for getting your fill of holiday lights, without running up your own electric bill.