The Los Angeles Zoo is back again this holiday season with a brand new “Zoo Lights” experience. If you’ve gone in the past, you would remember that their previous formats featured holiday theming along with Santa Claus and a holiday village. The lights are back but with new theming and this year it’s all about the animals.

L.A. Zoo Lights this season featured a ton of new animal lanterns along with descriptions next to the display in case you wanted to learn about the animal. These visually appealing pieces were reminiscent of the Chinese Lantern Festival which took place a few years back at the Fairplex. Therefore, it’s great to see something more centralized in the L.A. metro area featuring something similar.

With a grand entrance with a giant condor display once you walk past the grand “Los Angeles Zoo” gates; you already know the quality and the type of experience that you would be in store for for the next couple hours or so. The new additions were stunning, especially the peacock/peafowl exhibit which took over the location of the water show last year. Another new addition this year were the “Shimmering Swings”, which were individual circular swings that change color. Though listed as a photo-op; we found this more to be a fun recreational thing to get on instead (200 lbs maximum).

Speaking of photo-ops, there were plenty all over the zoo. Anything here could have been a photo-op assuming you have adequate lighting. However, if you are really looking for a dedicated area for something to create a Christmas card with then here are ones to notice: Rainbow Wings located right after the gift shops, Kaleidoscope located right next to the Sloth exhibit and the photo frames located at Elephant’s circle. Also, don’t tell anyone but there’s a hidden photo-op area inside the little gift shop just prior to the split in the path.

With vendors outside and inside the zoo, snacks, beverages and a restaurant; L.A. Zoo Lights 2022: Animals Aglow is a recommended destination for all ages. A family can literally dine here and then enjoy the beautifully lit paths. One of the best things about L.A. Zoo is the free parking. With so many holiday events and light experiences that charge parking on top of admission; it was great to see a premier event without the hassle of having to fork out extra for parking fees. One of the longer running holiday events; L.A. Zoo runs into the first week of January for those that are too busy during the holiday season.

(Click on Image for Photo-Journal)