Zoolights 2014 Kaleidoscope of Color

It’s the perfect outing for Family Night, Date Night, or Friends Get-Together Night—and it’s all happening at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Nov. 28-Jan. 4.

Zoolights opens the night after Thanksgiving with dazzling displays of more than half-a-million bright, colorful LEDs. Tickets are now on sale.

Imagine: 

A massive shark swims silently through the sea of darkness, chasing a school of 30 smaller fish across the façade of the South Pacific Aquarium. 

You see only one shark, but here’s a Zoolights secret: there are actually three. They’re done in sequential lights, so Mr. Shark slinks across the sky as he chases his fleeing prey. 

The colorful 60-feet-long-by-10-feet-high shark tableau is the newest member in the Zoolights family of spectacular animal scenes, figurines, created-to-scale landmarks and intricately decorated trees and shrubs. 

And it will be sparking imaginations nightly from Nov. 28 through Jan. 4 during the 27th annual edition of Zoolights. 

Zoolights is presented by Fred Meyer with support from Church’s Chicken.

The Northwest’s favorite holiday tradition is lyrical, it’s whimsical, it’s the perfect fusion of light and imagination in more than half-a-million brilliantly colorful LEDs.

• Marvel at the 100-foot-long, glowing pinkish-purple octopus atop the North Pacific Aquarium.
• Stare in wonder at a replica of Mount Rainier so stunningly real you can see the glaciers running down its flanks.
• Gasp in awe at the splendor of a polar bear family standing on ice floes amid a sparkling blue sea.
• Sit beside the gloriously green-and-purple Flame Tree for a family portrait.
• Watch a sea lion chasing a fish, an eagle swooping out of the sky to catch a salmon, a tiger cub stalking a butterfly, and dozens more scenes spread like precious jewels in a necklace of light around the Zoo grounds.
• And say “Go Hawks” in front of the blue-and-green 12th Fan tree at the edge of the Zoo plaza. A brilliant white 12 tops the tree, which stands in a sea of Seahawks’ colored lights.

And when you’re in the mood to visit some real-life animals, stop into the South Pacific Aquarium to feel the sandpapery hides of white-spotted bamboo sharks and epaulette sharks, or run your fingers across the velvety surface of dinner-plate size stingrays.

Watch the majestic water ballet of 17 massive live sharks in their 240,000-gallon home. And on special nights, Santa and his elf pay a visit, swimming among the sharks to the delight of visitors. 

Over in Kids’ Zone, you can smile at the antics of meerkats, peek into jewel tanks at various small creatures and take a gander at goats. And every evening, a Zoo animal will be waiting to greet you in the Asian Forest Sanctuary Day Room. 

There are camels to ride and carved Zoo animals aboard an antique carousel, standing ready for you to hop aboard. 

“We are delighted to open another edition of Zoolights to visitors from across the Northwest,” Zoo Deputy Director John Houck said. “And we’re particularly excited for visitors to see so many of our threatened and endangered species represented so magnificently in lights. Our new shark scene, for example, reminds us all of the crucial need to be proactive in helping to conserve these amazing animals.” 

So if Zoolights is one of your family holiday traditions, the Zoo welcomes you and yours back for a bigger, brighter edition in 2014. And if you’ve never seen the magic, make a date with family and friends, put it on your calendar and prepare to be amazed. 

It’s absolutely ZOO-TIFUL. Visit www.pdza.org/zoolights for more information.

New this year at Zoolights

SHARK-O-RAMA: A massive shark swims along the side of the South Pacific Aquarium in a stunning, 60-feet-long-by-10-feet-high scene. The big predator is surrounded by a school of 30 small fish. The shark moves through the sea of darkness in sequential lights, chasing its prey as they attempt to flee.

BRIGHTER, MORE COLORFUL SCENES: Cheshire Cat’s grin is dazzling, Mr. Chameleon and his peek-a-boo self are more colorful than ever; the Swinging Siamangs maneuver through a forest scene done in glowing rope lights.

100% ENERGY-EFFICIENT LEDs: In keeping with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s conservation mission, staff  converted every one of the Zoolights to power-saving, planet friendly LEDs. They're not just bright; they're a bright idea.

SHARK TOUCH EXHIBIT: Small touchable sharks have been added to Stingray Cove, which will be open during Zoolights. Visitors can feel the sandpapery surface of the whitespotted bamboo sharks and the velvety bodies of stingrays.

SEE SANTA DIVE: Scuba Santa will swim with the sharks in the South Pacific Aquarium on most Tuesday and Wednesday evenings during  Zoolights. See him on Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 23.

For more information, go to www.pdza.org/zoolights 

Top 5 tips for Zoolights

1. Skip the lines: Get online or go mobile. It’s fast. It’s easy. And if you buy tickets online or with your mobile device, you can quickly scan them at the gate and walk right in, skipping the lines at the ticket windows.
2. Pick up your tickets while shopping: Discounted Zoolights tickets at $7.50 each will be available in just a few days at all Puget Sound area Fred Meyer stores. Ask for them at the customer service counter.
3. Come early/come late: Right at 5 p.m. when the gates open or after 7:30 p.m. are great times to beat the crowds—and snare a primo parking spot.
4. Get a week-light view: Give yourself an after-work treat, relax and soak up the lights on less-crowded weeknights.
5. Giving thanks: Surprise friends and family with Zoolights tickets at Thanksgiving. They’re good through Jan. 4, so you’ll be able to choose a time to enjoy the most beloved holiday light display in the Puget Sound region with those you love. The more, the merrier.