Last year we went to Zoo Lights at our local zoo for the first time. It was freezing and very snowy; a memorable trip!
The kids loved it and asked last week if we could go again this year. So, on Monday evening, off we went. Not nearly as cold this year, although chilly enough, it was dry and crisp and a perfect evening for enjoying the lights and sleeping animals.
Obviously, being dark, the photos are a mix of as taken and enhanced a little to see faces :) Some areas were definitely darker than others!
It’s so incredibly pretty, and in some ways it’s quite sad that there was no snow this year as it did lend a particularly Christmassy magic to the event last year. The lights are gorgeous, and even during the day are quite special, as we found when we visited with Little Bear a couple of weeks ago.
But, at night it is really magical. The mix of white and coloured lights, alongside animal shapes and Christmas characters, brings something for everyone to enjoy. And, spotting the (sleeping) animals is a game for everyone. This year the artic foxes, reindeer, lynx and porcupine obliged :)
The Christmas grotto at the end of the trail is a kids dream, although I had forgotten (blocked out?) quite how many dolls and puppets are involved… It was also interesting to see how much more engaged the wee girl was, and how fascinated she was by the lights and characters. That was a joy to watch, even if the puppets weren’t!
I’m linking up with the wonderful Country Kids at Coombe Mill, as always. Click on the badge to see what everyone else has been up to and be inspired to get outside!
How completely magical! I’m not surprised they asked to go again. So lovely – and yes, snow would have made it more like Christmas – but it’s still beautiful. Glad you all had fun x
Thank you Kiran, it was wonderful, I’m a bit of a fan of fairy lights too :)
Wow what gorgeous lights – must have been so magical even without the snow. Happy New Year to you all :-)
Thank you Louise, Happy New Year to you too x
What beautiful lights and a great way to see the zoo at night but eek to puppets at the Santas grotto! #countrykids
LOL, I really hate puppets :)
It does look magical and so pretty. Love the wonder on wee girl’s face x
Thank you Jocelyn, it was a lovely evening x
That does look so magical. I was just talking about that to my husband the other day-we used to have a couple of places that did these kind of events but none of them exist any more-cut backs I assume. It’s such a shame too because they are so lovely.
It is magical, even the adults think so :)
Wow so pretty and the Wee Girl definitely looks entranced! X #countrykids
She really was xx
Oh wow its really beautiful! looks like you had lots of fun! Such lovely memories captured #countrykids
It is a fab event, really enjoy it :)
Fun idea. I can imagine the snow reflects the lights beautifully, but then again, least it was milder. You probably spent longer admiring it all. Happy New Year to you all!
That is very true Cheryl, I think the adults enjoyed it more this year :) happy New Year to you too x
That zoo really does have something for all seasons. Those lights are wonderful and so Christmassy, definitely worth a visit, it looks magical and wee girl looks captivated. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
It’s a small zoo, but they do have good events. Thank you for hosting Fiona x
awww Sara what a fantastic place to visit!
It is Jaime xx
This is beautiful! There’s always something magical with lights in the night ;) Anyway, wishing you and your lovely family more blessings this year :) #countrykids.
A very Happy New Year to you too Dean xx
I love special kids events in the evening with lights – it turns an outing in the dark into a special occasion.!
It really does, the kids loved it x
In my country there are lots of lights display during Christmas and I always go to have a look. Theres nothing like it in here where we live and I miss it cuz look at the happy faces you will get when you see something so pretty! I miss your post! Happy New Year =) #countrykids
It is as wonderful looking at the children’s faces watching the lights as it is looking at the lights themselves x
Oh wow I think I’d love to go see them, they do feel very Christmassy don’t they? Happy new year to you all!!! :)
They do indeed! Happy New Year to you too Tas x
What a lovely event. Ethan would have loved this. He has been able to vocalize ‘Christmas lights’ this year, practically screams at you until you say it back to him. I could imagine him being quite loud here lol
I’m sure he would love it :)
Beautiful!! My kids would adore that – there’s something so magical about lights. Looks like you had a wonderful time x
I do think fairy lights in trees are completely magical x
This is just beautiful! I WILL find out if any of our local zoos do them next year! <3
It’s such a lovely thing to do :)
Happy New Year, Sara. I can imagine this was a lovely, magical experience. Reminds me of Blackpool illuminations (in the nicest possible way!). As a kid, that was always a treat to see.
Events like this are special for the kids x Happy New Year to you too xx
Oh that looks like wonderful magical place and it sounds like you all had a great time, really pretty.
It was a lovely evening xx
That looks like such a magical night – the lights are amazing.
It is magical, so pretty x
Lovely shots Sara :) Looks like everyone had a great time!