If the "holly jolly Christmas"spirit hasn't landed on your doorstep yet, we suggest a quick trip to the Houston Zoo where the nightly enchanted forest extravaganza — Zoo Lights — will soon have you humming "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
No bah humbugs allowed! In fact, it's impossible to be anything but near giddy amid the magnificent TXU Energy presentation that features more than 2 million LED dancing lights spread across the zoo along a marvelous winding path that follows a 1.9-mile course. (Comfortable footwear a must.) In its third year, the magical wonderland of lights is better than ever.
The majestic oaks wrapped like holiday presents in rings of light — white, yellow, red, lavender — are just the beginning of this light show so enchanting that surely Santa's elves had a hand in it. Colossal lighted globes spin overhead while waterfall lights create fantastical illusions.
The majestic oaks wrapped like holiday presents are just the beginning of this light show so enchanting that surely Santa's elves had a hand in it.
A tunnel of sparkling lights in rainbow colors invites as lights across the park dance to holiday tunes. Bruce Springsteen belts out "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Bing Crosby warbles "White Christmas. And Andy Williams lifts spirits with "The Most Wonderful Time of Year."
Beyond sight-seeing, activities include holiday carolers each night at 7 and at 8, photo opps inside a giant snow globe, s'mores for the making, riding the Wildlife Carousel gingerbread cookie decorating and loads of places for snack or a meal. Hot chocolate for the kiddos and beer and wine for the grown-ups keep spirits high.
Zoo Lights runs 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 4, except for Christmas and Christmas Eve. (Admission is separate from regular zoo admission, ticket discounts offered online.)
TXU Energy's Zoo Lights creates a magical wonderland with 2,000,000 lights.
