Holiday Spectacular Lights The Night At Roger Williams Park Zoo

PROVIDENCE, RI — The holiday season has arrived, bringing the return of the popular holiday lights display at Roger Williams Park Zoo. The family friendly event is back for a second season, this year as an immersive walkthrough experience.

The holiday lights display was created in 2020 as a way for families to celebrate the holiday season in a safe, socially distant way. Because it was the height of the coronavirus pandemic in Rhode Island, it was designed as a drive-through experience.

"People were happy to have something safe to do with their families [last year,]" said Vicki Scharfberg, a spokesperson for the zoo.

Although the pandemic situation is far improved from last year, "outdoor is still best," Scharfberg said, making the outdoor Holiday Light Spectacular an opportunity to get into the holiday spirit while staying safe.

This year, the display was expanded to include the entire 40-acre zoo, allowing visitors the opportunity to walk the grounds at their own pace and see the display up close. While last year's display boasted an impressive one million lightbulbs, this year's expanded experience has triple that number.

While the event is popular with children and young families, it offers something for visitors of all ages.

"I like that it covers the entire zoo ... once you walk in it's a winter wonderland," Scharfberg said. "Come and have fun, drink hot chocolate and roast s'mores."

As visitors explore the zoo grounds, they will encounter display vignettes with synched holiday music. The first scene comes just after the main entrance in a tunnel of multicolored lights, flashing along with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

If it gets too cold, refreshment stands will have hot chocolate and snacks for sale, along with several s'mores stations. Choirs will also be stationed around the zoo on some nights, along with other live entertainment. On Thursday nights, kids can visit with Santa Claus, who will be at the zoo from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All tickets for the Holiday Lights Spectacular must be purchased online, in advance. Tickets cost $12 for adults or $10 for children aged 2 through 12. Zoo members receive a discount.

The display opened Thanksgiving weekend and is open Thursday through Sunday until Dec. 9, when it will be open daily through Jan. 2. The zoo will be closed Dec. 24 and 25.