2020 ZooLights Drive-Through Nights

POSTED BY
Victoria

The Oregon Zoo’s special holiday attraction lets you walk on the wild side of a winter wonderland. ZooLights features more than 1.5 million lights and gives visitors a whole new zoo experience.

Usually this post is dedicated to the ZooLights discount nights. This year, there will not be discounts offered. Instead, I’ll tell you about the two options you have to view one of Portland’s best holiday light displays.

2020 Oregon ZooLights

The 2020 ZooLights event is taking place at the Oregon Zoo from November 22 through January 10 (closed on Christmas). The event is a little different this year as a drive-through experience.

Drive-through nights

Drive-through nights let you cruise by all your favorite ZooLights displays inside the Oregon Zoo from the comfort and safety of your car. The drive through the zoo will take about 25-35 minutes.

When you arrive at the zoo, you’ll join a queue to check-in curbside, then proceed to the drive-through entrance. The route will take you on a path through the zoo, including some behind-the-scenes areas around the outside of Elephant Lands. You’ll see many of the same displays from past years, including animated animals, immersive tunnels of lights and whimsical displays.

Guests will continue through the display at a slow pace and remain in their vehicles at all times. Masks are required during check-in and any additional interactions with ZooLights staff.

You’ll have the option to pre-order snacks when purchasing your tickets, which will be available for pick-up when you check in. Treat and beverage options will include:

Hot Cocoa
Humdinger Kettle Corn
Elephant Ears
Cotton Candy

Tickets

All guests must reserve ZooLights tickets online in advance. Tickets are only available up to 7 days in advance of the visit date. I highly recommend marking your calendar for when the day you’d like to visit will have tickets available online.

You will reserve a time for your visit during checkout. You’ll be asked to arrive within 15 minutes of your scheduled time.

Drive-through ticket prices range from $50-$65, depending on the night of your visit. Sadly, the price keeps increasing for this event. It started out fairly reasonable, but is now expensive for only 30 minutes of entertainment. If you are looking to view beautiful holiday light displays for free, check out the Nextdoor Cheer Map to find displays around your neighborhood.

For cheaper drive-through light displays, consider Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway and the all new Clackamas County Winter Fair Holiday Light Display.

For more information about this event and to purchase tickets, visit the ZooLights web page.

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