PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The day after Thanksgiving, Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence will flip the switch on its Holiday Lights Spectacular, a walk-through display that this year stretches more than 3.5 million bulbs over 40 acres of zoo grounds.
The show opens Friday, Nov. 27, and runs every night through Sunday, Jan. 3, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. It goes dark only on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Guests follow glowing paths past scenes that include penguins and snowflakes, and stands along the route sell hot chocolate, cocktails and makings for s’mores.
Santa gets his own welcome on the first Friday in December, Dec. 4. A parade at 5:30 that evening will bring him in aboard a vintage Model A, trailed by zoo trains, decorated trucks and carts, elves and carolers. A local dairy plans milk and cookie samples at a Touch-a-Truck in Nourish Plaza that night.
Other recurring draws fill the calendar. Early in the week, on Monday and Wednesday evenings, families can pose with costumed Frozen characters and the Grinch during a two-hour photo window that starts at 5:30. Each weekend, Friday through Sunday, Santa holds court inside the zoo store for two hours beginning at 6. The zoo mascot, Roger the Red Panda, reads a version of a classic Christmas Eve poem each night at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
Tuesday visitors save $5 on admission. All tickets have to be bought online ahead of time, and the show carries on through light or moderate rain and snow, so the zoo offers no refunds or rescheduled visits. Rhode Island Energy is the presenting sponsor, and the money raised goes to animal care, education and conservation work at the zoo.
Section: More Providence RI events news
Filed under: Providence RI Events News