Last week I attended the media preview night of LumiNature. This holiday extravaganza transforms the Zoo into a dazzling winter wonderland. Guests will experience a magical journey of lights, music, sounds and surprises. It features 14 illuminated experience zones with themed displays, newly-enhanced installations and hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. Highlights will include a 100 ft-long aquarium tunnel, enormous jellyfish, a brand new octopus tree, a 21-feet tall brilliant colored snake, hundreds of illuminated penguins (see photo bellow), giant cat eyes glowing in the dark of night, a 22-feet-tall Butterfly Tree, a new Wilderness Express Train, and a 25-foot tree made entirely of lit flamingo lawn ornaments. I especially loved the flamingo themed tree pictured above!
"LumiNature is the most unique and memorable holiday light show in the region. We are proud to present something that families won’t be able to experience anywhere else, " said Philadelphia Zoo’s Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Amy Shearer.
LumiNature first debuted in 2019, and represented the first evening and holiday program in Philadelphia Zoo's long history. The inaugural event drew tens of thousands of enchanted visitors. While plans were in the works for a sparkling return in 2020, the Zoo took a one year break during the pandemic. It is now back and even more beautiful and brilliant than before. Offering new and additional areas of sparkle, LumiNature returns with larger displays, more immersive experiences, more open-space and more wattage.
LumiNature, Presented by Chase, is open from November 18th to January 9th. Hours for the 2021 season are Wednesdays through Sundays (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), with reservations available from 5:30pm through 8:30pm. Timed entrance tickets are available every half hour. Prices are $25 for adults (12+) and $20 for kids (2-11). Philadelphia Zoo members enjoy discounts on LumiNature tickets. All guests must pre-purchase timed tickets at www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org.
