With the holiday season just around the corner, the Zoolights crew at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is deep into preparations for one of the Puget Sound region’s most beloved traditions.
Every fall, the team transforms the zoo into a sparkling winter wonderland for Zoolights, and by early November, the work is in full swing. Rain or shine, the zoo’s skilled electricians, carpenters, and maintenance staff spend their days- and often nights- assembling displays, stringing lights, and bringing holiday magic to life for the community to enjoy.
This year marks 38 years of Zoolights, a tradition that continues to bring together families and friends from across the region. More than 1.5 million lights will soon illuminate the zoo, creating glowing scenes that celebrate both wildlife and the Pacific Northwest.
Many favorite displays are returning this year, including the towering Flame Tree, the polar bear family, Mount Rainier, and the Seahawks Tree shining in bright greens, blues, and a brilliant white “12” for the 12th Man.
While the zoo’s animals rest each evening, their illuminated counterparts come to life—frolicking, swimming, and glowing under the winter sky. Nearly every light display is built in-house, designed to withstand the Northwest’s unpredictable winter weather and continue delighting guests year after year.
By mid-November, the bulk of the setup will be complete, with crews focusing on testing and last-minute details before Zoolights opens on Nov. 28. The work doesn’t stop once the lights are on- the crew monitors the displays nightly to ensure everything stays shining bright. After the event ends in January, it can take up to a month to carefully pack away every last light for next season.
Zoolights by the Numbers
- 1 day – Time to assemble the Narrows Bridges display
- 5 feet – Wingspan of the LED swooping eagles
- 6 people – To lift the roaring tiger’s head
- 37 years – Age of the Flame Tree
- 38 years – Zoolights tradition continues
- 100 feet – Width of the giant Pacific octopus
- 24,000 lights – On the octopus
- 30,030 lights – On the Flame Tree
- Over 1.5 million lights – Total for Zoolights 2025
Added Experiences: Dog Nights & Groovy Goats
Dog Nights: For the first time ever, guests can bring their dogs to Zoolights on select evenings: Dec. 1, 3, 9, 10, and Jan. 4. Stroll the lighted pathways with your pup and make unforgettable holiday memories. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online.
Groovy Goats Zoolights Edition: Meet the zoo’s playful goats, some dressed in festive holiday coats, during a private, holiday-themed encounter. This special add-on experience offers a fun, up-close moment with some of the zoo’s most charming residents.
Plan Your Visit
Zoolights runs Nov. 28 through Jan. 4, from 4:30–10 p.m. nightly, closed on Dec. 24 & 25. Timed online tickets are required, and popular dates sell out quickly.
Parking is always free at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Zoolights is presented by BECU. Get your tickets now at pdza.org/zoolights and join us for the magic beginning Nov. 28!