Wild Lights Offers Shivers and Smiles

Photos Taken By: J. Cendrowski

Winter’s answer to fireworks has always been holiday lights. How else would metro Detroiters willingly turn off Netflix, layer thermal, fleece, and wool, and head out into the bitter night air? Fortunately, you don’t have to go too far to make chapped lips and a runny nose worth your while. The Detroit Zoo’s annual Wild Lights evenings are full of enough winter magic to make you forget the cold and embrace the season. Besides the creative displays of twinkling lights, there are carolers, a Polar Express 4D short, Santa “Paws”, and arts and crafts. It’s not all childlike fun, though; craft brews and wine are available for purchase. Truth be told, it makes for a pretty romantic date night if you skip the indoor activities which are full of families, go later in the evening, and take every gust of arctic wind as an opportunity to snuggle.

To escape the rugrats altogether, check out Holiday Cheer at Wild Lights for adults 21 and over. It’s this Thursday, December 4th from 6 to 10 p.m. The event features “specialty holiday drinks”, in addition to the aforementioned beer and wine. Holiday Cheer tickets are $40 for zoo admission and three alcoholic beverages. Additional drink tickets will be available for purchase. If you are not a drinker, but want to attend with your boozing buddies, you can purchase a discounted Designated Driver (DD) ticket for $25. The DD ticket includes zoo admission and unlimited soft drinks and hot cocoa so you can get your sugar buzz on. Parking is $6 per car.

Wild Lights will be held 5:30 to 9 p.m. on December 5-7, 11-14, 18-23, and 26-31. Cost is $8 per person in advance and $10 at the gate for ages 2 and up (under 2 admitted free); parking is $6 per car. The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd. in Royal Oak. For more information, go to www.detroitzoo.org.

~KT