The Gladys Porter Zoo will be hosting its annual holiday celebration, Zoo Nights and Lights. This family-friendly event offers holiday spirit and fun for guests of all ages as well as a romantic setting for a date night.

This year, the Gladys Porter Zoo is doing things a bit differently. In order to spread out attendance and give guests more opportunities to visit, Zoo Nights and Lights will be held for two weekends rather than one. The scheduled weekends are December 3rd-5th and 10th-12th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night.

 

The public is invited to stroll through the Zoo’s pathways, filled with brilliant light displays. There will be live musical and dance performances, Christmas karaoke and book readings. Visitors can shop for unique holiday gifts at the arts and crafts show and the Zoo gift shop. Zoo staff will also be competing in a Christmas tree decorating contest, and guests will be able to vote for their favorite tree.

Unfortunately, there will not be a cookie decorating station this year, but children will receive a coupon for a free cookie from McDonald’s.

The price of admission for this event is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets for Zoo Nights and Lights are now available on the Zoo’s website, or they can be purchased at the gate. Zoo Members get in free with their membership cards.

Guests can receive free admission by donating a new, unwrapped toy for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The toy must be valued at $5 or higher—only one free admission will be granted per toy donation.

The Gladys Porter Zoo staff would like to thank sponsors, McDonald’s RGV Owner Operators, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, H-E-B, KVEO-Local 23, CBS 4, Digital 101.5 and the City of Brownsville, for their generous donations that helped make this event possible.

For more information, please visit www.gpz.org or call (956) 546-7187.