This year’s second annual “L.A. Zoo Lights” event at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Griffith Park closes the season on Jan. 3, with a sparkling display of lights across the nighttime zoo grounds amid its diverse collection of 1,100 (mostly sleeping) animals. But a few days before, locals are invited to experience a special family-themed New Year’s Eve night on Thursday, Dec. 31.
1/16
A large crowd enjoys a water and light show during the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
2/16
Lighted meerkats can be seen at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
3/16
Lighted balls hanging from trees with lights of their own can be seen at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
4/16
Colorfully lighted palm trees can be seen at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
5/16
A heard of buffalo seem to be grazing on a hillside at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
6/16
Hanging light displays can be seen throughout at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
7/16
Lighted decorations can be seen at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
8/16
Lighted monkeys can be seen hanging out at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
9/16
The entrance to the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
10/16
Lights change the colors of elephant statues at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
11/16
Large display of lighted animal decorations can be seen at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
12/16
Colorful lights create animal shapes throughout the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
13/16
An aardvark rides a vehicle at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
14/16
A young boy touches the red nose of a reindeer at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
15/16
A giant lighted snake can be seen on the roof of The Lair at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
16/16
A couple in silhouette pose for a photo at the L.A. Zoo Lights event, in Los Angeles on Monday, December 21, 2015. Light displays can be seen at 15 locations including the entry plaza, the reindeer romp village, meerkat madness, electric elephants, and a twinkle tunnel. There are lighted monkeys hanging out on palm trees and a light show at LightScapes where scenes are projected on a curtain of water. The event runs nightly through January 3rd.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Ticket-holders to this VIP-style celebration will have access to a dinner buffet, rides on the zoo’s carousel, a dance party and crafts for kids while watching the live broadcast from New York of the ball drop in Times Square at 9 p.m. West Coast time. That means an early New Year’s celebration, from 6 p.m. until the zoo’s 10 p.m. closing time.
Tickets for the “Family New Year’s Eve” package are $65 for adults and $40 for children, with a discount for GLAZA members. Regular admission for “L.A. Zoo Lights” is $13 to $16 for adults, $11 to $14 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 admitted free.
