By: Ashmar Mandou

One of Chicago’s favorite holiday traditions returns for another year, ready to amaze families with incredible twinkling lights. Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual Zoolights, presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ, is officially open for its 29th year featuring new and modern LED light displays with interactive elements as well as a new garden-themed light show. Returning this year will be the traditional Victorian carolers, the Ferris Wheel, and the Light Maze. In the midst of opening weekend, we spoke to Lincoln Park Zoo’s Director of Marketing and Events Gretchen Kirchmer who shared what families can expect to see this year.

Lawndale Bilingual News: Zoolights returns for another year, what are you looking forward to opening weekend?
Gretchen Kirchmer: I’m looking forward to it all! The whole planning process of putting Zoolights together takes so long. We have a whole team behind Zoolights that begins the planning process for nearly a year and then we begin putting everything together in August. It’s wonderful to see all the different parts come together and work; it’s just super incredible.

Lawndale Bilingual News: What new features can families expect to see?
Gretchen Kirchmer: This year has a really fresh look. In the South Lawn, we have a garden glow light show which features an array of Chinese lanterns in the forms of butterflies, dragons, bumblebees, and we also have a light exhibit, called Illuminature, which has light rods and is a little more artistic which is very cool, and we also have touch light display, an interactive experience for all to enjoy.

Lawndale Bilingual News: Families from all over visit Zoolights as part of their holiday tradition, it must be a great feeling to be part of a project that is a core memory for so many?
Gretchen Kirchmer: It is an honor to be part of a family’s holiday tradition. The best part of it all is when we see the faces come through, to see their excitement, to see their amazement, it’s incredible. You definitely feel the holiday vibes, the holiday spirit, it is present and makes the planning process worth it to know that we are a part of a family’s yearly holiday tradition.

Zoolights begins at 4:30p.m., nightly and will run through January 7th, 2024. For ticket or for general information, visit www.lpzoo.org. Lincoln Park Zoo is located at 2400 N Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL.

Photo Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo