Dreaming of a bright Christmas? Here's what's new at Zoolights this year
Dinosaurs at the Calgary Zoo will be merry and bright this Christmas.
Officials announced on Tuesday that the prehistoric park will be a part of its annual Christmas lights display for the first time ever in 2021/22.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Zoolights. To celebrate, the zoo is updating some of the annual favourites and adding new attractions.
During Dinos in the Dark, the zoo says visitors will be transported on a mission in which they need to get of the prehistoric park before a volcano erupts.
The Calgary Zoo hosts it's annual Zoolights display. (Photo by Anna Ferensowicz/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Also new this year is The Nutcracker Experience in the ENMAX Conservatory, which the zoo says is a "sparkly salute" to the classic Nutcracker story. There will be a wintery sleigh families can take photos on, giant nutcrackers and a ballerina made entirely of flowers.
This year, the zoo is also hosting a Zoolights Market where you can buy items from local vendors that are either sustainable, recycled or celebrate nature.
There will also be a Chocolate Bar, where visitors can buy gourmet hot chocolate.
The zoo also says one of the most-loved features of Zoolights, the Tunnel of Light, will be updated to be an "immersive and interactive experience."
Other annual attractions at Zoolights returning this year include a skating rink, fire pits, visits with Santa and axe throwing.
The Calgary Zoo hosts Zoolights ever year. (Getty Images)
"We can’t wait to see everyone enjoy the magic of the holiday season, while also supporting wildlife conservation," Calgary Zoo spokesperson Alison Archambault said.
The festive and family-friendly event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for six weeks starting on Nov. 19.
This year, Zoolights will rent out (for free) a special sensory bag for sensory-sensitive visitors.
They also have a sensory experience map available online to help those with sensory sensitivities plan their best route in advance.
Visitors to the zoo who are 12+ are required to show their government-issued ID, along with proof of double vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours or proof of medical exception.
In addition, masks are required inside all zoo buildings.
For more information on Zoolights and to buy tickets you can visit the Calgary Zoo's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.