WHAT:
Flip the switch event to officially open ZooLights, powered by Pepco, the annual free lights festival at Smithsonian’s National Zoo  

WHEN:
Nov. 29
5 p.m.
RSVP to Annalisa Meyer, meyeran@si.edu

WHERE:
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.

WHO:
Pamela Baker-Masson, associate director of communications and exhibits, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Pepco officials  

At ZooLights, powered by Pepco, visitors to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo can stroll through a dynamic and colorful winter wonderland under the glow of more than half a million environmentally friendly LED lights, animal-shaped lanterns and wildlife silhouettes. For the first time, an immersive outdoor art installation, “Entre Les Rangs,” will transform the hill adjacent to the Zoo’s Great Cats exhibit into a walkable wheat-like field of light. Also new this year, 25 lifelike animal lanterns sculpted into the shape of elephants, lions, tigers, alligators, flamingos and more will dazzle Zoo visitors. In the Visitor Center Theater, visitors can put on a virtual-reality headset and explore a day in the life of the Zoo’s giant pandas in the ticketed screening “Pandamonium: A Virtual Experience.” ZooLights will illuminate the Zoo for 31 nights—from Nov. 29 through Jan. 1, 2020, (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31) from 5-9 p.m. For more information about ZooLights events, including special attractions, entertainment and dining options, visit the Zoo’s website.   

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