WASHINGTON, DC (7News) — ZooLights at the Smithsonian National Zoo is back, and on night one, the crowd packed the park, snapping up all of the special entry passes.
"It's back and so are we," said visitor Melissa Kang.
Visitors, including loads of little ones, were happy to welcome back the D.C. holiday tradition.
As the animals slept, the zoo came to life, lined with animal light displays and holiday lights adorning the trees.
"Knock on wood, everything seems pretty normal tonight," Jess Rappaport said.
This was a nice return to the holidays of old for her and her two boys.
"I still remember bringing him when he was like three months old," she said. "It's really fun to come out here especially on this gorgeous night."
Robert Graham and his wife and kids were out to start a new holiday pastime.
"We're out here exploring the lights,” he said. “First time actually going to the ZooLights."
The scene was a far cry from the height of the pandemic when the National Zoo created the ZooLights Express, taking the show on the road.
With the return to the park, visitors have until Dec. 30 to take part.
ZooLights is free but a special entry pass (separate from a daily Zoo pass) is required.
There is also a flat-rate parking fee of $30. Daytime parking tickets are not valid for ZooLights parking.
Here's a list of when you can visit:
WEEK 1 | Nov. 25, 26, 27 | Friday to Sunday
WEEK 2 | Dec. 2, 3, 4 | Friday to Sunday
WEEK 3 | Dec. 9, 10, 11 | Friday to Sunday
WEEK 4 & 5 | Dec. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 | Friday to Friday
WEEK 6 | Dec. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 | Monday to Friday