WORTH THE DRIVE: Cincinnati Zoo’s Christmas lights named nation’s best for second year

The Cincinnati Zoo is No. 1 again.

USA Today announced the results of its 2019 10Best Poll for Best Zoo Lights contest today, Dec. 13, and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's PNC Festival of Lights took the top spot for the second year in a row.

“We’re thrilled to be #1 on this list again,” said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard in a press release. “We start hanging lights in August and work to make our holiday event bigger and better every year! It’s great to be recognized as the best, and we are proud to have been voted Best Zoo and Best Zoo Lights in 2019. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote!”

>> The best Christmas light displays across the region

For the 37th year of the event, the Zoo has been transformed into a “Wild Wonderland,” illuminated by 3 million LED lights. The zoo lights are open Sundays through Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 4.

>> Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights is back and this year there’s a new Fiona Fairyland

WANT TO GO? 

WHAT: 37th Annual PNC Festival of Lights

WHERE: The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati

WHEN: Through Jan. 4, 2020. Open Sundays through Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-10 p.m. Visits with Santa begin at 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving (open during the day), Christmas Eve (open during the day) and Christmas Day.

ADMISSION: Event is included with zoo admission. Admission varies for dates and times. Discount tickets available at Kroger. Plan-ahead pricing can be found at https://ticketstore.cincinnatizoo.org/ 

MORE INFO: Website

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