CINCINNATI — For the sixth year in a row, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's holiday lights display was voted No. 1 in the nation by USA TODAY's 10Best editors in the Best Zoo Lights category by readers.
Toledo Zoo's display followed closely behind, receiving the No. 2 position in the rankings.
“We start hanging lights in August and keep going until the Zoo shines bright all around,” said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard in a news release. “This is the 41st year that we’ve held one of Cincinnati’s favorite holiday traditions, and it’s important to us to keep things fresh without letting go of the things that keep people coming back.”
While old favorites have returned, this year the zoo introduced an app allowing visitors to participate in the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake by syncing their phone's flashlight to the music. Twenty new lifelike animal lanterns were also placed around the zoo this year.
The zoo is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. 17 to Jan. 7. On Fridays and Saturdays the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 7.
The PNC Festival of Lights is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas. The last chance to visit Santa is Dec. 23.