While we are still in the planning stages of our 24th Annual Wildlights Celebration, here are a few confirmed details.   Dates:         November 16, 2012 to January 01, 2013 Times:        Zoo opens daily at 10:00 a.m. with Wildlights activities operating:                    Sundays through Thursdays:      5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.,                    Fridays and Saturdays:             5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Closed:       Thanksgiving (Nov. 22)                    Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25) Cost:           Regular Admission Rates Apply                    Free to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Members   We have decked the halls, trees, bushes, everything but the animals with all new eco-friendly LED lights to bring you the brightest Wildlights display ever! Central Ohio’s favorite family holiday tradition will celebrate its 24th year and offer more holiday fun than ever before! The event is efficiently powered by gridSMART from AEP Ohio.    Know Before You Go: - The African Forest Region is closed for Wildlights, so come early to see the gorillas and bonobos before they settle in for the night with viewing until 4:00 p.m.   Sounds of the Season Get in the holiday spirit by listening to music as local organizations take the Animals on Safari Stage on select evenings.                                  Global Celebrations: Holiday Light Show Celebrating the world and the season is the theme of this ALL NEW animated holiday light show featuring all new songs, new elements with the return of our 24 foot in diameter globe as the centerpeice. This 8 minute music and light extravaganza is presented to every thirty minutes from 5:45 p.m. to close.   The Magical Timbernacle Forest Chorus This Magical Chorus of 29 melodious animatronic arbors come together they form a 12-foot holiday evergreen that is sure to 'leaf" you in amazement.   A Green Christmas at My House at Habitat Hollow Stroll though the house and learn some environmental lessons to make your holiday season brighter and GREENER than ever.   A Down Home Country Christmas at My Barn at Habitat Hollow Stop by and experience a little good ol' fashioned country christmas and say hello to the animals that call this barn home.   Polar Bear Express  All Aboard the Bob Evans Train for a ride through a winter wonderland. Cost is $1.00 per ride per person or included with the $5.00 ride wristband special. Ride is subject to weather and mechanical conditions.   Santa's Reindeer Corral  Before you enter Polar Frontier, see the enchanted animals that help Santa take his deliveries to the skies.   Santa and Mrs. Claus Be sure to meet the jolly ol' elf himself and get your photo taken with him. Then stop by and decorate your own cookie with Mrs. Claus in her kitchen. Additional fees may apply. **Please note that the Claus Family has requested time off after December 23 and will not be available.   Spotlight on Polar Bears Learn some cool things about our arctic ambassadors during this habitat chat with our professionals who care for them. Nightly at 7:00 p.m.   A Pop Culture Christmas in Asia Quest Be sure to take some time out to see this holiday display that will allow the young (and the young at heart) remember some great moments of the holidays of yesteryear and that are still famous today.   The Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center See Sun Bears, Hanna our Reticulated Python, Water Monitors, Giant Fruit Bats, Golden Mantled Bats and Langurs.   The Diving Claus Enjoy the holidays with this Zoo favorite Display of Coral and Colorful Fish. Watch Santa show off his scuba skills nightly at 6:00 p.m. (additional dives at 8:00 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday)   Manatee Coast: An Island Holiday  Celebrate the Holidays the way they do in the Thousand Islands among the mangroves with our group of manatees.   Reptile Building See snakes, lizards, turtles and all your scaley friends.  (Keeper Lab open Thursday through Sunday)    Humbolt Penguin Habitat Say hi to these fine birds and learn about their colder weather cousins.   1914 Mangels-Illions Grand Carousel Visit the Columbus Dispatch Charities Grand Carousel Pavilion and take a ride on our historic carousel.  Cost is $1.00 per ride per person or included with the $5.00 ride wristband special. Ride is subject to weather and mechanical conditions.    Bob & Evelyn's Road House and Nocturnal Building Vist the live animals that call the Australia and the Islands home during this simulated night hike.   Koala Habitat Look through the windows at our magnificent Koalas     Wildlights Tours Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Wildlights after the crowds have gone. Travel the Zoo snuggled under a blanket, while sipping hot chocolate in the luxury of a golf cart. View the lights and stop in to visit a few animals friends as well! This is a great opportunity for families with children and grandparents or a holiday date night. For more information on these experiences and our behind the scenes tours please visit: columbuszoo.org/explore_your_zoo/tours    **A Note To Our Guests: Wildlights activities will begin daily at 5 p.m., and the Zoo will close at 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Remember that regular Zoo hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. this winter—this is the best time to see the animals. After 4 p.m. many of the animals are behind the scenes, and as the sun goes down, it can become difficult to view them.  If you are interested in seeing the animals and Wildlights, we recommend you begin your visit early in the day, and stay into the evening. You will not need to exit and re-enter, nor will you need a separate ticket for Wildlights.    As always, extreme weather, health issues, or maintenance of exhibits and regions will be a factor in which animals may be viewable on your trip.  If you have specific questions, you can call ahead, email us, or simply ask about your favorite animals once you arrive.