It's Lit: Lights and Other Attractions

For years Zoo Lights has been one of the top holiday attractions in Oregon. Located at the Portland Zoo, it attracts people of all ages. More than one and a half million  lights are used throughout the park to make more than 200 animated animals and displays, to, as the website claims, “experience your zoo in a whole new light.”
This year the attraction opens on Nov. 25 and remain open until Jan. 1; the zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. and the lights start at 5 p.m., running until 8 p.m. Food and drinks will be available as well as the gift shop where people can buy souvenirs from their visit.
“I’m really excited to go this year for the first time because it seems really cool and is really popular. The pictures I’ve seen look amazing,” Selbie Christensen ‘18 said.
Further information and prices are available online at the Oregon Zoo’s website.
The Christmas Festival of Light is another major attraction during the holiday season, as it is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The festival features 160 concerts from regional performers, and a festival zoo including Storm the camel, a llama and more.
The light attraction opens on Dec. 2 and runs through Dec. 30. Nightly, it is open from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Further information and prices are available at The Grotto’s website.
The Portland International Raceway also puts on the Northwest’s largest light show, with this year being the 24th annual Winter Wonderland. Spanning the entirety of the track, people drive underneath lit wreaths, and by giant presents and rocking horses.
The show spans from Nov. 25 to Dec. 25. From Sunday to Thursday it is open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., while the hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The website suggests going on weeknights to beat the rush. A Lyft coupon is also available under the general information tab, along with prices.