If you’re looking for holiday events in Portland, you’ll definitely want to visit ZooLights with kids. The Portland ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo is so special for families: When we went this year, my kids were over the top excited. After all, the Portland ZooLights has it all: 1.6 million lights, zoo animals, music, a carousel and even Santa.

But I wouldn’t blame you if you’re nervous at the thought of venturing outside for Portland holiday events during the winter—close to your kids’ bedtime, no less. That’s why I wrote this blog post: To help you make the most of visiting the Portland ZooLights with kids. After all, you want your family holiday outings to be more fun and less freezing or frustrating.

I’ve been there, too! But this year going to ZooLights with kids was my best yet, and I’m excited to share with you the tips and insider recommendations I’ve used to make this Portland holiday event one to remember.

My family received free tickets to the Oregon Zoo ZooLights. As always, opinions in this family travel blog are entirely my own, and I only share experiences I know you will value, too.

Portland ZooLights with kids: 12 tips for holiday fun

We typically say no to family events that might interfere with the girls’ bedtime, but we make an exception for ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo. Here’s how to make this Portland holiday event run smoothly.

1. Dress warmer than you think you have to

It was 48 degrees when my family went to ZooLights this year, but we dressed for a day on the mountain! I broke out the kids’ snow pants (and mine), brought hats and mittens, and made sure everyone was toasty warm.

The Oregon Zoo tends to be about 5 degrees colder than other parts in Portland, so keep that in mind. Also remember you’ll be outside for 1.5-2 hours. And while you’ll be walking around, you’re not generating that much body heat—so dress warmly and in layers!

My kids and I may have looked like marshmallows, but no one was cold. I call that a win.

2. Use the bathroom before you leave home

I knew the kids would be wearing snow pants and coats—layers that are a total pain to take off when you need to pee in a public bathroom. So I made sure everyone had used the bathroom before they got dressed warmly.

3. Dress your kids in PJs

ZooLights opens at 5pm, which means you’ll get your kids home around bedtime. Avoid a power struggle over pajamas by putting them in PJs as their base layer.

This year, I actually gave them their new Christmas jammies right before we left for Portland ZooLights, so they were thrilled to get changed! And I didn’t have to cajole anyone into changing once we got home.

4. Bring a stroller for younger children

My kids are now 3 and 5, and my 3-year-old rode in our double stroller for only a few minutes. We probably won’t bring it next year. If your children are younger, though, definitely bring a stroller.

5. Pack blankets

If you do bring a stroller, bring a blanket for each child. They’ll get colder if they’re sitting instead of walking, so having a cuddly blanket will help keep them toasty.

6. Bring all the snacks

This year, my sister and brother came with us to the Portland ZooLights, and my sister laughed when I recited all the snack options to my hungry kids. I brought a tiny cooler filled with sliced turkey, tofu dogs, peeled apple chunks, Goldfish crackers, string cheese, fruit leather, fruit squeezie pouches, bananas, granola bars and PBJs.

I knew the kids wouldn’t be eating an actual dinner, since we were at ZooLights during our regular meal time, so I needed to get them fed on the go.

I saw another family brought a picnic and ate it at a table between the African Rainforest and Discovery Plaza. I thought that was a great idea! (As long as it’s not raining.)

7. Bring your own souvenirs

One of the first things you’ll see as you walk into ZooLights with kids is a stall selling glow-in-the-dark and light-up toys. I didn’t even pause long enough to check out the prices (since I wasn’t about to buy any for my kids!), but I’m pretty certain they’re out of our budget.

If you think your kids will want to buy light-up toys, grab some glow-in-the-dark wands or jewelry from the Dollar Store before you go to the Portland ZooLights.

8. Buy your tickets online

Instead of standing in line, you can now buy Portland ZooLights tickets online here! The link doesn’t work for discounted tickets (for $5 apiece), which you can get if you use assistance programs including WIC, Head Start, food stamps and others, or if you’re a foster family.

Also remember that your Oregon Zoo membership will also get you into ZooLights. (We are Oregon Zoo members!)

9. Go to ZooLights early

ZooLights starts at 5, and I recommend arriving at the Oregon Zoo by 4:45. That will allow you to park before all the lots are full and you have to drive back to the shuttle parking lot. Then you can pay for parking (at $3/hour) and get your tickets, then be through the gates at 5—before the crowds.

10. Visit ZooLights sooner rather than later

The later in the season you go to ZooLights, the busier it will be. Families cram in holiday events toward Christmas (which is another reason why you definitely need to use my family calendar planning hack), so get ZooLights with kids in your schedule now!

11. Look for the hearts

Throughout the light displays at the Portland ZooLights, you’ll find lit-up hearts. Tell your kids to look for them in this holiday scavenger hunt! My kids were so excited each time we found a heart. And by saying, “Let’s go look for more hearts!” we were able to keep them moving along so we didn’t stay all night.

If you locate all six of the hearts, stop by the gift shop and submit an entry for a chance to win a $75 gift card.

12. Plan ahead if your child has sensory needs

If your child is sensitive to light, noise or other stimulation, plan ahead. You might want to bring a stroller that has a pull-down top (like our BOB) and bring noise-canceling headphones. Also know that there are certain parts of the ZooLights loop that will be more triggering for kids with sensory processing disorders or sensitivities.

The steam train, located at the very end of the loop (just pass the Insect Zoo and tiger habitat), lets out an extremely loud blast when it parks and when it sets off again. And the light tunnel, near the Rainforest Plaza (and the bats), is very bright and stimulating.

13. Let kids run around on the playground

If you’re anything like me, when you go to ZooLights with kids you’ll say “Please don’t touch/lean on/pull the lights” an awful lot. It’s hard for kids to control all their little impulses, which is why you should plan on hanging out at the Oregon Zoo sculpture playground for a while.

Up the hill from the bats, kids can climb on stone bears, camels and rams. It’s well lit, thanks to a wall of lights, and it’s actually meant for kids (and aunties!) to use as a jungle gym. So let them go nuts!

Everything you need to know to visit ZooLights with kids

Now that you are prepped with all the tips to make your ZooLights visit a happy one, here are all your logistical questions, answered.

When is ZooLights 2018?

Portland ZooLights 2018 have already started! They run through January 5 but are closed December 24-25. Also, ZooLights becomes BrewLights for November 27-28, which is a 21+ event that includes local breweries and wineries.

ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo runs 5-9 most nights, except it is open 5-8pm on value nights. See the ZooLights calendar for details. Most animal habitats close at 8pm.

Is the carousel running at ZooLights?

Yes! (My kids and I love the carousel and go every time we visit the Oregon Zoo.) But the carousel is in a different place during this month, which totally threw me off!

The carousel is located between the Rainforest Plaza and the Discovery Plaza, right before the tiger habitat. Tickets are $3 ($2.50 for members), and you’ll save time by buying them with your ZooLights entry tickets.

Are there animals at ZooLights?

Yes, there are some animals at ZooLights! But remember that ZooLights happens at night (from 5-8 or 5-9pm, depending on the day), when the lights go on and animals go to sleep.

Animals you may get to see when you go to ZooLights with kids:

• mountain goats
• sea lions
• otters
• penguins
• elephants (inside Forest Hall, not in the open-air enclosure)
• big cats (in Predators of the Serengeti indoors; the outdoor lion enclosure isn’t lit)
• bats
• insects in the Insect Zoo

My girls were thrilled to see the bats so active. As my three-year-old exclaimed, “That’s ’cause they’re nocturnal!” See, Portland holiday events can be educational!

How long does it take to go through ZooLights?

It took us just over 1.5 hours to walk through ZooLights with kids, but we didn’t go to the elephant area. We also didn’t ride the train. If you plan on seeing everything, plus riding the train and carousel, plan on 2.5 hours to go through ZooLights.

Is there food at ZooLights?

Yes, though most options are what you might expect at zoo food carts: elephant ears, cotton candy, etc. There are also food carts at the Portland Zoo Lights—when we went, Verde Cocina, Olympia Provisions and a few other local restaurants had carts set up for actual meals. You can also eat at the Oregon Zoo restaurant at the zoo entrance (across from the mountain goats).

For adults, you can get beer, wine and spiked hot drinks several places throughout the zoo. Check out the Portland ZooLights map for these places, marked by a red circle with a wine glass.

So if you go to the Portland ZooLights with kids every year or are making this year your first, put this holiday event on your calendar. Now that you have all the info and hacks to make ZooLights a blast for the whole family, I know you’ll enjoy it!

If you’re looking for more ideas on family-friendly holiday activities in Portland, read my post on Portland holiday events 2018. I rounded up more than 20 festive activities for kids!