PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Zoo’s annual ZooLights festival returns to Portland on November 20th, presented by U.S. Bank. The holiday event features shimmering life-size animal silhouettes, glittering forests of lighted trees and illuminated rides aboard the zoo train.
The seasonal light displays highlight the zoo’s wildlife conservation efforts alongside festive light installations. Prior to the main opening, the zoo hosts BrewLights on November 13th–14th, a 21-and-older event that pairs craft beverages and live music with the glowing zoo displays.
This year’s festival features a combination of new installations and returning favorites. Among the highlights is a display celebrating the Oregon Coast and its native marine life, including otters, seals, sea lions, urchins, sea stars and crabs. In the central plaza, illuminated panels showcase the zoo’s conservation work for species such as California condors, northwestern pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. Additionally, glowing wildlife lanterns depicting flamingos, beavers, bears and elephants line the train route…