There’s no doubt that this holiday season is looking a lot different here in Washington. The good news is, there is still plenty of fun, festive ways to get into the holiday spirit. And not all of the changes are negative. The Woodland Park Zoo would typically be gearing up for another WildLights adventure this time of year. Instead, they’ve debuted a brand new lantern festival — and it’s amazing.

Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo has been delighting Washingtonians with exotic creatures for over a century.

mayccm2018 / TripAdvisor The award-winning zoological garden also hosts quite a few annual events and festivals (in every year that is not 2020.)

This year, the zoo announced the debut of WildLanterns - a bright, beautiful, brand new lantern festival.

Woodland Park Zoo The festival debuted on November 13, and you’ll have until January 17 to see it.

Begin the adventure by strolling through the Living Northwest Exhibit, which features animals most of us are familiar with.

Woodland Park Zoo Grizzly bears, mountain goats, eagles, and other PNW creatures are found here.

Your journey then continues on to the Jungle Lights exhibit, where you’ll find lanterns of some of the most elusive creatures, like snow leopards.

Woodland Park Zoo / Facebook Afterward, you’ll comb the depths of the SeaMazium exhibit and pass plenty of sea creatures before heading to the African Savanna exhibit to check out giraffes, zebras, and more.

The plan to replace WildLights with WildLanterns actually began last year, before any of us knew what 2020 would bring.

Woodland Park Zoo / Facebook After seven years of WildLights, the team at the zoo thought it was time to mix things up a bit. Fortunately, they’ve found a way to do it all safely.

Due to current restrictions, capacity will be limited… but that just means you’ll have plenty of space to explore when you go.

Woodland Park Zoo / Facebook However, to limit the number of guests inside the zoo at any given time, you must purchase your timed tickets online in advance. Make sure to arrive early, but wait inside your vehicle until about five minutes before your start time. Face coverings are required for anyone over the age of 5.

The holiday season may not look the same this year, but it can still shine as brightly as ever.

Woodland Park Zoo / Facebook Tickets for WildLanterns are $28.95 for adults and $23,95 for children (kids 2 and under are free).

Doesn’t this event look beautiful? Learn more about WildLanterns and get your tickets here.

mayccm2018 / TripAdvisor

The award-winning zoological garden also hosts quite a few annual events and festivals (in every year that is not 2020.)

Woodland Park Zoo

The festival debuted on November 13, and you’ll have until January 17 to see it.

Grizzly bears, mountain goats, eagles, and other PNW creatures are found here.

Woodland Park Zoo / Facebook

Afterward, you’ll comb the depths of the SeaMazium exhibit and pass plenty of sea creatures before heading to the African Savanna exhibit to check out giraffes, zebras, and more.

After seven years of WildLights, the team at the zoo thought it was time to mix things up a bit. Fortunately, they’ve found a way to do it all safely.

However, to limit the number of guests inside the zoo at any given time, you must purchase your timed tickets online in advance. Make sure to arrive early, but wait inside your vehicle until about five minutes before your start time. Face coverings are required for anyone over the age of 5.

Tickets for WildLanterns are $28.95 for adults and $23,95 for children (kids 2 and under are free).

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Address: Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, USA