I realize each year as I am taking down the tree, outside lights and decorations that I am truly happy to see Christmas go. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it — it’s just that we have to try to fit in so much, in such a short period of time. It’s exhausting.
That’s why I appreciate the fact that ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo goes on until Jan. 9. I can peruse the lights and truly enjoy myself, without thinking of what I still need to purchase, wrap or bake. Our evenings are open, instead of having an activity (or two!) every night. There also seems to be fewer people. (We like to go later, which helps with the crowds anyway.)
This year the new attraction is the Polar Slide. It’s a 200-foot run that makes you feel as if you are sledding down a fast hill. I opted to be official “stuff watcher” while Evan and the kids went down. The all enjoyed it, although there was some screaming from Mylan, but she admits she screams on any ride!
A game my family and I like to play is “spot familiar light sculptures.” Each year the displays change, so we try to find our favorites and see where they have been relocated. We always look for the scorpion and the dragon. This year we noticed an alien. We’ll have to add that one to the list for next year.
One of our favorite spots is the Music in Motion Dancing Trees. We usually come up at the end of one show, grab a seat on a bench and wait for the next show to begin. It is amazing to watch the lights flash and the colors change in sync with the music. I am always in awe of how they wrap the lights around each branch!
So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot chocolate and bask in the glow of the largest light show in the state — without any of the holiday stress!