Photos: Make the Holidays Furry and Bright at Dallas Zoo Lights

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Dallas Zoo, meaning that not only can you walk around the sprawling campus without sweating profusely, but you can also stay past sunset and enjoy Dallas Zoo Lights.

On Thursday evening, the Dallas Zoo, the Reliant Energy armadillo and Santa Claus flipped the switch to over 2.5 million glittering holiday lights. According to the zoo, it has expanded the annual light show to nine zones, which include Neon Ocean Adventure and Destination Dinosaurs.

Now in its ninth year of bringing holiday cheer, the Dallas Zoo has introduced some new perks for zoo-goers. Guests can now purchase combo tickets for an additional $10 on top of the regular zoo admission. The combo ticket allows entry as early as 2:30 p.m., so you can explore the zoo and see the wildlife during the day, and watch the park transform into a holiday wonderland as the sun sets. General admission for just the lights experience starts at $18.

For the kiddos (and parents — who are we to judge?), Santa will be on-site to take photos and gift requests. Tread carefully, though. When we stopped by, Santa repeatedly attempted to trick people into saying “reindeer poop,” which obviously lands unsuspecting folks on the naughty list. We saw many a child and parent fall from grace. We doubt this mild infraction will hold much weight when it comes to getting gifts versus coal, though.

While the entire zoo will be lit up and perfect for photo opportunities, there is one new experience that may be the most Instagrammable spot at the zoo. This year, there are four Luxury Holiday Igloos that guests can rent out. Each igloo fits up to six people and is outfitted with cozy, themed decor. Add-ons for various food and drink pairings are also available. The “luxury” in the name is not just for show, either. The price for a 90-minute reservation is a bit steep at $200 for non-members and $180 for members. Adding food and drink pairings to the experience raises the price tag to up to $275 for non-members and $250 for members. Those prices can vary depending on the type of food and drink pairing you choose.

However, if you want to experience the cozy igloos and save on food, the zoo allows guests to bring in coolers. Outside food and drink are permitted, but guests are not allowed to bring in alcohol or glass containers. The caveat to bringing your own cooler is that there’s nowhere to store it, so take that into account if you plan on exploring the zoo before or after your reservation.

Even though the sun is setting earlier and 7 p.m. is starting to feel like bedtime, don’t let it trick you into calling it a night; the lights only allow for more chances to get in the holiday spirit.