Discover an all new drive-thru Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo, running through Sunday, Jan. 10.

Made possible by Rhode Island Commerce’s HArT Recovery Grant Program, the month-long light festival features festive larger-than-life luminous displays and over 1.5 million illuminated lights.

Celebrate the magic of the season during this festive new holiday tradition. Immerse yourself in a dazzling display of lights throughout the zoo while staying warm and safe inside your car.

The trail will be open every night, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Gates will close at 10 p.m. Tickets are online sales only and sold for each half hour (time slots are arrival windows to the zoo and aren’t reflective of trail exploration times). Absolutely no tickets will be sold at the gate. Tickets cost $25 per vehicle; members $20 per vehicle. Tickets may be purchased at rwpzoo.org/holidaylights.

As Rhode Island’s number one outdoor family and tourist attraction, Roger Williams Park Zoo has felt the impact that COVID-19 has caused on the entire hospitality industry. In an effort to help our colleagues in the hotel industry and keep the zoo’s gates open, this year’s Holiday Lights Spectacular hopes to attract guests to stay in our state’s local hotels by offering them free tickets to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis when booking. Thanks to the Rhode Island HArT Grant Program, this 30-night festive light display offers the community a safe way to celebrate the holidays, while also supporting economic activity and local businesses.

“Even after reopening our gates, we have felt the major financial strain of COVID-19,” said Dr. Jeremy Goodman, executive director of Rhode Island Zoological Society/Roger Williams Park Zoo. “Our top priority is providing the specialized care for the over 800 animals at the zoo and keeping our staff and guests safe and healthy. Funds from this Holiday Lights Spectacular will not only help the Zoo get through the lean months of winter but provide support to local hotels as we venture through this rough time. I’d like to thank everyone at Commerce RI for making the HArT grant available and for working tirelessly with the hospitality industry throughout this crisis.”

“As both a major tourism attraction and an education facility, the Roger Williams Park Zoo is an essential element of what makes Providence special,” stated Kristen Adamo, president and CEO of Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We hope that people will plan a vacation or staycation around the Holiday Lights Spectacular by booking hotel rooms, enjoying top restaurants, and finishing their holiday shopping here in the Providence/Warwick area.”

Goodman added that the zoo is also grateful to the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau for their continued support. “As one of the state’s leading tourism resources, the PWCVB has been an indispensable partner to our work over the years. We want to thank Kristen and her dedicated team for the ongoing assistance they provide our Zoo and other Rhode Island businesses, especially during a year when our community needed it most.”

For the safety of all guests, staff, and our animals, it is asked that all guests adhere to the following:

Large commercial or oversized vehicles, motorcycles, open side vehicles, and recreational devices (bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc.) are not permitted, nor are busses.

Minivans and pickup trucks are permissible.

No honking! Maximum speed 2-3 mph. No passing.

Guests may not exit their vehicle during the duration of the tour.

Tailgates, doors, and hatchbacks must be closed.

Objects may not be thrown out of a vehicle’s window.

Smoking and alcohol are not permitted within the zoo.

The Holiday Lights Spectacular is open rain or shine. No refunds or rescheduling. Visit www. rwpzoo.org/holidaylights or the zoo’s Facebook page for updates.