There’s a new way to stay cozy during your visit to ZooLights.
New this year, the Oregon Zoo is offering private rentals of “Snow Globes.” The clear plastic, circular tents fit six people and come heated and fully furnished with holiday decor, comfy chairs and a couch. Located in the “Discovery Zone” section of the park, the four Snow Globes offer a warm retreat during a ZooLights visit.
“We just launched these about a week ago,” said Kelsey Wallace, an Oregon Zoo spokesperson. “They have been really popular. We actually added two more because there’s so much demand for these.”
Snow Globe rentals are $300. Each 60-minute rental comes with a private fire pit, hot cocoa for six in a ZooLights souvenir cup, s’mores packets for everyone, and a fast-pass train ticket that allows you to skip the line for the ZooLights train.
Beer, wine, churros, elephant ears and donuts are also available to purchase from the comfort of the Snow Globe.
Last year, more than 220,000 people visited ZooLights, the after-hours walking tour through the zoo to see more than 1.5 million twinkling lights, many in the shapes of flora and fauna that one might find at the zoo.
ZooLights runs nightly through Jan. 6, except on Christmas Day.
If you want to beat the crowds, Wallace suggests visiting after Dec. 26. And the closer you can arrive to 4:30 p.m., the smaller the crowds and the shorter the wait to ride the train.
To rent a Snow Globe, visit oregonzoo.org/snow-globe.
Snow Globe rentals do not include ZooLights admission, which is $24 for children and $29 for adults. (Low-income families and zoo members can receive discounted rates.) Purchase tickets online at oregonzoo.org/lights.