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Ring in the New Year with an Early, Family-Friendly Countdown at the Cincinnati Zoo 

Happy Zoo Year fun includes 4 million lights, games, glow goodies, and more! 

CINCINNATI, OH (December 29, 2022) – Ring in the new year with some party animals at the Cincinnati Zoo’s 14th annual Happy Zoo Year celebration powered by Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers. On December 31, visitors can enjoy all that PNC Festival of Lights has to offer plus games, glow goodies, music from DJ Kay/Q102, and a kid-friendly early countdown at 8pm. 

Photos | Video (2022 in Review) 

“It’s always a fun celebration, especially for people who prefer to be in bed before midnight,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard.  “And it will be about fifty degrees warmer than it was last weekend!”  

The Happy Zoo Year celebration will take place during PNC Festival of Lights from 5-9 p.m. (Closing time is 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). Most of the activities, including the early countdown, will take place in Vine Street Village, but the 4 million LED lights are spread throughout the Zoo. 

“Santa will be gone, but there’s still plenty to do,” said Maynard.  “It’s a great opportunity for those who received memberships as a holiday gift to come out and see why PNC Festival of Lights has been voted Best Zoo Lights by USA TODAY’s readers five years in a row! Memberships are on sale through 12/31.” 

The spectacular lights are the main attraction during PNC Festival of Lights. Visitors coming to see animals should come earlier in the day or visit indoor habitats such as World of the Insect, Manatee Springs, and Night Hunters during the evening hours.   

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursdays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during PNC Festival of Lights. The new electric train starts running daily at 2:30 p.m.   For more information visit www.cincinnatizoo.org.   

PNC Festival of Lights runs through January 8, 2023.  Penguin Days start January 9 and feature deeply discounted admission and Penguin Parades on select days.  Zoo hours will shift back to 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. For more information, visit cincinnatizoo.org.