This year marks The Valley Zoo Development Society’s 12th hosting of Zoominescence, where displays of scintillating light fixtures cover the Edmonton Valley Zoo to illuminate the dark winter nights.
Zoominescence 2024, presented by The King’s University, is driven with a purpose to unite communities during the cold season; winter can be an isolating time for many people as the nights grow longer and the freezing weather shuts down large parts of the city. Through the creation of Zoominescence, the Edmonton Valley Zoo offers visitors an inclusive space for all animal lovers to experience during the winter days. The Valley Zoo Development Society recognises how stressful the lead-up to the New Year can be; Christmas preparations and family activities can quickly drain what little time people have available. To allow all who wish to visit the opportunity, the Valley Zoo Development Society hosts Zoominescence for a total of 24 days, accommodating those with chaotic schedules to visit and enjoy the festive fun!
Zoominescence’s appeal is not limited to a single element; it glitters with many attractive features such as an ice skating rink, reindeer talks, light installations, art creations, and ice sculptures. Zoominescence pulls out all the stops to create a spectacular occasion for all those who love the winter season. While the festival presents a vast selection of activities to enjoy, Zoominescence’s standout quality is its night time operation. Aside from a select few events throughout the year, the Edmonton Valley Zoo typically closes its gates to the public in the later afternoon. During Zoominescence, however, the zoo exclusively runs at night, presenting visitors with a new way of enjoying the park trails and animal exhibits. Many of the animal species at the zoo behave differently at night – nocturnal creatures awake from their slumber and many other animals venture from their indoor enclosures to join the festive spirit.
Regardless of whether the winter season brings you joy or frostbite, Zoominescence is an experience for all to enjoy. We hope you plan to experience the winter magic of Zoominescence; the Edmonton Valley Zoo promises a festive time for visitors of all ages and a relaxing break from holiday stresses. Be sure to dress warmly and prepare for fun! We would love to welcome you and those you care about to experience the glow and festivities of Zoominescence!
