The Denver Zoo has been given a makeover for the holidays with its annual showing of the Zoo Lights.

From the Winter Wonderland to the North Pole, Zoo Lights has something for everyone. The event is open to all each evening from 5:30 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 3.

Dress warmly and enjoy a hot chocolate while strolling along the pathway lit with thousands of Christmas lights. The lights themselves are a spectacle to see. They are shaped like several different animals, from lions to polar bears, from flamingos to penguins. Some lights even resemble monkeys swinging back and forth on the tree branches overhead.

There’s a great deal for music lovers to enjoy as the atmosphere keeps the holiday spirit with festive holiday music playing along the pathways. They also feature live music, such as bell choirs, carolers and Christmas Choirs.

No holiday fun would be complete without St. Nicholas. The zoo provides a Christmas experience for young and old at the Santa meet-and-greet.

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, visitors can watch a sculptor chisel out a beautiful ice carving as he explains the process. There are currently sculptures of penguins and of a giraffe.

The number of animals outside is limited, although visitors can see the animals by attending the indoor viewings. The indoor viewings include animals such as giraffes and elephants. To escape the cold for a bit, the Tropical Discovery is a warm exhibit.

The zoo also provides animal lectures and feedings throughout the evening for the visitors to get a close-up of animals they wouldn’t have seen otherwise – such as the penguins and the polar bears.

Volunteer Harry Shriver gets right to the point: “Visitors should come to the Denver Zoo Lights to support the zoo and the animals.”

More information can be found on the Denver Zoo website.