PNC’s ‘LumiNature’ Winter Light Show Illuminates Philadelphia Zoo

“You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Story, photos by Sharon Kozden

Watts up, Philadelphia Zoo? A hellota (it’s a word, according to Urban Dictionary!) twinkling and sparkling that runs until Saturday, January 6 is watts up!

Know this: If you’re planning to check out PNC’s return of LumiNature, a wintertime light show featuring more than a million lights across 16 illuminated zones, it is presented “with timed entrance tickets available every half hour from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with the experience closing at 9:00pm or 10:00pm depending on visit date. Pre-purchase your timed tickets and make reservations at PhiladelphiaZoo.org.”

The spectacle of lights and more opened Friday, November 17th. I attended Sunday evening as a guest during one of two designated Media and Influencer Nights, beginning my Christmas adventures even before Thanksgiving Day arrived. Typically, I’m a stickler about not giving Thanksgiving the short shrift by introducing green and red before the yellow, orange and browns are stored. That said, I’ve not yet experienced LumiNature and wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to do so. Compromise. It’s a Thing.

My plus-one flaked, alas. But it was for a good reason: the final two dogs she was grooming weren’t yet finished, and I didn’t want to wait only to have to drive in the deep dark (it was a 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. scheduled event). Timing event logistics isn’t my strong suit. I’d love to be able to summon Uber rides on the casual; however, rides prices into the city from my home in Gladwyne ’round about that time are $30 each way. Ouch, and hard no to that.

I arrived at dusk, which made me happy. I could actually see to park, see to walk and loved some of the photos I got before full-on darkness descended. That seeing business is nothing on the Philadelphia Zoo and everything to do with my own fear-factor about nighttime driving on unfamiliar routes or areas.

The early arrivers’ line wasn’t bad at all. In seemingly no time, I passed through entrance turnstiles, made my way to the Media-designated table and received a very warm welcome at check-in along with a necklace of colored Christmas lights (big bulbs like those from my childhood!) with some five or six flash settings, a bottle of water, two tickets for drinks and a yummy, chocolate-y sweet treat from Insomnia Cookies.

But wait! I also was given a pass for parking on exit. Nice. I was so impressed with the ease of everything and the thoughtfulness and consideration that went into making the event so lovely and memorable. Oh, and I told them as much to boot. Well done, PR Santa and Philadelphia Zoo!

Fitted with a wristband and stocking-stuffer gifts, I took off, allowing the light displays to lead me. Stationed along the way, “light performers” donned in animal-themed costumes delighted aglow. Since I was flying solo that evening, I liked that the performers were not only willing but genuinely enthusiastic about honoring requests to snap selfies at multiple staged photo-op stations.

So many installations caught my attention! Whoever thought about placement did a great job because I never felt overwhelmed or as if I’d missed anything. No need to backtrack nor zigzag. I followed the straight and non-narrow with nary a directional difficulty. The lights led the way with perfect spacing and pacing.

I captured about sixty photos during the evening, which you can view just below this text. Walk my way, pictorially, that is–but don’t not finish the article and skip to the photos, as that’s cheating. Writers are sensitive gits; skipping ahead would hurt my feelings. I imagine readers as plus-ones accompanying me during such explorations and escapades.

Apparently, two of the luminary zones are new for 2023: Shimmer River and LumiNature Lane. Fan favorites such as the Kiddie Train and more are back as well. Since this was my inaugural attendance year, everything was new to me. I saw beaucoup de glimmering installations, spectacular performance artists en masse, fields of flickering dreams, shimmering skies when looking up and even a “NEW sparkling light waterfall and a shimmering vine wall featuring 20,000 lights.”

What really thrilled me was the moon’s participation that night! It was LumiNature ft. the Moon by Ma Nature. Best New Artist! I tried to capture this celestial body in as many photos as possible, so if you notice the glowing orb, it’s there by, well, nature, design and certainly by intention.

Wending my way along the path and beneath gigantic floating jellyfish on high, I meandered through a pinky-pink candy-cane lane, sauntered past multi-colored icebergs and giant light balloons with advert displays for the zoo and tip-toed through a gleaming jungle tunnel into a world of alighted creatures (rhinos and gorillas and tigers, oh my!), one of which was performer Mr. Rhino. Blooming flowers abounded. A towering blue gorilla seemed to watch me in passing.

I spied an immense snowflake that led me toward the firepits and tables of Samba, where one could indulge in S’mores Kits, hot apple cider and hot chocolate, spiked or straight up, then traipsed through an exhibit known as Our Neck of the Woods, which is actually a very special Christmas Tree farm of sorts, featuring trees decorated by various groups and organizations worth investigating.

Magic. Wonder. Inspo. It’s all there. Onliest thing: the animals aren’t, although they are safely tucked into their respective lairs, waiting until the light of day to meet-greet you.

I used one of my drinky-drink tickets for a hot chocolate spiked with Kahlua coffee liqueur. It was delicious, warm and velvety. At the Lion’s Lair Cocktail and Spirits, I cashed in my second ticket for a spiked hot apple pie (cider) concoction, another winner. Nibbling my cookie for sustenance, I made a second loop along the pathway to ensure I hadn’t missed anything. No doubt I did but not by much. Detail is my jam.

During this “I Believe” time of year, wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone could be inspired by this stellar light show in the peaceable kingdom of animals … “to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world?” What a glorious present that would be for 2023 and beyond.

As I exited the zoo, several folks headed to the entrance complimented my lighted necklace. I made a note to wear the festive accessory to any and all upcoming holiday events hosted by my host a.k.a. PR Santa a.k.a. Kory Aversa of Aversa PR & Events.

And I heard myself exclaim, ere I drove into the night, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a luminescent night.”

Shine on you crazy diamond. Sharon Kozden shimmers in her PINK Floyd pants at the Philadelphia Zoo.