Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo

Wildlights is billed as one of Ohio's favorite holiday traditions at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, with millions of LED lights and animated musical shows. Starlight Safari lines up seven larger-than-life animal sculptures, one for each region of the zoo. Also on the grounds: Holiday Magic light shows, a character meet-and-greet, s'mores and frosted nuts, Bricktopia LEGO builds by OhioLUG, a 12 Days of Wildlights train, a reindeer corral, the Oak Ridge Bears Jingle Jamboree, Jingle Jam, rides on the 1914 Historic Carousel, and the Dino Island Yule Tide Boat Ride. Arrive before 4 p.m. to see gorillas and orangutans; reindeer and tigers may stay outdoors, and indoor stops include manatees such as Stubby, bats, and hellbenders. Skip flashlights in habitats.

Our take: Arrive before 4 p.m. if gorillas or orangutans are the goal, then stay for the lights and keep flashlights out of animal habitats.