Cosley Zoo launches annual Festival of Lights

Those who live in or near Wheaton won’t have to go far to enter a winter wonderland this holiday season.

Cosley Zoo recently launched its annual Festival of Lights, which gives visitors a chance to see the zoo lit up by thousands of twinkling lights.

“It looks beautiful, and it’s become a tradition for lots of folks around here,” Zoo Director Susan Wahlgren said.

Every day through the end of December, visitors can tour the zoo and buy a fresh Christmas tree or wreath. (The types of tree available include Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Scotch pine and Balsam.) At 3 p.m., decorative lights come on throughout, adding a dose of picturesque holiday warmth to the setting.

In addition, the zoo will host special events during the next two Saturdays, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10: “Santa’s Craft Corner,” which gives children a chance to visit with Santa and work on craft projects with their parents. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday.

Wahlgren said she expects anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 people to visit the zoo during the course of the Festival of Lights.

On Sunday afternoon, Naperville resident Steven Billingsley and his son, Kyle, stopped by the zoo to look at the trees and take in the holiday cheer.

“We’ve come here before,” Billingsley said. “I like the atmosphere, with the lights and everything. It’s a nice thing to do right after Thanksgiving.”

The Festival of Lights, in its 28th year, will run 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more details, go to cosleyzoo.org.