Edmonton Valley Zoo light festival back for 13th year 

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A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

A sneak peek at Zoominescence, the light festival at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, on Nov. 28, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

The Edmonton Valley Zoo is bringing back its winter light festival for a 13th year.

This year, Zoominescence will feature seven new pieces by local artists alongside new and old animal-themed lights. Tammy Wiebe, executive director of the Valley Zoo Development Society, said the event has come a long way since its inception.

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“When we started 13 years ago, it was five ice sculptures that I decorated with the event co-ordinator at the zoo,” she said on Friday. “So this is maybe a little bigger than we thought we’d get, but we’re absolutely thrilled.”

Educational animal talks are being held each night of the festival while visitors enjoy the lights.

“We know it’s a big part of family traditions … we get to educate people about the important work done here at the zoo, and we get to share some local artists,” Wiebe added.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Sean McClune