Let there be light! Santa Barbara Zoo hopes new ZooLights attraction will “illuminate” community spirit this holiday season

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Let there be light!

That is, if you're coming to the Santa Barbara Zoo.

From the African plains to whimsical butterflies, the Santa Barbara Zoo is transforming into a winter wonderland of sorts.

For the first time, thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns will illuminate everywhere.

Organizers say the new Zoolights attraction has been years in the making.

The 55 larger-than-life-size animal and wildlife installations feature thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns.

And they glow with more than 50,000 LED bulbs.

The illuminated lanterns showcase animal and nature scenes that represent wild places from around the world.

The zoo hopes Zoolights will give the community a new holiday tradition to enjoy.

“Adding our first annual event we hope it’s gonna be something that I guess you’re gonna love it’s gonna be the same tradition for the holidays they will keep coming back," said business operations director David Velazquez of the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Zoolights kicks off on Nov. 3 for the next two months.