SALISBURY Md. – The Salisbury Zoo is planning a December event designed for children and individuals who may struggle in typical holiday environments. The program, called Zoothing Lights, limits attendance and scales back visual and audio stimulation to create a calmer experience.
According to zoo officials, the initiative is intended for guests who benefit from reduced crowds, quieter settings, and slower paced activities. The zoo developed the event in partnership with Salisbury University’s Psychology Department. The two-hour program includes access to new light trails, a meeting with Santa Claus, and opportunities for children to make a small gift to take home. Staff will provide families with red film to cover handheld flashlights in order to reduce light intensity for animals along the walking route. Phone lights are not permitted, and only red filtered lights are allowed.
Zoo representatives say the effort supports the institution’s mission to offer recreational and educational opportunities in an accessible setting. The facility features paved walkways, boardwalks, and ADA compliant restrooms, characteristics that align with the event’s focus. Zoothing Lights is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Salisbury Zoo, located at 755 South Park Drive. Interested families can contact the zoo’s Guest Services Department for more details.
Photo: Salisbury Zoo Facebook page