COLUMBIA – Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will open its gates for the 22nd annual Lights Before Christmas on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Guests can stroll the paths throughout the zoo and marvel at the nearly one million twinkling lights and countless handcrafted and animated images. They can also sing along to the Music in Motion Lights Spectacular, at its new location – in front of the giraffe exhibit – or cozy up to the fire and listen as seasonal stories are read aloud in the Congo Classroom.

New this year is the Holiday Card Walk, located in Safari Camp, featuring larger-than-life holiday cards created by school children. Also new is a candy cane garden, where eight towering candy canes will illuminate and dance to holiday tunes.

The lights will dazzle from 6-9 each evening until Jan. 3, with closings on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. General admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12.