The bright lights could be from Las Vegas.

"We're talking over a million lights,” Rachel Nelson, Lowry Park Zoo’s spokeswoman.

Upon arrival, you'll quickly notice the families pouring in. Wild Wonderland at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is an after-hours event, instilling the spirit of the season in visitors, no matter the weather.

"We transform the Zoo into a wintry wonderland,” Rachel said.

Even here in Florida, there is snow.

"We have flurries!” Rachel exclaimed. “There is a 100 percent chance of snowfall every night. At Wild Wonderland, we have Florida flurries in different spots."

The snowfall at Wild Wonderland may cause some to break out and dance.

"Even with a chill in the air, it feels like Christmas,” Rachel admitted.

Several areas of the Zoo are transformed into scenic strolls. Here, holiday stories as old as time jump off the page and come to life in three dimensional scenes. Theatrical lighting add to the sets where "Visions of Sugarplums" come to life.

"This is a very interesting place to see dazzling decorations all over the zoo,” Rachel believed.

Travel inside the porthole to the Frozen Forest and find the mistletoe waiting above. Inside a lighted wonderland awaits where zoo animals glow. And speaking of frozen animals, Penguins from the South Pole are up late.

Not to be outdone by visitors from the North Pole, reindeer, complete with antlers are resting before their big night light.

Plus, no trip to the Lowery Park Zoo during the holiday season is complete without a ride on the Jungle Carousel. The Carousel featuring galloping Zoo animals joins several other rides that are all part of admission.

"It is a wonderful opportunity to experience some of the joys of the holiday season here in our normally tropical climate,” Rachel concluded.

Tankful on Television
Live in a Bright House? You can catch new Florida on a Tankful stories each Thursday through Sunday on News 13 and Bay News 9. New editions play at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m. and run through the afternoon.