Hollie Colahan isn’t your typical animal-lover: Working at zoos from Houston to Orlando, Colahan has bottle-fed baby cheetahs and tended to agitated animals during hurricanes. Now, as the Denver Zoo’s large mammal curator, she helped facilitate a deal with the royal family of Qatar to bring a trio of young lions to Denver—the zoo’s first cubs since 2006.

The zoo is illuminated by more than 38 acres of lights and more than 200 animated animal sculptures for the annual wintertime traditon. Bring the whole family along with non-perishable food donations to receive $1 off your Zoo Lights admission. (Only one discount may be used per ticket.) Daily 5:30-10 p.m.

Single Denverites: Looking for some animal attraction? This weekend, skip the bar scene and head to the zoo for a different type of mating ritual. Dig into appetizers, go on a scavenger hunt with your pack, and meet other singles in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Sixteen lucky guests will be chosen for a 10 minute mini-date, dessert and exotic cocktails included.

The Denver Zoo’s Toyota Elephant Passage opens.