Exclusive holiday happy hours for the 21-and-up crowd highlight L.A. Zoo Lights’ “Tamales and Tequila” on Thursday, Dec. 14.

(photo by Jamie Pham)

The evening features a “skip-the-line” express entry to L.A. Zoo Lights at 6 p.m., with a private lounge from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. including gourmet hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and a signature cocktail, after which guests are welcome to experience L.A. Zoo Lights until closing at 10 p.m. Tickets for holiday happy hour are $75 per person and $70 for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members.

At “Tamales and Tequila,” sponsored by VIVA XXXII Tequila, enjoy chicken tamales with salsa verde; vegetarian tamales; Spanish rice and beans; pork pozole verde; and anise and cinnamon churros and Mexican wedding cookies.

The signature cocktail is prickly pear margarita, with VIVA XXXII Tequila, lime and desert pear syrup.

L.A. Zoo Lights captivates guests for an ideal family outing, meet-up with friends or date night, offering a self-guided 60- to 90-minute walking tour through a large area of the zoo. While most animal residents are asleep, visitors can enjoy the only opportunity in Los Angeles to see a herd of real reindeer in their “Reindeer Village” habitat. Other live animals on view are a multitude of amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles in the LAIR, which also boasts black-lit “insects” scurrying above the rock walls.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located 5333 Zoo Drive. For information, visit lazoo.org.