Introducing Dallas Zoo Lights, a Bright New Holiday Celebration

The Dallas Zoo will debut a new seasonal tradition starting this November, hosting its inaugural holiday celebration – Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant. This kicks off a three-year relationship with the electricity and home services provider as the signature sponsor of the Dallas Zoo Lights event.

Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant will transform the Dallas Zoo into a winter wonderland with nearly one million twinkling lights that illuminate the night sky throughout the holiday season.

Spanning 33 select nights from Nov. 17 through Jan. 2, guests can stroll along a path that covers 25 acres within the Zoo, enjoying an array of light-wrapped trees, overhead and hanging light displays, lighted 2-D decorations, and fantastic 3-D light sculptures. Various lighted vignettes throughout the Zoo will give you the feeling of being transported from an African watering hole within the Zoo to a holiday candy land at the North Pole.

"We are thrilled to announce we're teaming up with Reliant to bring a distinctive event like Dallas Zoo Lights to the community this holiday season," said Gregg Hudson, Dallas Zoo president and CEO. "This is an opportunity for everyone to experience the Zoo in a whole different light, and we're so grateful Reliant is joining forces with us to start this new holiday tradition. From the dazzling light displays to the nightly holiday entertainment, we're excited to share our holiday spirit with guests from near and far."

Designed as an event for all ages, Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant will feature:

• holiday music performances,
• a special holiday light show set to music, running multiple times during the evening,
• tasty winter treats for kids and adults (including gourmet donuts, cookies, hot chocolate, and holiday crafted adult beverages),
• crafts and activities for the kids,
• great locations for fun holiday family photos, and
• a carousel and mini-train rides, each lit up by holiday lights.

"The holidays are one of our favorite times of year at Reliant. That's why we're excited to bring a new family tradition to Dallas with Zoo Lights," said Elizabeth Killinger, president of Reliant. "No one knows how to light up the night like Reliant, and we look forward to Zoo Lights bringing out the very best of the holiday season."

Beginning Nov. 17, Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant is open every Friday through Sunday, as well as select weeknights. The event will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25. This unique holiday event is free with regular Zoo admission, meaning guests can come during the day to walk around and see the animals, and stay for the holiday celebration at night for no additional charge. Guests can also come just for the lighted holiday festivities, which are scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening of Dallas Zoo Lights. A special Dallas Zoo Lights event calendar will be available soon on DallasZoo.com with details about dates, nightly entertainment, and other activities, so you can plan your visit.

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YouTube: youtube.com/user/DallasZooTube

Web: DallasZoo.com

About the Dallas Zoo: The Dallas Zoo is dedicated to conservation and saving wildlife and wild places. Named one of the nation's Top 10 Zoos by USA Today, it is the largest zoological experience in Texas. The zoo has been accredited continuously by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for 32 years, and features a 106-acre park, thousands of animals, and an education department that offers programs for all ages. The zoo is located at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35 at Marsalis) and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit DallasZoo.com or call 469.554.7500.

About Reliant: Reliant brings electricity, smart energy solutions and home services to business and residential customers across Texas. Reliant is part of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), a Fortune 500 company that is at the forefront of changing how people think about, buy and use energy. Backed by a diverse portfolio of nearly 140 power generating facilities that can support millions of homes and businesses nationwide, NRG's retail companies, including Reliant, deliver electricity and home security services and serve almost 3 million customers in 10 states and the District of Columbia. NRG retail brands collectively are the largest providers of electricity in Texas. For more information about Reliant products and services, please visit reliant.com and connect with Reliant on Facebook at facebook.com/reliantenergy and Twitter @reliantenergy. PUCT Certificate #