PORTLAND, Ore. -- More than a million bright bulbs are illuminating the zoo during the 21st annual ZooLights festival, which began Saturday.

A swan seems to come to life as part of Zoolights. (Photo courtesy: Oregon Zoo)

This family tradition, presented by The Boeing Company, features life-size animal silhouettes and moving light sculptures on display throughout the zoo.

Families can expect to see their old favorites as well as some new surprises - including unicorns, dinosaurs and an animated, roaring lion in honor of the upcoming Predators of the Serengeti exhibit, scheduled to open in 2009.

Other new displays include dinosaurs, a baby elephant and a California condor chick.

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Many of the lights this year will be made up of LED's, which use about a tenth of the power of normal iridescent bulbs.

"Every year, the zoo presents a stunning display of light and color," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "I know many people in our community eagerly anticipate ZooLights, and look forward to seeing the many new touches we add each year. It's so gratifying to know the zoo has become an important holiday tradition to so many families."

The entry plaza transports guests to Bremen, Germany, with a glowing replica of its statue depicting the four farm animals from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "The Bremen Town Musicians." As folks work their way from the plaza down the boardwalk, they'll encounter classic ZooLights scenes such as leaping reindeer and tobogganing polar bears.

A right turn from the boardwalk deposits guests at the wheels of the famous Oregon Steamer train, decked out in luminous finery for a holiday express jaunt around the zoo.

Visitors can continue on through Tiger Plaza to meet up with Dorothy, Toto, the Cowardly Lion, and the good and wicked witches from the Land of Oz, relocated this year via a revamped cyclone in lights near the zoo's Trillium Creek Family Farm.

Life-size, three-dimensional beasts linger on the zoo's concert lawn, which has been transformed into a 180-foot-long meandering river of light. Hippos graze near the water while crocodiles lie in wait, ready to snap their jaws on unsuspecting prey. From above, an African fish eagle swoops down and scoops fish from the river.

Music fans can also enjoy the highly animated light silhouette of Mick Jaguar, who performs near the picnic area with his all-star animal band: Packy Pachyderm tickling the ivories, Richard Lion playing guitar, Gerri Giraffe on bass, Billy Bear on trumpet, Orville Orangutan on drums and Willy Wildebeest on sax. The Ostrich Sisters add backing vocals.

Live music will resound throughout the zoo as well, with more than 100 schools, churches, professional groups and local dance troupes performing holiday musical selections.

Popular costumed characters and elves will greet zoo visitors and pose for pictures. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer joins Buddy Beaver, Honey Bear, Eliza Elephant, Lulu Lemur, Nate the Eagle, Rock E. Goat, Sandy Sea Otter and Titus Tiger as they mingle among guests. Some of the zoo's animals will also be visible, including mountain goats, elephants, primates, and pettable sheep and goats.

The Cascade Grill serves a holiday buffet on select nights and offers a limited menu on evenings when the buffet is not available. AfriCafe and food carts throughout the zoo will provide holiday treats and warm beverages every night during ZooLights.

ZooLights package tickets, which include admission and a train ride, are $10 for adults (12-64), $8.50 for seniors (65 and older), $7 for children (3-11), and free for children 2 and under. For additional information, visit www.oregonzoo.org.