New Year’s. A perpetual struggle. Bar? House party? Fancy grown-person fondue dinner? Do you try to see everyone you love who lives in the same area code or do you spend it splayed on a fake bearskin rug with someone you like seeing naked? There are no good answers, which is why most of us spend the countdown ankle-deep in slush wearing someone else’s shoes desperately trying to find a cab. BUT MAYBE IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS, BECAUSE MAYBE YOU CAN SPEND YOUR NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH ZOO ANIMALS.

The Toronto Zoo is throwing a family New Year’s event from 5pm-8pm on the 31st (that’s right, you can spend New Year’s at the zoo and still make it to your roommate’s sister’s Great-Gatsby-themed cocktail soiree). If you have littles in your life, this is a great way to spend some quality time with them over the holidays. (Or, hey, give some parents you know the chance to have a romantic NYE dinner by taking their kids to the zoo for a few fun hours.) There will even be a special early countdown for the kids!

Tickets are $20 for grown-types, and $12 for kids ages 3-12. Children 2 and under are free (but you’re still going to have to get them a ticket). You can purchase tickets and find more info here. 

Special thanks to the Toronto Zoo for giving me an excuse to look at this photo of rhinos wearing party hats in a professional capacity.