PHOTOS: Actor Gilles Marini Kicks Off WildLights

Film and television star Gilles Marini was on hand with his two children in Palm Desert Wednesday for the opening of WildLights at the .

 Marini, who has appeared on "Dancing With The Stars," "Brothers and Sisters", "Switched At Birth" and "Sex And The City," took part in a lighting ceremony with his children, Georges and Juliana.

Just before the ceremony, Marini, who lives in Studio City, took a ride on the zoo's carousel ride.

"I finally have a chance ot be with my kids and do something different and special with them," he said, with a thick French accent.

The family spent the day in the Palm Springs-area riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and going behind the scenes at the Living Desert, he said.

Marini and Santa Claus were on hand to switch on the lights to ring in the holidays.

The lights display features more than 750,000 lights and is open weekends through Dec. 31, Living Desert spokeswoman Nyla Patzner said.

WildLights includes live music, activities, a "Holiday Express'' trackless train ride designed after a 19th-century steam engine, carousel rides, food and themed shows.

For more information or tickets, visit www.livingdesert.org.