Christmas at the Zoo, presented by Indiana Members Credit Union, turns the Indianapolis Zoo into a glowing winter wonderland from November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Evening festivities begin daily at 5 p.m., and guests can wander twinkling light displays, sip hot cocoa by the firepits, and visit cold-weather animals like red pandas, penguins, walrus and arctic foxes while they’re most active. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and in 2026 it’s again offering two sensory-friendly evenings, on December 2 and December 16, with reduced lights, sound and crowds for guests who need a calmer visit.
It’s an easy add-on for anyone already planning a zoo trip during the holidays, since there’s no separate ticket to buy on top of admission. Families with young kids tend to enjoy the slower pace and the heated Santa’s Magic Cottage, while couples and photographers often come for the lights and the quieter late-week evenings. Most visits run two to three hours depending on how long the Santa’s Magic Cottage line runs, and tickets are purchased online for a specific visit date using the zoo’s date-based dynamic pricing rather than a fixed gate price.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Indianapolis Zoo
- City: Indianapolis
- State: Indiana
- Dates: November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed Thanksgiving, Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31 and Jan 1)
- Hours: Festivities begin nightly at 5 p.m.; closing time varies by night, so check the event calendar
- Tickets: Included with regular zoo admission; free for Zoo members. General admission is dynamically priced and during the event’s run has listed at roughly $28.75 to $35.75 for adults and $25.75 to $32.75 for children ages 2-12, with the lower end tied to earlier purchase and less busy dates
- Timed entry: Tickets are tied to a specific visit date, not a specific entry time
- New for 2026: Not announced; returning highlights include Santa’s Magic Cottage and the two sensory-friendly evenings
What’s new for 2026
The Indianapolis Zoo hasn’t announced any new displays or attractions specifically for the 2026 run of Christmas at the Zoo. The event returns with its established lineup: the heated Santa’s Magic Cottage where kids can meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, and the two sensory-friendly evenings on December 2 and December 16, 2026, which dim lights and lower sound for guests who find the regular event overwhelming. Indiana Members Credit Union remains the presenting sponsor, and IMCU cardholders can skip to the front of the Santa’s Magic Cottage line Monday through Thursday if they arrive before 5 p.m.
The lights and displays
Christmas at the Zoo layers twinkling holiday lights over the zoo’s regular pathways and exhibit areas rather than building a separate light-tunnel attraction, so the lights and the animals share the spotlight. Evening visitors get to see cold-hardy species like red pandas, penguins, walrus and arctic foxes while they’re typically more active in the cooler air. Santa’s Magic Cottage is the event’s signature indoor stop, giving families a warm place to meet Santa and his crew and take photos.
Tickets, prices and member nights
There’s no separate ticket for Christmas at the Zoo; it’s included with regular zoo admission, and Indianapolis Zoo members get in free any night of the run. General admission runs on date-based dynamic pricing, and during the event’s Nov 21 to Jan 3 window, listed prices have ranged from about $28.75 to $35.75 for adults and $25.75 to $32.75 for children ages 2-12, with the lower end of each range tied to less busy dates and earlier online purchase. Buying online ahead of your visit date is cheaper than paying at the gate. Nonmember parking has historically run around $10 for a standard vehicle and $20 for large vehicles like RVs, but confirm the current rate on the official site before you go.
Food, drinks and extras
Hot cocoa service around outdoor firepits is one of the signature small pleasures of a Christmas at the Zoo evening. Indoor dining options inside areas like the Oceans exhibit and Deserts pavilion give guests a warm place to eat on colder nights, and the zoo’s regular seasonal food and drink offerings, including specialty cocktails for adults, are typically available during event hours. Rides and animal encounters that cost extra the rest of the year carry the same add-on pricing during the holiday event.
Tips for your visit
Weeknight evenings, especially Sunday through Thursday, tend to be calmer and cheaper than Friday and Saturday nights, and arriving right at 5 p.m. gives you first crack at the Santa’s Magic Cottage line before it builds. Plan for two to three hours if you want to see the animals, do the lights at a relaxed pace and wait for Santa. Indianapolis winters are cold and the event happens entirely outdoors between exhibits, so dress in layers and wear warm boots. Strollers are welcome and most pathways are paved and accessible, but check ahead if snow or ice is forecast since the zoo can adjust hours for severe weather. If you or a family member finds crowds, lights or noise overwhelming, the December 2 and December 16 sensory-friendly evenings are worth planning around.
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Christmas at the Zoo 2026 at the Indianapolis Zoo FAQs
When is Christmas at the Zoo 2026?
Christmas at the Zoo runs from November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027 at the Indianapolis Zoo, with festivities beginning nightly at 5 p.m. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
How much are Christmas at the Zoo tickets in 2026?
There’s no separate ticket. Christmas at the Zoo is included with regular zoo admission, which uses date-based dynamic pricing that during the event’s run has listed at roughly $28.75 to $35.75 for adults and $25.75 to $32.75 for children ages 2-12. It’s free for Indianapolis Zoo members, and buying online in advance is cheaper than paying at the gate.
Do you need to buy Christmas at the Zoo tickets in advance?
Advance purchase isn’t strictly required, but buying your date-specific admission online ahead of time is usually cheaper than paying at the gate and helps you avoid lines, especially on busy Friday and Saturday nights.
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Photo: IU Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.