Glow in the Wild is Toronto Zoo’s after-dark lantern walk, running from September 3, 2026 through January 3, 2027, primarily Thursday through Sunday nights (a preview opening took place September 2), with the zoo at 2000 Meadowvale Road lit up well past the holiday season into early January. Entry times run between 6:00 pm and 9:15 pm depending on the date and season, and the walk closes about an hour after the last entry. This is a newer production for the zoo, following earlier night walks like Terra Lumina, with a roughly 1.5-kilometre route through the Americas, Australasia and Core Woods zones plus a lantern installation about the endangered Blanding’s turtle made with an Indigenous artist.
The event suits families, photographers and anyone who likes a slower, walkable light display rather than a drive-through one; most visits take about 60 to 90 minutes to cover the full route at a relaxed pace. Entry is timed: guests pick a specific date and entry slot when buying tickets online, and advance purchase is strongly recommended since popular nights and weekends sell specific time slots that can fill up.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Toronto Zoo
- City: Toronto
- State: Ontario, Canada
- Dates: September 3, 2026 to January 3, 2027, Thursday to Sunday (closed December 24 and 25)
- Hours: Timed entry between 6:00 pm and 9:15 pm depending on date, check the event calendar
- Tickets: Adult (13-64) $38, Senior (65+) $33, Child (3-12) $27, child 2 and under free, plus tax; Toronto Zoo members get an exclusive discount at checkout
- Timed entry: yes
- New for 2026: Blanding’s turtle lantern display developed with an Indigenous artist
What’s new for 2026
The headline new piece for this season is a lantern installation focused on the endangered Blanding’s turtle, created in partnership with an Indigenous artist to tell a conservation story through light art. The zoo has also added a temporary TTC shuttle (Route 200) between Meadowvale Loop and the zoo during event hours, running about every 10 to 15 minutes, which is new infrastructure built specifically around this event.
The lights and displays
The self-guided walk covers roughly 1.5 kilometres through the zoo’s Americas, Australasia and Core Woods areas, with more than 2,000 handcrafted lantern displays along the route, about 90 percent built from recyclable materials. Expect large-scale animal and nature-themed lantern sculptures, interactive photo moments, and the Blanding’s turtle feature display. The zoo has not published an exact light or bulb count beyond the lantern figure, so stick to that number rather than any larger estimate.
Tickets, prices and member nights
2026 tickets are priced at $38 for adults (13-64), $33 for seniors (65+), and $27 for children (3-12), with children 2 and under admitted free, all plus applicable tax. Pricing is tied to a specific date and timed entry slot rather than varying night to night with dynamic pricing, though popular weekend dates may sell out faster. Toronto Zoo members receive an exclusive discount by entering their membership email at checkout, and members were also given early access to book before tickets opened to the general public. Parking is a separate $20 charge and is not included with admission; tickets are sold online through the zoo’s website and are separate from daytime zoo admission.
Food, drinks and extras
Select food and beverage locations inside the zoo stay open during Glow in the Wild hours, though which stands are open can vary by date and weather. The zoo has not published a detailed menu or specific extra-cost add-ons for this event beyond standard concessions, so check the day-of information when you arrive if you’re planning to eat on site.
Tips for your visit
Arrive close to your booked entry time since admission is timed to specific slots, and build in about 60 to 90 minutes to walk the full 1.5-kilometre route at an easy pace. Weeknights (where the event runs) tend to be calmer than weekend dates closer to the December holidays, which sell out faster. Dress warmly since this is an outdoor winter walk in Toronto, where November and December evenings regularly sit near or below freezing; wear boots with grip since the path may be icy. The route is mostly flat and paved, which works for strollers, and wheelchair rentals, wagons and sensory bags are available on site. If you’re driving, budget the separate $20 parking fee, and remember the event is closed on December 24 and 25.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
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Glow in the Wild 2026 at the Toronto Zoo FAQs
When is Glow in the Wild 2026 at Toronto Zoo?
Glow in the Wild runs from September 3, 2026 through January 3, 2027, Thursday through Sunday nights (with a preview opening on September 2), and the event is closed on December 24 and 25.
How much are Glow in the Wild tickets in 2026?
Tickets are $38 for adults (13-64), $33 for seniors (65+), and $27 for children (3-12), plus tax, with children 2 and under free. Parking is a separate $20. Toronto Zoo members get an exclusive discount at checkout.
Do you need to buy Glow in the Wild tickets in advance?
Yes, tickets are timed entry for a specific date and entry slot, and the zoo recommends booking ahead since popular dates can sell out.
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Photo: Reid Bros. / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.