Glow Wild is Nashville Zoo’s new holiday light show, running nightly from November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027, from 5pm to 9pm at the zoo’s Grassmere campus in Nashville, Tennessee. It replaces Zoolumination, the zoo’s previous Chinese lantern festival, which was canceled for 2026 after visa issues kept the visiting artisan team from completing the build. For 2026 the zoo partnered with Montreal-based Immersive Productions on an entirely new, domestically produced show built around illuminated wildlife structures, lit walkways and holiday displays, anchored by an 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree at Holiday Square.
Glow Wild suits families and couples looking for a few hours of walk-through holiday scenery rather than a full daytime zoo visit; most guests plan on one and a half to two hours to see the displays, visit Santa, and grab a seasonal drink. The zoo recommends buying tickets online ahead of a visit, though official pages do not state that timed entry is mandatory, so it’s worth checking current availability before heading out.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
- City: Nashville
- State: Tennessee
- Dates: November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Hours: Nightly, 5pm to 9pm
- Tickets: $27 single-night; $39 Platinum Pass (unlimited visits); members save $5 on single-night tickets; children under 2 free
- Timed entry: Not clearly stated; advance online purchase recommended
- New for 2026: Glow Wild itself is new, replacing the canceled Zoolumination lantern festival with a show produced by Immersive Productions
What’s new for 2026
Glow Wild is entirely new for 2026. Nashville Zoo canceled its longtime Zoolumination lantern festival this year after visa issues kept the Chinese artisan team from completing the build, then partnered with Montreal-based Immersive Productions to create Glow Wild in its place. Rather than the lantern format Zoolumination used, the new show is built around illuminated wildlife structures, lit pathways and holiday displays, with an 85-foot-tall Christmas tree and synchronized light display as the centerpiece at Holiday Square.
The lights and displays
Expect illuminated wildlife structures and lit walkways throughout the zoo’s grounds, holiday displays at stops along the route, and the centerpiece 85-foot Christmas tree with its synchronized light show at Holiday Square. Select animal exhibits stay open for nighttime viewing during the event. Santa visits nightly from Friday, November 27 through Thursday, December 24 at Holiday Square on Festival Field.
Tickets, prices and member nights
Single-night admission is $27 per person, with zoo members saving $5 off that price. A Platinum Pass, good for unlimited visits across the run, costs $39. Children under 2 get in free. Tickets are sold through nashvillezoo.org; the zoo encourages buying online in advance, and official materials don’t specify mandatory timed entry, so check the ticketing page for current availability before you go. Parking costs $10 and is free for zoo members and Platinum Pass holders.
Food, drinks and extras
Seasonal food and holiday beverages are available along the event pathways, including spiked and regular hot cocoa, beer, margaritas, specialty cocktails, coffee and soda. Quills Café & Grill and Screaming Gibbon Pizza Kitchen stay open for the event, alongside classic festive snacks served until around 8pm. The Smashville Ice Rink, presented by the Nashville Predators, is a paid add-on at $12 for non-members and $10 for members, including a skate session and rentals.
Tips for your visit
Weeknights in early and mid-December tend to be quieter than weekends and the nights around Christmas, when Santa’s visit draws bigger crowds; arriving close to the 5pm opening gives the best shot at shorter lines for food and the ice rink. Plan on one and a half to two hours to walk the full route. Tennessee winter evenings get cold, so dress in layers and wear warm footwear for the outdoor walk; strollers are allowed on the paved paths. Check the zoo’s event calendar before heading out, since outdoor holiday events can adjust hours for severe weather.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
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Glow Wild 2026 at Nashville Zoo FAQs
When is Glow Wild 2026 at Nashville Zoo?
Glow Wild runs nightly from November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027, from 5pm to 9pm at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.
How much are Glow Wild tickets in 2026?
Single-night tickets are $27 per person, with zoo members saving $5. A Platinum Pass for unlimited visits is $39, and children under 2 are free.
Do you need to buy Glow Wild tickets in advance?
The zoo recommends buying tickets online ahead of your visit, but official materials don’t state that timed entry is required, so check current availability on nashvillezoo.org before you go.
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Photo: NashvilleZoo / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.