Holiday Magic turns Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s grounds in Brookfield, Illinois into a nighttime display of LED lights, illuminated animal sculptures and light tunnels. For the 2026 season the festival runs on select nights from November 21 through January 3, 2027, with the zoo open from 3 to 9 p.m. on event evenings: November 21-25 and 27-29, December 3-6, 10-13 and 17-23, December 26-31, and January 1-3, 2027. It is billed as Chicagoland’s longest-running holiday lights festival; no new displays have been announced yet for this season, so plan on the event’s established favorites.
The event suits families with young kids as well as couples looking for a low-key night out, and most visitors budget two to three hours to see the light tunnels, giant animal displays and nightly entertainment. Admission is sold separately from daytime zoo tickets. A timed entry window is not enforced at the Main-North Gate, but buying online in advance is the easiest way to guarantee a spot on busy nights, and guests entering through the South Gate must reserve both admission and parking ahead of time.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Brookfield Zoo Chicago
- City: Brookfield
- State: Illinois
- Dates: Nov. 21-25, 27-29, Dec. 3-6, 10-13, 17-23, 26-31, 2026 and Jan. 1-3, 2027
- Hours: 3-9 p.m. on event nights (zoo opens at 3 p.m. for Holiday Magic)
- Tickets: From $29.95 for adults, with lower youth and senior pricing; free for Zoo members at the Main-North Gate; prices can rise on peak nights, so check the event calendar
- Timed entry: Not required at the Main-North Gate; required, with a parking reservation, at the South Gate
- New for 2026: Not announced
What’s new for 2026
Brookfield Zoo Chicago has not published a list of new 2026 displays as of this writing, so check brookfieldzoo.org/holidaymagic closer to opening night for any additions. In the meantime, the festival is built around its long-running centerpieces: illuminated light tunnels, oversized animal sculptures, and lit and decorated trees around the zoo’s main malls and fountain areas.
The lights and displays
Holiday Magic covers the zoo’s walkways and malls with LED lights for the 2026 season, including light tunnels synchronized to holiday music and oversized illuminated animals. Nightly entertainment on event evenings typically includes seasonal performances, ice carving demonstrations and roaming carolers throughout the grounds; check the event calendar for the specific lineup on the night you plan to visit.
Tickets, prices and member nights
2026 admission starts at $29.95 for adults, with lower pricing for children and seniors; check the event calendar for the exact rate on your chosen night, since prices can rise on peak nights such as the week of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Zoo members get in free, but only through the Main-North Gate; entering through the South Gate requires a paid reservation and parking fee for everyone, members included. Because Holiday Magic is ticketed separately from daytime zoo admission, buying online ahead through brookfieldzoo.org/holidaymagic is the safest way to lock in a preferred night, especially during the final week of December.
Food, drinks and extras
Zoo restaurants and food stands stay open during Holiday Magic with seasonal treats such as hot cocoa alongside their regular menus. A few experiences cost extra beyond general admission, such as photos with Santa and select rides; check the event calendar for which add-ons are running on a given night.
Tips for your visit
Weeknights in the early and mid-December stretches tend to draw smaller crowds than the opening weekend and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Dress warm, since the event runs outdoors regardless of temperature, and check brookfieldzoo.org/holidaymagic before heading out for any weather-related delays or closures. Parking and entry are simplest through the Main-North Gate, where members park free; the paved walkways are stroller-friendly throughout. Plan on two to three hours to see the lights, catch the nightly entertainment and warm up with a hot drink.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
A fan and a mist in one, rechargeable. Very popular in queue lines once the afternoon sun hits.
Build a working coaster on the kitchen table and learn why the first drop has to be the tallest. A good gift for young coaster fans.
Over 3,700 pieces, a real vertical loop and a working chain lift. Display it on a shelf in the coaster room.
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago FAQs
When is Holiday Magic 2026 at Brookfield Zoo Chicago?
Holiday Magic runs on select nights from November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027: November 21-25 and 27-29, December 3-6, 10-13 and 17-23, December 26-31, and January 1-3, 2027, from 3 to 9 p.m. each night.
How much are Holiday Magic tickets in 2026?
Tickets start at $29.95 for adults, with lower pricing for children and seniors; prices can rise on peak nights, so check the event calendar for the exact rate. Zoo members get in free through the Main-North Gate; entry through the South Gate requires a paid reservation and parking fee for everyone, including members.
Do you need to buy Holiday Magic tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are not required at the Main-North Gate but are recommended, especially for busy nights. Advance tickets and a parking reservation are required for everyone entering through the South Gate.
Get More from Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Want the day’s theme park news in your inbox? Subscribe to ThrillZing Daily — free.
Photo: Derek Taylor / CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.