Wild Winter Lights Presented by NOPEC turns Cleveland Metroparks Zoo into a holiday walking trail every winter, stringing more than 1.5 million lights across themed sections of the zoo for a season that typically runs mid-November through early January.
The zoo has not released 2026 dates, hours or ticket prices as of this writing. This page explains exactly what’s confirmed, what to expect based on the last several seasons, and how to plan your visit once the new dates go live — and it will update the moment the zoo makes an announcement.
Quick Answer
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has not announced 2026 dates, hours or prices for Wild Winter Lights yet. Based on the last several years, expect an announcement in late October with the walk-through trail running mid-to-late November through December 30, nightly from roughly 5 to 9 p.m. on select evenings, plus a drive-through add-on into early January. Advance walk-through tickets have run $24-$27 per person and drive-through passes $49-$59 per vehicle in recent seasons.
2026 dates: what we know and when to expect an announcement
As of this writing, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has not published 2026 dates for Wild Winter Lights. In each of the past several years the zoo has announced the upcoming season and opened ticket sales in late October, so an announcement around that same time is the most likely scenario for 2026 as well.
For planning purposes, the most recently completed season ran as a walk-through trail from November 18 through December 30, with a drive-through-only extension added for January 2 through 4 after strong demand sold out earlier nights. The zoo has extended the drive-through in multiple recent years, so a similar early-January add-on is plausible again, but nothing is confirmed for 2026. Nothing about a 2026 format change, new themed areas or pricing has been announced yet.
Hours
2026 hours haven’t been posted. In recent seasons, Wild Winter Lights has run nightly from about 5 to 9 p.m. on select evenings — the display doesn’t operate every single night of the season, so checking the official calendar for which dates are offered matters once tickets go on sale.
The event is not timed entry. Tickets are sold for a specific night rather than a specific entry window, so once you’re inside you can move through the trail at your own pace until close.
Planning your visit: tickets, pricing and parking
2026 ticket prices have not been posted. As a baseline, the most recent season priced advance walk-through tickets at $24 for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo members and $27 for nonmembers, or a four-pack at $70 (members) and $80 (nonmembers); children under 2 got in free. The separate drive-through experience ran $49 per vehicle for members and $59 for nonmembers and had to be purchased ahead of time rather than at the gate.
The pricing pattern has been consistent for several seasons: advance purchase is cheaper than buying at the box office the night of, and walk-up availability isn’t guaranteed on busy nights, especially weekends close to Christmas. Members save specifically on advance tickets, not on same-day purchases. Parking is on zoo grounds; arriving close to opening generally gets you a closer spot before the lot fills on peak nights. For the current season’s exact dates, hours and prices once announced, check the official Cleveland Metroparks Zoo site, which is the authoritative source and will replace this page’s TBD details.
Walk-through vs. drive-through: which to choose
Most of the season is sold as a walk-through experience, which covers the full trail and takes about one to two hours on foot, longer with photo stops, treats or a wait to see Santa. It suits families with kids of all ages and is the only way to see every themed section up close.
A smaller number of nights, usually concentrated at the very end of the run, are sold as drive-through only. That option suits anyone who’d rather not walk in the cold, has mobility limitations, or is traveling with very young kids or pets that can’t join the walking trail. Drive-through tickets are priced and sold separately per vehicle rather than per person, and have needed advance purchase in recent years rather than being available at the gate.
Lights, displays and Santa
In the most recent season, the zoo strung more than 1.5 million lights across themed sections including Colorful Forest, Magical Storybook, Glittering Galaxy, Swan Lake and Frosty Lane presented by Meijer. The route also included a Conservation Trail, a 50-foot holiday tree with a musical light show, model train displays, free carousel rides, costumed characters and Santa’s North Pole Lodge for photos with Santa.
The zoo has not said which displays will return for 2026 or whether new themed areas are planned, but the overall format — a lit walking trail through the zoo’s grounds with a Santa photo stop and a few interactive extras — has stayed consistent year to year.
Food, drinks and extras
Past seasons have offered hot chocolate, doughnuts from Jack Frost Donuts and treats from Kernels by Chrissie along the trail, plus a free carousel ride included with admission. The zoo hasn’t announced its 2026 food and beverage lineup, but the mix of seasonal treats and free rides has carried over from year to year, so expect something similar.
Tips for your visit
Once 2026 dates are announced, expect weeknights to be less crowded than weekends, with the busiest nights falling in the run-up to Christmas. Arriving close to opening tends to beat the heaviest after-dinner crowds.
Dress for cold: the trail is entirely outdoors, and Northeast Ohio winter evenings regularly drop well below freezing after dark. Strollers handle the paved paths fine. Budget one to two hours for the full walk-through route, and double-check the event calendar before you go, since the display doesn’t run on every date in the season and weather has prompted date or hour changes in past years.
Photos
Planning more than one? See every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
Folds into its own pocket. Pop it on when the storm rolls in and the rides reopen to short lines.
Keeps your phone strapped to you, not in a loose-article bin. Zip it before the lift hill and walk straight off the exit ramp.
Rapids, log flumes and splash zones without the rice-bag aftermath. The touchscreen still works through the window, so you can still take photos.
Wild Winter Lights 2026 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo FAQs
When is Wild Winter Lights 2026 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo?
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has not announced 2026 dates yet. As a guide, the most recent walk-through season ran November 18 through December 30, with a drive-through-only extension added January 2 through 4, nightly from about 5 to 9 p.m. on select evenings. An announcement is likely in late October based on past years.
How much are Wild Winter Lights tickets?
2026 prices haven’t been posted. Recently, advance walk-through tickets cost $24 for members and $27 for nonmembers ($70/$80 for a four-pack), and the drive-through cost $49 per vehicle for members and $59 for nonmembers. Check the official Cleveland Metroparks Zoo site for current pricing once it’s released.
Do you need to buy tickets in advance?
Yes, advance purchase is recommended and has historically been cheaper than buying at the box office the night of. Popular nights, especially weekends near Christmas, have sold out, so walking up without a ticket isn’t guaranteed to work.
Is Wild Winter Lights a walk-through or drive-through event?
Both, on different nights. Most of the season is walk-through, covering the full lit trail in one to two hours on foot. A smaller set of nights, typically at the end of the run, are sold as drive-through only, priced per vehicle.
Is Wild Winter Lights good for young kids?
Yes. The event is designed for families with kids of all ages, with a paved walking route suitable for strollers, a free carousel ride, costumed characters and a Santa photo stop. Families who’d rather not walk the full route in the cold can opt for a drive-through night instead.
What should I wear or bring?
Dress warmly in layers — the trail is entirely outdoors and Northeast Ohio winter evenings can be well below freezing. The paths are paved and stroller-friendly, so no special gear is needed beyond cold-weather clothing.
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