WildLanterns returns to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle for the 2026 holiday season, running November 13, 2026 through January 17, 2027, nightly from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. with last entry at 8:30 p.m. For 2026 the event is built entirely around a new seven-continents theme, ‘From Antarctica to Africa: A World of Discovery Awaits,’ with all-new custom lantern displays covering Antarctica, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, Europe, South America and underwater coral reef scenes, plus a new Interactive Zone built for kids.
WildLanterns suits families with young kids as much as couples looking for a lantern-lit evening out, and most visitors plan on one to two hours to walk the trail and stop at the Interactive Zone and ZooStores. Entry is timed: guests pick a specific date and arrival window when they buy tickets. Buying online in advance at zoo.org/wildlanterns is the easiest way to lock in a preferred night, but the zoo’s FAQ confirms tickets can also be bought in person at the zoo gate, subject to availability, so advance purchase is recommended rather than strictly required, especially on busy nights.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Woodland Park Zoo
- City: Seattle
- State: Washington
- Dates: November 13, 2026 to January 17, 2027
- Hours: 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. nightly, last entry 8:30 p.m.
- Tickets: Timed-entry tickets are on sale now at zoo.org/wildlanterns or in person at the zoo gate, subject to availability; members save 20%, and an early-bird discount applies through October 31, 2026. Exact per-night price tiers are shown at checkout and vary by date
- Timed entry: yes, but tickets can also be bought in person at the gate, subject to availability
- New for 2026: All-new custom lantern displays built around a seven-continents theme, plus a new Interactive Zone for kids
What’s new for 2026
The headline change for 2026 is the theme itself: Woodland Park Zoo replaced prior years’ displays with all-new custom lanterns organized around ‘From Antarctica to Africa: A World of Discovery Awaits,’ walking guests through lantern scenes representing all seven continents plus an underwater coral reef section. A new Interactive Zone aimed at children is also part of the 2026 trail, alongside returning extras like Private Snow Globes and Zoomazium Nightlights.
The lights and displays
Expect Antarctica scenes with penguins and orcas, African savanna animals, Asian snow leopards, Australian marsupials, North American bears and European meadow scenes, each rendered as illuminated lantern sculptures along the trail. The Interactive Zone gives kids a hands-on stop along the route, and Zoomazium Nightlights offers a dimmer, quieter indoor space with gentle sounds and themed nightly activities for guests who want a break from the main trail.
Tickets, prices and member nights
Tickets are timed entry, meaning you choose a specific date and arrival window. Most guests buy online at zoo.org/wildlanterns, and the zoo’s FAQ notes tickets are not redeemable for a different evening once purchased (rescheduling is possible up to five days after your original date, subject to price differences). Tickets can also be purchased in person at the zoo gate, subject to availability, for guests who did not book ahead. Zoo members get 20% off General Admission ticket prices, and the zoo ran an early-bird discount of 30% off from August 24 through September 30, 2026, stepping down to 10% off from October 1 through 31, 2026; check the event calendar for current per-night pricing since it is not a flat rate. Parking runs $10 at standard lots and $15 at the premium Otter and Lion lots after 3:30 p.m. on event evenings, plus taxes and fees; the member parking discount does not apply during WildLanterns.
Food, drinks and extras
The Frosted Glass bar serves snacks and festive holiday cocktails for guests 21 and over, and the West and South ZooStores stay open during event hours for shopping. Private Snow Globes are a bookable, extra-cost add-on, discounted when purchased during the early-bird window. Outside food is allowed, but outside alcohol is not.
Tips for your visit
Low Sensory Nights (November 15, December 1 and January 10) dial back sound and flashing lights for guests who need a calmer visit, and Zoomazium Nightlights offers a quiet indoor option any evening. Night Owls, a 21+ evening with seasonal cocktails, runs November 20, December 18 and January 2 and requires its own ticket and ID. Seniors 65 and older get 40% off on the Holiday Senior Stroll, November 22. Dress warm since the trail is entirely outdoors in Seattle’s wet winter weather, and check the closure calendar before you book: WildLanterns is dark on November 16 to 18, 23, 26 and 30; December 7, 14, 24 to 25; and January 4 to 6 and 11 to 13. Buying online ahead of time guarantees your preferred night since popular dates can sell out and in-person purchase is subject to whatever availability remains.
Explore more: 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.
WildLanterns 2026 at Woodland Park Zoo FAQs
When is WildLanterns 2026?
WildLanterns runs November 13, 2026 through January 17, 2027 at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, nightly from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. with last entry at 8:30 p.m. It is closed on several dates around Thanksgiving, Christmas and early January, so check the event calendar before you book.
How much are WildLanterns tickets in 2026?
WildLanterns uses timed-entry tickets with pricing that varies by date, shown at checkout on zoo.org/wildlanterns. Zoo members save 20%, and the zoo offered an early-bird discount of 30% off through September 30, 2026, stepping down to 10% off through October 31, 2026.
Do you need to buy WildLanterns tickets in advance?
No. Tickets are timed entry, so you select a specific date and arrival window, but the zoo’s official FAQ confirms tickets can also be purchased in person at the zoo gate, subject to availability. Buying online ahead of time is still the safer option on popular nights since dates can sell out.
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Photo: The Ninjaneer / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.