The Winter Light Spectacular returns to the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, for its 13th year, running from Friday, November 13, 2026, through Saturday, January 2, 2027. The zoo strings 1.7 million lights along its paths, and this season adds a Candy Land zone, a Gingerbread Junction, and an enhanced version of its Whoville display on top of returning favorites. Nightly hours vary by date, so check the calendar before you plan a visit.
The event suits families with young kids, couples looking for a low-key holiday outing, and anyone who wants Santa photos or costumed character meet-and-greets without theme-park crowds. Plan on one and a half to two hours to walk the full route, warm up at a fire pit, and catch a performance. Tickets are sold in timed, two-hour entry windows and are best purchased online in advance.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Lehigh Valley Zoo
- City: Schnecksville
- State: Pennsylvania
- Dates: November 13, 2026 to January 2, 2027 (37 nights, check the calendar for closures)
- Hours: Vary by night, generally 5 to 9 or 5 to 10 p.m.; check the calendar
- Tickets: General admission $16 adults / $14 ages 2-11 in advance (more at the gate); VIP $35 adults / $32 children in advance; zoo members get a discounted VIP rate; $13 opening night (Nov 13) general admission
- Timed entry: yes, two-hour entry windows
- New for 2026: Candy Land, Gingerbread Junction, enhanced Whoville, and new 21+ Spirit Stations
What’s new for 2026
This season adds three new pieces to the route: Candy Land, Gingerbread Junction, and a bigger, enhanced version of the zoo’s Whoville display. The zoo also introduces Spirit Stations, where guests 21 and older can buy adult drinks alongside the usual holiday treats, available every night. VIP ticket holders get expanded access to Animal Mingles, a chance to meet zoo animals and the education team, offered Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The lights and displays
The zoo says its 1.7 million lights add up to more than any other attraction in Pennsylvania. The route covers classic holiday scenes and animated light displays, plus the Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard, which stays open nightly until 8 p.m. so guests can see some animals after dark. Live character performances run every night, with princesses such as Elsa, Anna, Ariel, and Rapunzel rotating through, plus select nights themed around Star Wars, Marvel, and Toy Story characters. Santa is available for photos on select dates through December 23.
Tickets, prices and member nights
General admission costs $16 for adults and $14 for ages 2 to 11 when bought online in advance, with a few dollars more at the gate; kids under 2 get in free, and parking is free. Opening night, Friday, November 13, drops advance general admission to $13 for adults and children. Limited VIP tickets run $35 for adults and $32 for ages 2 to 11 in advance and include access to the Jingle Lodge Lounge, a souvenir tumbler with unlimited hot chocolate, and Animal Mingles. Lehigh Valley Zoo members get a discount on the VIP tier, down to roughly $29 for adults and $27 for children. Groups of 20 or more can book at $13 per ticket, dropping to $12 per ticket for groups of 100 or more. All tickets are sold in timed, two-hour entry windows through the zoo’s online ticketing partner, and popular nights sell out, so buying ahead is worth it for both price and availability.
Food, drinks and extras
Fire pits line the route for warming up, and hot chocolate and s’mores are part of the standard visit. The new Spirit Stations let guests 21 and older add adult drinks to their night. VIP ticket holders get a souvenir light-up tumbler with unlimited hot chocolate refills and a s’more kit as part of their package. Meet-and-greets with Santa and costumed characters run on a rotating nightly schedule, with some dates built around Marvel, Star Wars, or Toy Story visits.
Tips for your visit
Weeknights and early-season dates tend to draw smaller crowds than weekends and the stretch right before Christmas, so a Tuesday or Wednesday visit usually means shorter lines at photo stations. Dress warmly since the whole display is outdoors and Pennsylvania evenings in late November and December run cold; bring hand warmers if you plan to stay the full two hours. The route works for strollers and wheelchairs, and the zoo offers sensory inclusion hours on select nights for guests who prefer a quieter visit. Parking is free, but arrive close to the start of your ticket window since the lot can fill on busy nights. Check the WLS calendar on the zoo’s site for exact hours and any closures before you head out, since the schedule shifts by date.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
Rapids, log flumes and splash zones without the rice-bag aftermath. The touchscreen still works through the window, so you can still take photos.
Cheaper than the $15 poncho at the gift shop and you get a whole bag. Toss one in every backpack for water rides and pop-up storms.
Soak, snap and drape. A cooling towel takes the edge off a 45-minute midday queue in July.
Winter Light Spectacular 2026 at Lehigh Valley Zoo FAQs
When is Winter Light Spectacular 2026?
Winter Light Spectacular runs for 37 nights from Friday, November 13, 2026, through Saturday, January 2, 2027, at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. Hours vary by date, so check the calendar at the zoo’s website.
How much are Winter Light Spectacular tickets in 2026?
General admission costs $16 for adults and $14 for ages 2 to 11 when bought online in advance, with a bit more added at the gate. VIP tickets run $35 for adults and $32 for children in advance, and Lehigh Valley Zoo members get a discounted VIP rate. Opening night, November 13, offers $13 general admission tickets in advance.
Do you need to buy Winter Light Spectacular tickets in advance?
Yes. Tickets are sold in timed, two-hour entry windows through the zoo’s online ticketing partner, and popular nights sell out. Buying online in advance also costs less than paying at the gate.
Get More from Winter Light Spectacular 2026 at Lehigh Valley Zoo
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Winter Light Spectacular 2026 at Lehigh Valley Zoo, 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: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.