Zoo lights and botanical garden light shows run from mid November into early January, and this page lists every one ThrillZing has a full guide for, sorted by state. Each row links to the event guide with the verified 2026 dates, ticket prices, what is new and tips for the visit.
Dates and prices come from each venue’s official event page. Most light shows sell timed tickets, many charge more on weekends and the nights before Christmas, and members often pay less or get their own nights, so check the event calendar before you pick a date. Events still waiting on official 2026 dates are added as soon as the venues announce them.
At a Glance
- Events listed: 46
- States and provinces: 24
- Last updated: October 2026
Holiday Light Shows in Arizona
2 events in Arizona: Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Noches de las Luminarias: A Holiday Escape at Desert Botanical Garden | Desert Botanical Garden | Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 16-23 and 26-31, 2026, plus Jan. 1-3, 2027 | Adults: members $37.95-$42.95, general $39.95-$44.95; children 2-17: members $16.95, general $18.95 (dynamic pricing by night) |
| ZooLights | Phoenix Zoo | November 25, 2026 to January 15, 2027 | $35 general admission, $30 for Zoo members, with a $10 Member Monday rate (limited to six tickets) on select Mondays |
Holiday Light Shows in California
4 events in California: Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles Zoo, Oakland Zoo, San Diego Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enchanted: Forest of Light | Descanso Gardens | November 22, 2026 to January 9, 2027 (closed Nov 26 and Dec 25) | Timed general admission $12 to $52 depending on date, age and membership (members: adults $22-$45, children $12-$30; non-members: adults $29-$52, children $19-$37); Anytime tickets $65 members / $85 non-members |
| L.A. Zoo Lights | Los Angeles Zoo | November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027 (select nights; closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 14-16, 24-25, 31, and Jan 4-7) | Start at $19; members save up to 50% |
| Glowfari | Oakland Zoo | November 6, 2026 – January 31, 2027 (closed Nov 9, 10, 16, 17, 26; Dec 24-25; Jan 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26) | General tickets go on sale October 20, 2026 with plan-ahead dynamic pricing; exact 2026-2027 dollar amounts had not been posted as of this writing, members save 10% |
| Jungle Bells | San Diego Zoo | December 18, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed December 24) | Included with admission: $78 adult / $68 child (3-11) any day, $73 / $63 on value days; included with membership |
Holiday Light Shows in Colorado
2 events in Colorado: Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blossoms of Light | Denver Botanic Gardens | November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027 (closed Nov. 26 and Dec. 25) | Prices not yet announced as of October 2026; members get early presale access and discounted pricing |
| Zoo Lights | Denver Zoo | Select nights, November 23, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | Value nights $25.95 adults/seniors, $18.95 youth; Regular nights $29.95 adults/seniors, $22.95 youth; under 2 free; members save 10% |
Holiday Light Shows in District of Columbia
1 event in District of Columbia: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZooLights | Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, select nights; check the event calendar | $10 per person (ages 3+, kids 2 and under free); Adults-Only Night Dec 16 is $19; advance parking $30, day-of $40 |
Holiday Light Shows in Florida
1 event in Florida: ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas in the Wild | ZooTampa at Lowry Park | November 27 to December 30, 2026 (select nights, check the event calendar) | General admission after 4pm starts at $34.95; free for members and Zoo Fun ticket holders; Holiday Signature Encounters are on sale soon with separate member and non-member pricing |
Holiday Light Shows in Illinois
3 events in Illinois: Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Chicago Botanic Garden, The Morton Arboretum.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago | Brookfield Zoo Chicago | Nov. 21-25, 27-29, Dec. 3-6, 10-13, 17-23, 26-31, 2026 and Jan. 1-3, 2027 | 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 |
| Lightscape | Chicago Botanic Garden | November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (select nights) | Adults from $26 (members) / $29 (nonmembers); children ages 3-12 from $14 (members) / $16 (nonmembers); prices rise on Saturdays and holiday dates |
| Illumination | The Morton Arboretum | November 14, 2026 to January 2, 2027 | Adult general admission from $17.60 for members and $22 for nonmembers; dynamic plan-ahead pricing means exact cost varies by date. EBT/WIC cardholders pay $10 adult / $5 child |
Holiday Light Shows in Indiana
2 events in Indiana: Fort Wayne Zoo (formerly Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo), Indianapolis Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Lights at the Fort Wayne Zoo | Fort Wayne Zoo (formerly Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo) | November 13, 2026 to January 2, 2027, select nights (2025: November 28, 2025 to January 4, 2026) | $12 general, $10 members, same as the 2025 standard rate (2025 also had an early-bird rate of $10 general/$8 members through Nov. 9, 2025) |
| Christmas at the Zoo | Indianapolis Zoo | November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed Thanksgiving, Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31 and Jan 1) | Included with regular zoo admission; free for Zoo members. General admission is dynamically priced and during the event’s run has listed at roughly $28.75 to $35.75 for adults and $25.75 to $32.75 for children ages 2-12, with the lower end tied to earlier purchase and less busy dates |
Holiday Light Shows in Massachusetts
1 event in Massachusetts: Stone Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZooLights | Stone Zoo | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) | Dynamic Plan-Ahead Pricing that changes daily; exact dollar amounts not published, so check the event calendar for your date. EBT/WIC cardholders pay $10 per ticket (up to 4), groups of 20+ pay $12 per person (excludes Saturdays and Thanksgiving weekend), members get a separate discounted member ticket link |
Holiday Light Shows in Michigan
1 event in Michigan: Detroit Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Lights | Detroit Zoo | Nov 21, 22, 27-29; Dec 4-6, 10-23, 26-31; Jan 2-3, 2027 (closed Dec 24-25 and Jan 1) | $17-$25 online ($15.30-$22.50 for members); $27 at the gate ($24 for members); Total Experience Package $60 ($54 for members) |
Holiday Light Shows in Missouri
1 event in Missouri: Saint Louis Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Lights presented by Commerce Bank at Saint Louis Zoo | Saint Louis Zoo | Select nights, Nov. 27 to Dec. 30, 2026 | $16 members, $19 general admission; free for children 0-23 months |
Holiday Light Shows in New York
2 events in New York: Bronx Zoo, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Lights | Bronx Zoo | November 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027 (select nights) | $14.95-$29.95 on date-specific days; $27.95-$42.95 for any-night passes, by age; members save 25% |
| Lightscape | Brooklyn Botanic Garden | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | Value Nights $29 adult / $15 child; Off-Peak $39 adult / $22 child; Peak $44 adult / $28 child; members pay less on Off-Peak ($33 adult / $17 child) and Peak ($37 adult / $20 child) dates; ages 0-2 free |
Holiday Light Shows in North Carolina
1 event in North Carolina: Daniel Stowe Conservancy (formerly Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden).
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holidays at the Garden | Daniel Stowe Conservancy (formerly Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden) | Select dates Nov. 28 to Dec. 30, 2026 (check the event calendar for exact nights) | $24 to $33 depending on ticket type and night; members save 15% |
Holiday Light Shows in Ohio
5 events in Ohio: Akron Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Toledo Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Lights | Akron Zoo | November 20, 2026 to December 27, 2026 (select nights, including Nov 20-21, 27-28, Dec 4-5, 11-13, 18-23, and 26-27) | $20 to $27 adults, $16 to $23 children (2-14), members $16 to $23 adults and free for member children; prices rise closer to each date |
| PNC Festival of Lights | Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden | November 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 24 and Dec 25) | Included with zoo admission; dynamic pricing around $9-$26 adult and $6-$20 child/senior depending on date, members included with membership |
| Wild Winter Lights Presented by NOPEC | Cleveland Metroparks Zoo | 2026 dates TBD (2025: Nov. 18 to Dec. 30 walk-through, drive-through extension through Jan. 4) | TBD (2025: $24-$27 walk-through advance, $70-$80 four-pack, $49-$59 drive-through per vehicle) |
| Wildlights | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26, and Christmas Day, Dec 25) | Included with general admission, starting at $24.95 adult/Franklin County resident to $34.95 adult/non-resident online; also sold at the admission window on arrival; free for Columbus Zoo members |
| Lights Before Christmas | Toledo Zoo | 2026 dates TBD (2025: Nov 21, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026) | TBD (2025: around $27-32 for non-member adults, members required reservations with separate member pricing) |
Holiday Light Shows in Oklahoma
1 event in Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Lights | Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden | November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | Walk-Thru from $10 (members) / $14 (nonmembers) per person; Drive-Thru Combo from $45 (members) / $60 (nonmembers) per vehicle, includes 4 walk-thru passes |
Holiday Light Shows in Ontario, Canada
1 event in Ontario, Canada: Toronto Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glow in the Wild | Toronto Zoo | September 3, 2026 to January 3, 2027, Thursday to Sunday (closed December 24 and 25) | Adult (13-64) $38, Senior (65+) $33, Child (3-12) $27, child 2 and under free, plus tax; Toronto Zoo members get an exclusive discount at checkout |
Holiday Light Shows in Oregon
1 event in Oregon: Oregon Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZooLights | Oregon Zoo | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed Nov 17-19, Nov 24-26, Dec 25) | $13 to $35 adult, $13 to $30 youth; members save 20% off regular prices |
Holiday Light Shows in Pennsylvania
3 events in Pennsylvania: Lehigh Valley Zoo, Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Light Spectacular | Lehigh Valley Zoo | November 13, 2026 to January 2, 2027 (37 nights, check the calendar for closures) | 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 |
| A Longwood Christmas | Longwood Gardens | November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027 | $45 to $52 adults (16-64), $25 to $32 youth (5-15), free for children 4 and under; members need a free timed reservation (not required for Gardens Premium Members and Innovators) |
| LumiNature: Philly Zoo’s Holiday Light Spectacular at the Philadelphia Zoo | Philadelphia Zoo | November 19, 2026 to January 9, 2027, select nights | Dated tickets $25 to $28 adults, $20 to $23 children ages 2 to 11 depending on the night; Anytime Tickets $32 adults, $27 children; members pay less |
Holiday Light Shows in South Carolina
1 event in South Carolina: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Lights | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | Select nights, November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027 | Not yet published; tickets go on sale November 2, 2026 at riverbanks.org |
Holiday Light Shows in Tennessee
3 events in Tennessee: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Memphis Zoo, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood | Cheekwood Estate & Gardens | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | $26 to $32 adult, $20 to $26 youth (3 to 17), non-member; members pay less, roughly $17 to $23 adult |
| Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival | Memphis Zoo | November 13, 2026 – February 14, 2027 (select nights) | $23 members / $25 non-members (ages 2+); 23 months and under free |
| Glow Wild | Nashville Zoo at Grassmere | November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | $27 single-night; $39 Platinum Pass (unlimited visits); members save $5 on single-night tickets; children under 2 free |
Holiday Light Shows in Texas
4 events in Texas: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas Zoo, Houston Zoo, San Antonio Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday at the Arboretum | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden | November 11, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | Daytime adult $21.95-$25.95, child (3-12) $17.95-$21.95; Holiday at Night $35-$40, members $20-$25; Night Owl $15 (online only); members free in daytime; walk-up adds $4 |
| Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant at Dallas Zoo | Dallas Zoo | November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027, select nights | Starting at $19, plus $10 for a daytime-and-lights combo ticket |
| TXU Energy Presents Zoo Lights | Houston Zoo | November 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed December 9 and Christmas Eve) | Member Preview Nights (Nov 17-18) are $14.95; general nightly pricing is not published on the event page, check the ticket portal, and members get 20% off throughout the season |
| Zoo Lights, Powered by CPS Energy | San Antonio Zoo | November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (confirmed; hours TBD) | TBD for 2026 (2025: online pricing from $26.87, dynamic by date; free for members) |
Holiday Light Shows in Utah
1 event in Utah: Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZooLights | Utah’s Hogle Zoo | 2026 dates TBD (2025: November 28, 2025 to January 4, 2026, select nights) | TBD (2025: $16.95 to $19.95 general, $13.95 to $16.95 for members) |
Holiday Light Shows in Virginia
2 events in Virginia: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Norfolk Botanical Garden.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Walk of Lights | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens | November 11, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | $19 online / $24 at door (Nov 11 to Dec 3 and Jan 1 to 3); $23 online only, no door sales (Dec 4 to 31), plus tax and fees |
| Dominion Energy Garden of Lights | Norfolk Botanical Garden | November 6, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | Value Nights $18-$24 adult / $12-$15 child; Popular Nights $24-$30 adult / $15-$18 child; members pay less |
Holiday Light Shows in Washington
2 events in Washington: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoolights | Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed December 24 and 25) | $16 to $22 general admission depending on the night, $8 to $11 for members; a $30 flex ticket works any night |
| WildLanterns | Woodland Park Zoo | November 13, 2026 to January 17, 2027 | 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 |
Holiday Light Shows in Wisconsin
1 event in Wisconsin: Milwaukee County Zoo.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Lights | Milwaukee County Zoo | November 20 to December 31, 2026 (closed Nov 23-26, 29-30, Dec 1-2, 7-8, 14-15, 24-25) | Early bird $15 per adult and child (3-12) online through Nov 8, 2026; infants 2 and under free; regular price after Nov 8 not yet posted; Zoo Pass members get 20% off |
How to pick a zoo lights night in 2026
Weeknights in late November and early December are the least crowded and often the cheapest. The weekends before Christmas sell out first at the big shows, so buy those dates early.
Plan on one to two hours, arrive right at opening for the shortest lines, and dress for standing outside after dark. Most shows run in light rain but close for severe weather, and the venue posts closures on its event page.
Official sources
Dates and ticket rules can change during the season. Confirm with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or the individual park’s event page linked from each guide.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Small enough to ride with on most coasters, big enough for a phone, card and keys. Two zippers mean nothing falls out upside down.
A fan and a mist in one, rechargeable. Very popular in queue lines once the afternoon sun hits.
Zoo Lights 2026 FAQs
When do zoo lights start in 2026?
Most zoo and garden light shows open in mid to late November 2026 and run through late December or the first days of January 2027. Each guide above lists the verified dates.
How much do zoo lights tickets cost?
It varies by venue and night. Many shows use timed tickets with higher prices on weekends and near Christmas, members often pay less, and a few have free nights. Each guide above lists the verified 2026 prices.
Do you need to buy zoo lights tickets in advance?
At most large light shows, yes: tickets are timed and popular nights sell out. Some venues sell remaining tickets at the gate. Each guide above lists the 2026 rule.
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Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.