ZOOLIGHTS is the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s annual holiday lights event in Calgary, Alberta. The 2026 edition runs from November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with lights on nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (gates close at 9 p.m.). This season marks the event’s 30th anniversary, and the zoo has added a new holiday maze at Savannah Lawn alongside more than 1 million lights throughout the grounds.
ZOOLIGHTS suits families, couples and anyone who enjoys a slow walk through lit-up gardens and animal habitats, and most visitors plan for one to two hours on site. The zoo is closed to the public on November 17 and 24, 2026, and on December 25, 2026, so it is worth checking those dates before you plan a visit. Tickets are sold online by date through the zoo’s ticketing site and prices change night to night, so booking ahead both locks in your spot and usually costs less than buying at the gate.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
- City: Calgary
- State: Alberta
- Dates: November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed Nov 17, Nov 24 and Dec 25, 2026)
- Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. nightly, gates close at 9 p.m.
- Tickets: Dynamic pricing by date, roughly $17 to $23 per person online; members get a discount (see below)
- Timed entry: Not stated
- New for 2026: 30th anniversary season with a new holiday maze at Savannah Lawn
What’s new for 2026
For its 30th anniversary, ZOOLIGHTS adds a new holiday maze at Savannah Lawn, giving visitors a fresh spot to explore alongside the zoo’s claim of more than 1 million lights for the season. The zoo has not published a full list of which attractions from recent seasons are returning, so check the official calendar closer to opening night for the complete lineup of zones and activities.
The lights and displays
The zoo’s official 2026 listing points to new ways to celebrate alongside returning favourites, including the new holiday maze at Savannah Lawn, the Holiday Gardens in the ENMAX Conservatory, and a visit with Santa in his Polar Palace. Past seasons have combined illuminated animal habitats with themed areas and light tunnels, and the zoo’s marketing describes nightly interactive activities, axe throwing, festive food and animal education stops as part of the night, though it has not published a full attractions list for 2026 yet. For the most current rundown of what is open on any given night, use the zoo’s online calendar when you buy tickets.
Tickets, prices and member nights
ZOOLIGHTS tickets are sold by date on the zoo’s official ticketing site, and prices move with demand rather than staying fixed for the whole run; the online calendar has shown prices from roughly $17 on quieter nights up to about $23 on busier ones. The site tells buyers to purchase in advance for better pricing, and tickets are non-refundable once bought. Members get a price break: Wild Scout and Wild Explorer members receive 50 percent off a single ZOOLIGHTS visit, and Wild Adventurer members get two free visits plus 50 percent off any additional tickets for the cardholder. The zoo has not published a 2026 parking fee specific to ZOOLIGHTS nights on its event page, so check the listing closer to your visit.
Food, drinks and extras
The official 2026 page describes festive food and drink and interactive activities, including axe throwing, as part of ZOOLIGHTS without listing specific menu items, add-on passes or ride pricing for this season. Past years have included combo options pairing daytime zoo access with evening ZOOLIGHTS admission, so it is worth checking the ticketing site to see if a similar combo ticket is offered again in 2026.
Tips for your visit
Weekday nights and the earlier part of the run tend to be quieter than weekends and the days right before Christmas, and arriving close to the 5:30 p.m. opening gives you more time before the park fills in. Plan for one to two hours of walking outdoors, dress for Calgary’s winter cold with warm layers and waterproof boots, and keep an eye on the forecast since the event runs rain, snow or shine. Buy tickets online ahead of your date, since prices rise closer to popular nights and walk-up availability is not guaranteed.
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ZOOLIGHTS 2026 at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo FAQs
When is ZOOLIGHTS 2026 at Calgary Zoo?
ZOOLIGHTS 2026 runs from November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with the zoo closed to the public on November 17, November 24 and December 25, 2026. Lights are on nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with gates closing at 9 p.m.
How much are ZOOLIGHTS tickets in 2026?
Tickets are priced by date on the zoo’s online ticketing calendar, with prices seen from about $17 on lower-demand nights up to about $23 on busier ones. Members with a Wild Scout or Wild Explorer membership get 50 percent off a single visit, and Wild Adventurer members get two free visits plus 50 percent off extra tickets.
Do you need to buy ZOOLIGHTS tickets in advance?
The zoo does not state a timed entry requirement for ZOOLIGHTS, but it encourages buying tickets online ahead of your visit date since prices rise for busier nights and tickets are non-refundable once purchased.
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Photo: Photogelatine Engraving Co. / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.