ZooLights is the Phoenix Zoo’s annual holiday lights display, held on the zoo’s grounds in Phoenix, Arizona. For 2026 the event runs from November 25, 2026 through January 15, 2027, open nightly from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. New for this season is an expanded Lake Lights Show with six additional 24-foot trees joining the centerpiece 50-foot LED tree, plus a new illusion-themed walk called Wander the Wonder, A Trail Less Ordinary.
ZooLights suits families, couples and anyone who wants a slow, walkable holiday outing rather than a thrill-ride night out. Most visitors spend one and a half to two and a half hours covering the lit trail, with extra time if they stop for photos with Santa or the s’mores fire pit. Tickets are not tied to a specific calendar date or entry time; a standard ticket is valid for any one public night across the whole November 25, 2026 to January 15, 2027 run, so you can buy ahead and pick your night later.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Phoenix Zoo
- City: Phoenix
- State: Arizona
- Dates: November 25, 2026 to January 15, 2027
- Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. nightly
- Tickets: $35 general admission, $30 for Zoo members, with a $10 Member Monday rate (limited to six tickets) on select Mondays
- Timed entry: no, tickets are valid for any one public night in the run, not a specific date or time slot
- New for 2026: Expanded Lake Lights Show with six additional 24-foot trees, and new Wander the Wonder illusion trail
What’s new for 2026
The Phoenix Zoo is expanding its Lake Lights Show for 2026 by adding six more 24-foot trees around the existing 50-foot centerpiece LED tree, which runs synchronized music and imagery. The zoo is also debuting Wander the Wonder, A Trail Less Ordinary, a new illusion-filled walk with installations described as mind-bending, alongside the returning Dinosaurs in the Desert trail of lit-up dinosaurs.
The lights and displays
The Lake Lights Show and its centerpiece 50-foot LED tree remain the visual anchor of the event, now joined by six additional 24-foot trees for 2026. Beyond that, guests can expect the new illusion-themed Wander the Wonder trail, the lit dinosaur figures along Dinosaurs in the Desert, and the usual mix of lit pathways and photo backdrops throughout the grounds, along with scheduled Santa photo opportunities running November 25 through December 23, 2026 for a separate fee with reservations.
Tickets, prices and member nights
General admission is $35 per person and Phoenix Zoo members pay $30. Members also get a discounted $10 rate on designated Member Mondays, capped at six tickets per member. Importantly, a standard ticket is not locked to a single calendar date: it is valid for any one public night between November 25, 2026 and January 15, 2027, so you can buy in advance and decide which night to go later. The zoo notes dates and hours are subject to change without notice, so it is worth checking the official calendar before you head out. Parking is available at the main lots with overflow parking at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, connected by a lit, paved walkway of about 15 minutes.
Food, drinks and extras
A hot cocoa and kettle corn stand is available along the trail, and families can gather for a s’mores-by-the-fire experience in Plaza de los Niños. Pop-up shops and the gift shop are open for holiday shopping. Santa photo sessions are bookable for a separate fee once reservations open. The event page does not list carousel or train rides as part of ZooLights.
Tips for your visit
Arrive close to the 5:30 p.m. opening on weeknights to avoid the heaviest crowds, since weekends and nights close to Christmas tend to draw the biggest lines, especially for Santa photos and the s’mores fire pit. Plan for roughly two hours to walk the trail at an easy pace, and dress in layers since Phoenix evenings in December can be chilly even though days stay warm. Since tickets are valid for any night in the run rather than a fixed date, you have flexibility to shift your visit if a particular evening looks crowded or if weather is an issue. Strollers are fine on the paved pathways, and if you park in the overflow lot, budget extra time for the walk in. Because the zoo notes hours are subject to change, check the official calendar close to your visit date.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
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ZooLights 2026 at the Phoenix Zoo FAQs
When is ZooLights 2026 at the Phoenix Zoo?
ZooLights 2026 runs from November 25, 2026 through January 15, 2027, open nightly from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
How much are ZooLights tickets in 2026?
General admission is $35 per person. Phoenix Zoo members pay $30, and members can get a $10 rate on select Member Mondays, limited to six tickets per member.
Do you need to buy ZooLights tickets in advance?
Advance purchase is not required to pick a specific date. A standard ZooLights ticket is valid for any one public night between November 25, 2026 and January 15, 2027, so you can buy ahead and choose your night later, though the zoo still recommends buying online to save time at entry on busy nights.
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Photo: Jedijoe82 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.