Zoolights lights up Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, for its 39th year, with the 2026 run set for November 27, 2026 through January 3, 2027 from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly, except for a closure on December 24 and 25. The zoo strings more than 1.5 million lights through its pathways, with a giant lighted octopus, the Narrows Bridge display and a lighted tunnel among the returning favorites, and an aurora borealis themed display has been a recent addition worth watching for again as the 2026 calendar fills in.
Zoolights suits families, grandparents and anyone who wants a slow, walkable holiday light display rather than a drive-through one. Most visitors spend one to two hours on the grounds. Online timed tickets are required in advance for every date, since Zoolights is a separate ticketed event from daytime zoo admission and nights do sell out.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
- City: Tacoma
- State: Washington
- Dates: November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed December 24 and 25)
- Hours: 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm nightly
- Tickets: $16 to $22 general admission depending on the night, $8 to $11 for members; a $30 flex ticket works any night
- Timed entry: yes, required in advance
- New for 2026: not announced
What’s new for 2026
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has not published a specific new display or zone for the 2026 to 2027 Zoolights season yet. Returning highlights that have grown the event in recent years include an aurora borealis light theme and the historic 1917 carousel running during event hours. Check the official Zoolights page as opening night nears for any 2026 specific additions.
The lights and displays
The zoo transforms its pathways into a lit winter walk featuring a lighted tunnel, a giant illuminated Pacific octopus, a Narrows Bridge display and a lighted wreath set up for photos near the entrance. The zoo’s animal exhibits and aquariums are closed for the night during Zoolights hours, since the animals are settling in to sleep, so this is a lights and lantern walk rather than a chance to see the collection. Guests have still reported spotting a few naturally active or visible animals such as penguins or a clouded leopard along the route, though seeing them is not guaranteed. Visitors who want to see the full animal collection and the aquarium should plan a separate daytime visit.
Tickets, prices and member nights
For November 27 through December 13, 2026, tickets run $16 general admission and $8 for members Monday through Thursday, and $22 general admission and $11 for members Friday through Sunday. From December 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, every night is priced at $22 general and $11 for members. A flex ticket good for any single night of the run costs $30. Children age 2 and under get in free, and parking at the zoo is free. All tickets are timed and must be bought online in advance through pdza.org, since Zoolights is not included with regular zoo admission or membership.
Food, drinks and extras
The zoo’s on site concessions stay open during Zoolights hours for warm drinks and seasonal snacks, and the historic 1917 carousel typically runs for an extra cost during the event. Specific 2026 food vendors and any other extra cost add ons had not been published as of this writing, so check the event page closer to opening night for the full lineup.
Tips for your visit
Weeknights in the first few weeks, right after the 4:30 p.m. opening, tend to be the least crowded, while weekends and the stretch after December 14 draw bigger lines. Dress for Pacific Northwest winter weather, since the walk is entirely outdoors and Tacoma evenings are often damp and cold. Strollers are fine on the paved paths, and the zoo’s accessibility info covers mobility device access for the route. Because parking is free but the lot can fill on busy nights, arrive close to your ticket’s start time rather than early, and buy tickets online ahead of your visit since walk up sales are not guaranteed. If seeing the animals and aquarium matters to your group, plan a daytime admission separately, since both are closed during Zoolights evening hours.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
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Zoolights 2026 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium FAQs
When is Zoolights 2026 at Point Defiance Zoo?
Zoolights runs nightly from November 27, 2026 through January 3, 2027, from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the zoo closed on December 24 and 25.
How much are Zoolights tickets in 2026?
From November 27 to December 13, 2026, tickets cost $16 general admission and $8 for members Monday through Thursday, and $22 general and $11 for members Friday through Sunday. From December 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, every night is $22 general and $11 for members. A flex ticket good for any one night is $30, and kids 2 and under are free.
Can you see the animals and aquarium during Zoolights?
No. The animal exhibits and aquariums are closed during Zoolights evening hours because the animals are sleeping. Guests should plan a separate daytime visit to see the full collection.
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Photo: Farwestern Photo by Gregg M. Erickson / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.