Open Select Evenings Friday, Nov. 20, Through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027; $10 Tickets Required
The holiday season will shine brighter at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) as ZooLights returns. Now in its 18th year, ZooLights is brighter than ever and will run Nov. 20–22, Nov. 27–29, Dec. 4–6, Dec. 11–13, Dec. 16, Dec. 18–23, Dec. 26–30 and Jan. 2–3, 2027. On Monday through Saturday nights, ZooLights will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the last entry at 8:30 p.m. On Sundays, ZooLights will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the last entry at 7:30 p.m. ZooLights is held rain or shine.
Visitors strolling through the Zoo can bask in the glow of a million environmentally friendly LED lights. True to the unique setting of the Zoo, visitors will see more than 100 lanterns depicting ocean, desert, grassland, rainforest and polar habitats and the animals that call them home. This year’s offerings include a special Adults-Only Night set for Wednesday, Dec. 16. Live entertainment, sweet and savory treats, and plenty of holiday shopping will be back this year, adding to the experience.
Tickets and Special Event Parking Passes
ZooLights tickets and special event parking passes are available for pre-purchase online now for Zoo members and non-members. Tickets are $10 per individual, and group tickets are available for parties of 50 or more and subject to availability. Group tickets must be requested via the online form a minimum of two weeks in advance of arrival date, and group tickets are not available for Member Nights or Adults-Only Night. Special event parking passes are $30 per vehicle in advance or $40 per vehicle day-of, subject to availability. Special event bus parking is available for $120 per bus, subject to availability. Each attendee, including children ages 3 and older, must have a ticket; children 2 and younger are free. ZooLights is an extremely popular event with Washington-area families. Due to limited capacity, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and purchase tickets and special event parking passes early. Any proceeds from tickets, concessions and parking sales benefit animal care and conservation science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Zoo Members
Zoo members can reserve up to six free entry tickets and purchase additional entry tickets for $10 for two exclusive Member Nights Tuesday, Dec. 8, and Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with special after-hours access to select animal houses. During any night of ZooLights, members can use their standard 15% discount on in-park food and retail when they present their membership card and photo ID at checkout. Due to limited capacity, advanced reservations for Member Nights are required.
Adults-Only Night
The Adults-Only Night is Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for visitors 21 years and older and includes special after-hours access to select animal houses. Dazzling lights will set the perfect backdrop for a magical evening that includes a complimentary adult beverage, seasonal treats, games and festive music. Tickets are $19 per individual; parking passes are $30 per vehicle in advance or $40 day-of, subject to availability.
General-Admission Nights
On general-admission nights, all indoor animal exhibits will be closed to allow animals to get a full night’s rest. Daytime visitors who would like to view the Zoo’s animals can obtain a free entry pass and/or paid parking pass on the Zoo’s website. Per normal operating hours, the Zoo will close at 4 p.m. to all visitors. It will reopen at 5 p.m. for visitors with ZooLights tickets and special event parking passes.
Special Event Rental
The Conservation Pavilion at ZooLights is open for bookings throughout the entire ZooLights season and offers a fully enclosed, well-lit and climate-controlled venue with private restrooms, brand-new full audiovisual capabilities and access to the adjacent outdoor patio. The space overlooks the dazzling animal lantern displays in the lower Zoo and offers room for up to 120 guests fully seated or 200 standing, with capacity for up to 300 standing when the patio is included. The rental includes use of the space for the duration of one ZooLights evening, along with ZooLights admission for all guests.
Holiday Upgrades
Visitors can also take their ZooLights visit to the next level with fun holiday upgrades available for purchase on-site:
- Festive glasses for $3 or as a $1 add-on to any attraction purchase, which will transform the dazzling displays into a flurry of glowing snowflakes so guests can see the Zoo sparkle in a whole new way.
- A winter-themed maze for $6 filled with twinkling lights, whimsical décor and photo-worthy surprises around every corner.
- The National Zoo Choo Choo train for $6 that takes children on a cheerful loop around the Great Cats exhibit.
Live Entertainment and the Carousel
Visitors can enjoy live entertainment each Friday in December from community performance groups. Roaming carolers singing beloved holiday songs from decades past, including the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s and 2000s, will be performing each Saturday in December. A special holiday trivia game will be available each Sunday in December for groups to test their knowledge of the decades, including the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and 2000s. The Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel is open during ZooLights pending the weather (the ride will close if the outside temperature is below 35 degrees Fahrenheit). Visitors may purchase tickets on-site at the carousel entrance for $6. Visitors can warm up indoors while shopping for holiday gifts inside the Panda Plaza and Great Cats stores.
Food and Treats
Special winter treats will be available for purchase from vendors, including Bootheel BBQ food truck. Visitors can purchase s’mores kits from Dolci Gelati to enjoy by firepits outside of the Elephant Community Center. Adults can enjoy mulled wine, a night owl espresso martini, an apple cider dark and stormy and other cocktails at Vintage Views.
Parking and Public Transportation
On-site parking is subject to availability if a special event parking pass is not purchased in advance. Guests using ride-share vehicles will be dropped off and picked up at the designated ride-share zones near the Connecticut Avenue and Harvard Street entrances. Zoo staff will scan tickets and parking passes at the Connecticut Avenue entrances and tickets at the lower entrance near the Harvard Street entrance. Metro Bus (D70) and Metro Rail (Woodley Park-Zoo and Cleveland Park) have stops within walking distance of the Zoo’s main pedestrian entrance on Connecticut Avenue. For more information, the public can visit the Zoo’s website.