Open Select Evenings Nov. 21 Through Jan. 3; $9 Tickets Required
Washington, D.C.’s beloved family-friendly winter wonderland, ZooLights, returns to brighten the holiday season at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Now in its 17th year, ZooLights is brighter than ever and will run Nov. 21–23, Nov. 28–30, Dec. 3–7, Dec. 9–14, Dec. 17–23, Dec. 26–30 and Jan. 2–3, 2026. On Monday through Saturday nights, ZooLights will take place from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the last entry at 9 p.m. On Sundays, ZooLights will run from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with the last entry at 8 p.m. ZooLights is sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionary and Pepco.
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 new offerings include a winter-themed maze and a special adults-only Date Night set for Dec. 17. Live entertainment, sweet and savory treats, and plenty of holiday shopping will be back this year, adding to the experience. ZooLights is a weather-dependent event.
Tickets and Parking Passes
ZooLights tickets and parking passes are available for pre-purchase online now for Zoo members and non-members. Tickets are $9 per individual; parking passes are $30 per vehicle online or on-site, subject to availability. Each attendee, including children over the age of 2, will need a ticket. ZooLights is an extremely popular event with Washington-area families. Due to limited capacity, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and purchase tickets and 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 for three exclusive Member Nights—Dec. 9–11, from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Members can also purchase additional general-admission tickets for Member Nights, which include special holiday treats to enjoy alongside exclusive after-hours access to select Zoo exhibits and free unlimited rides on the Conservation Carousel, weather permitting. 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.
Date Night
The adults-only Date Night is Dec. 17 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with special after-hours access to popular Zoo exhibits for visitors 21 years and older. Dazzling lights will set the perfect backdrop for a magical evening that includes a complimentary adult beverage, seasonal treats and festive music. Tickets are $19 per individual; parking passes are $30 per vehicle online or onsite, 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 parking passes.
Special Event Rental
The Pavilion at ZooLights is open for bookings throughout the entire ZooLights season and offers a fully enclosed, well-lit and climate-controlled venue for up to 300 guests overlooking the dazzling animal lantern displays in the lower Zoo. The four-hour rental includes ZooLights admission for all guests and a vendor tent in addition to the private space.
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 that transform the dazzling displays into a flurry of glowing snowflakes to see the Zoo sparkle in a whole new way
- A winter-themed maze presented by Pepco for $5 filled with twinkling lights, whimsical décor and photo-worthy surprises around every corner
- The National Zoo Choo Choo train presented by Mars Wrigley Confectionary for $5 that takes children on a cheerful loop around the Great Cats exhibit.
Live Entertainment and the Carousel
Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment each weekend. 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’s entrance for $4. Visitors can warm up indoors while shopping for holiday gifts inside the Visitor Center, Panda Plaza and Great Cats stores or while dining at Elevation Burger at the Mane Grill.
Food and Treats
Special winter treats, including s’mores, popcorn, kettle corn, holiday cookies, soft pretzels and seasonal gelato will be available for purchase. Hungry visitors can dine outdoors and enjoy ZooLights specials at Bootheel BBQ and Sbarro while staying warm by sipping hot chocolate or spiced cider. Adults can enjoy cocktails at Vintage Views, mulled wine at Elevation Burger and other holiday beverages at a new Elephant Outpost lounge with heaters.
Parking and Public Transportation
On-site parking is subject to availability if a 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 entrance and tickets at the lower entrance near the Kids’ Farm. 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.
