10 Ways to Make the Most of Your ZooLights Experience

ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd is one of Chicago’s favorite holiday traditions, and it’s here through January 4, 2026. Have you gotten your tickets yet? It’s easy to get into the holiday spirit thanks to the more than 3 million lights that are beautifully illuminating zoo grounds right now.

To start with, become a member! You’ll get four or eight free ZooLights tickets depending on your membership level, along with discounts on everything from Gift Shop items to parking and event tickets. Here are some other ways to make the most of the zoo’s winter wonderland this season:

1. Pick your price.

Right now, tickets to ZooLights cost $7–$20 depending on the night and the type of ticket. A Flexible Admission ticket allows you to go anytime during the season without needing to commit to a specific date beforehand. It’s best for busy families who aren’t yet sure when they’ll be free but definitely plan to go at some point. Fixed Date Admission tickets run from $7–$12, depending on the date.

All Mondays are free except for December 23, but you must register in advance (Monday free tickets go live one week in advance at 11 a.m.). So, if you can commit to a day during the week to go, you’ll spend less on your tickets—but ZooLights is a good value regardless of when you attend!

2. Use the app to discover what’s happening around the zoo.

Did you know the zoo has a web app? You can use it to learn about things to do and see, find out where activities are taking place, and navigate to wherever you wish to go. You can also purchase ride tickets through the app and check out your favorite animals. Visit the ZooLights Guide on the app here.

3. Enjoy the entertainment options!

ZooLights isn’t just about walking through the lights at the zoo. Plenty of activities are taking place all season long, including visits to Santa Claus, the Zooltide lights show on South Lawn, and cookie decorating at Park Place Café. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can watch ice carving live from the talented artisans at Arctic Artists. On Sundays, strolling carolers will provide a live soundtrack to your evening as they wander through the zoo. Watch for surprise-and-delight performances from LED-costumed performers, such as stilt walkers and butterfly and peacock costumed characters, or visits from holiday favorites (think your favorite grouchy green holiday hater and an enthusiastic elf who loves maple syrup and all things Christmas).

4. Do your holiday shopping.

Need to buy something special for the animal lovers on your gift list? The zoo is a great place to knock out some of that holiday shopping, whether you’re into experiences or goods. Grab a membership for a friend, choose from the zoo’s exclusive holiday collection, or buy something to help the animals out! Check out the 2025 Zoo Gifting Guide for ideas.

On Tuesday, December 2 (which is also Giving Day!), you can also come to the zoo’s Holiday Market: A Nowhere Collective Collaboration to shop for one-of-a kind items from more than 30 vendors offering sustainable, handcrafted, upcycled items. Admission costs $12, but the experience is priceless.

5. Eat, drink, and be merry.

Seasonal food and drinks are part of the charm of December in Chicago, and you’ll find some deliciously warm options at the zoo, from spiked (or regular) hot chocolate to pasta and soups (Insider tip: Zoo staff love the steak chili at Park Place Café)! You can create your own s’mores at fire pits located around the zoo, including Bird’s Eye Bar & Grill and the Light Lounge, or try some of the exclusive artisanal drinks that will be available for purchase at the Light Lounge (the Cinnamon Chata Latte, made with RumChata cream liquor, sounds divine!).

6. Take a ride on a zoo attraction.

The Ferris Wheel, Endangered Species Carousel, Lionel Train Adventure, and Gorilla Trek VR Experience are all open throughout the ZooLights season so you can take a ride with the family. Tickets cost $4.50 each, although you can get discounted ticket package of 10 for $40 or 50 for $185 for 50 (members pay less!). And remember, all proceeds from tickets, food, parking, and events go to keeping the zoo free for all while providing state-of-the-art care for animals at the zoo.

7. Host a celebration, a party, a proposal, or other special event!

ZooLights is a popular place to hold all kinds of private celebrations, from corporate holiday parties to proposals and birthdays. The zoo would be happy to help you make your event and your special moment as memorable as possible! Email groupsales@lpzoo.org for information on packages. And remember, you need a permit to engage in professional photography on zoo grounds, including Nature Boardwalk.

8. Attend a ticketed holiday event at the zoo.

This most festive season also brings exciting one-off events, which include access to the brilliant fun of ZooLights:

• Holiday Market: A Nowhere Collective Collaboration on Tuesday, December 2, for unique and sustainable gift shopping
• The Chris White Jazz Trio Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 7, a longtime family tradition in three separate showings
• Adults Night out: Holidaze Presented by Grey Goose Vodka and Patrón Tequila on Thursday, December 11, allowing grownups to enjoy the lights without children around
• Elf Movie Party at ZooLights with Alamo Drafthouse on Sunday, December 21, featuring props and permission to sing along
• New Year’s Eve at ZooLights on Wednesday, December 31, featuring a family-friendly countdown every hour

9. Take holiday photos at spots around the zoo.

Need a cool image to wow your social media followers or show off on this year’s Christmas card? The zoo’s holiday tree, inside Pepper Family Wildlife Center, is a great spot to take a family photo. You can also get Instagram-worthy pictures at the Light Lounge, on Lester E. Fisher Bridge, at the north end of Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond, and of course the West Gate where the brand-new ZooLights entry sign now stands. The Zooltide show on the South Lawn, Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo, the East Gate entrance, and the bridge over Waterfowl Lagoon are other photogenic spots for your perfect snapshot.

10. Visit the animals!

While many animals with outdoor habitats may choose to stay inside during ZooLights evenings, you can take some fun indoor tours via the web app to visit pygmy hippos, giraffes, meerkats, monkeys, otters, a sloth, different bird species, reptiles, and so much more! Animal buildings that will be open during ZooLights include Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House, Helen Brach Primate House, Regenstein Center for African Apes, and Regenstein African Journey. The app can also help you learn more about the animals you’ll see.