ZooLights Presented by Invesco and ComEd

ZooLights is open from Friday, November 20, to Sunday, January 3, 2027, from 4:30–9 p.m. with last entry at 8 p.m. ZooLights will be open for special ticketed events and closed on select dates as noted below.

ZooLights will be open for special ticketed events on these dates:

• Thursday, November 19: Member Preview Night at ZooLights, 4:30–9 p.m. Not a member? Join here!
• Tuesday, November 24: Sensory-Friendly Night, 4:30–9 p.m.
• Thursday, December 10: Adults Night Out: Sugar and Spice Presented by Grey Goose Vodka, Patrón Tequila, and St-Germain, 6:30–10 p.m. (21+)

ZooLights will be closed on these dates:

• Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving)
• Tuesday, December 1
• Tuesday, December 8
• Tuesday, December 15
• Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
• Friday, December 25 (Christmas Day)

ZooLights will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Every individual in your party, including children, must have a ticket to enter ZooLights. Purchase your tickets here.

When purchased in advance, Fixed Date Admission tickets are $7 to $12, depending on the date. Fixed Date Admission tickets are $20 when purchased on the same day of your visit. There are no date changes or transfers for Fixed Date Admission tickets.

Flexible Admission tickets cost $20 and allow you to attend ZooLights on any night of your choice. This is a great option if you’re not sure what date you want to visit ZooLights or want to have flexibility in your plans.

With the exception of December 21 and 28, admission is free with a required reservation on Mondays. Tickets for Free Admission Mondays will be released one week in advance at 11 a.m. CT.

ZooLights tickets are nonrefundable. The resale of tickets is prohibited, but you may forward tickets to a friend or family member if you’re unable to attend.

If you purchased a Fixed Date Admission ticket: There are no date changes/transfers for Fixed Date Admission tickets. However, if you are unable to attend, you are welcome to forward your tickets to a friend or family member.

If you purchased a Flexible Admission ticket: Your ticket is valid for any ZooLights night of your choice (excluding ticketed special events) from November 20 through January 3, 2027. You do not need to select a date in advance, and you may forward your tickets to a friend or family member at any time.

Due to high guest volumes, we highly encourage you to buy entry tickets in advance. A limited number of tickets may be available for purchase at the gates.

Cash is accepted at the East and West Gates only. If available, same-day tickets purchased at the gate cost $20 each.

With a Flexible Admission ticket, you do not need to select a date in advance. This ticket is valid for any ZooLights night of your choice (excluding ticketed special events) from November 20 through January 3, 2027.

Flexible Admission ticketholders may enter ZooLights at any time of their choosing, up to one hour before ZooLights closes (8 p.m.). Each Flexible Admission ticket is valid for one visit to ZooLights.

Tickets for free admission Mondays will be released one week in advance of each date at 11 a.m. CT. Free admission Mondays will take place on the following dates:

• Monday, November 23
• Monday, November 30
• Monday, December 7
• Monday, December 14

Limited paid parking is available in the zoo parking lot on Cannon Drive. Parking is not included in the price of your entry ticket.

On busy nights, traffic can become congested and parking may become difficult to find. We strongly encourage guests to use public transportation or rideshare services if possible.

When the parking lot is full, zoo staff will close it temporarily to ensure the safety of patrons. The lot will reopen when it is no longer at full capacity. If you are coming on a Friday or Saturday night, please plan your parking in advance.

Lincoln Park Zoo does not allow outside food and beverages during ZooLights.

Strollers and wagons are allowed at ZooLights, but please keep in mind that high-volume nights bring crowds that may create difficult conditions for maneuvering them around. Scooters and bikes must be parked or walked.

Medications and prescriptions are allowed with proper labeling and identification. Staff may ask you to place certain medications in a secured locker in Searle Visitor Center during your visit.

Lincoln Park Zoo is a smoke-free, vape-free environment. For the health and safety of animals and visitors, smoking is prohibited while inside zoo gates. Pets are not allowed, but service animals are welcome.

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Code of Conduct can be found here.

Yes, every individual in your party must have a ticket for entry, including infants, children, and Lincoln Park Zoo members.

Lincoln Park Zoo is proud to offer Sensory-Friendly Night at ZooLights on Tuesday, November 24. During this special event, all blinking or moving lights will remain static or turned off. Music will be turned to low volume as well. Please email accessibility@lpzoo.org with questions.

Yes! To learn about accessibility at Lincoln Park Zoo, please click here.

Guests who identify as disabled, Deaf, or chronically ill can email access@lpzoo.org to get information on accommodations or ask questions about the event experience.

Lincoln Park Zoo members and their guests get exclusive, free access to Member Preview Night on Thursday, November 19. They will also receive two to eight free tickets, depending on their membership level, to use on a date of their choice. Any tickets beyond these free tickets can be purchased with a 20% discount.

Membership discounts will be automatically applied in our ticketing platform when you are logged in to your account.

Not a member? Visit lpzoo.org/join to learn more.

No. We suggest buying your tickets early, as we cannot guarantee tickets will be available at a later date or at the gate.

If you purchased a Fixed Admission ticket: Please check your ticket confirmation for your selected entry time. We encourage guests to enter within one hour of that time to help manage lines at the gates. However, guests will not be turned away if they enter after their entry window.

If you purchased a Flexible Admission ticket: You may enter ZooLights at any time of your choosing, up to one hour before ZooLights closes (8 p.m.).

ZooLights is open from 4:30–9 p.m.

Nope! All guests must show their ticket for entry to ZooLights, but an electronic version is fine. For the most efficient experience—and to help conserve paper—please have your ticket ready on your smartphone.

Tickets for all rides and seasonal attractions can be purchased on your mobile device at tickets.lpzoo.org. Alternatively, you may purchase tickets at a ticket booth on zoo grounds, located near each attraction.

ZooLights will take place rain or shine. Please dress accordingly.

ZooLights tickets are nonrefundable. The resale of tickets is prohibited but you may forward tickets to a friend or family member if you’re unable to attend.

If you purchased a Fixed Date Admission ticket: There are no date changes/transfers for Fixed Date Admission tickets. However, if you are unable to attend, you are welcome to forward your tickets to a friend or family member.

If you purchased a Flexible Admission ticket: Your ticket is valid for any ZooLights night of your choice (excluding ticketed special events) from November 20 through January 3, 2027. You do not need to select a date in advance, and you may forward your tickets to a friend or family member at any time.

You’ll find Santa Claus in Pepper Family Wildlife Center nightly from 4:30–9 p.m. through December 23.

Yes! Groups of 50 or more can purchase tickets at 5% off. This discount will be automatically applied to your cart at check-out. For a private space, catering, dedicated entry, and other amenities, email groupsales@lpzoo.org.

Yes! From bright, intimate spaces to full zoo buyouts, ZooLights rentals are available. Build a holiday party unlike any other at Regenstein Center for African Apes, Kevin J. Bell Board Room inside Pepper Family Wildlife Center, or the colorful Light Lounge at Foreman Pavilion! Visit lpzoo.org/private-events or contact groupsales@lpzoo.org for more information.

Hundreds of animals from around the world reside at Lincoln Park Zoo, including critically endangered species and species that are extinct in the wild. Animals at the zoo have the choice to be out and visible or behind the scenes, and they may choose to spend time outside of public viewing areas. Visit go.lpzoo.org to see the species that call Lincoln Park Zoo home and navigate to their habitats while you’re here!

Would you like to sponsor ZooLights? Email corporatealliances@lpzoo.org.

Do you have accessibility needs? If you would like help buying a ticket, email accessibility@lpzoo.org.

For other questions or issues not listed here, email events@lpzoo.org.

ZooLights is an all-ages event. Every guest must have a ticket, including infants and children.

You’ll get a QR code emailed to you with your receipt. We recommend saving this to your Apple or Google Wallet or taking a screenshot image of the QR code. If you lose your ticket, email us at events@lpzoo.org to have it re-sent to you.

You will only receive one QR code per purchase. If you’re attending with a group of guests, you can share the QR code in your receipt with them so they can enter separately.

Wonderful! We have a variety of proposal packages tailored to your wants and plans. Please reach out to groupsales@lpzoo.org.

Yes, you can download this PDF of the ZooLights program and print it. Looking for a mobile-friendly version? Check out the interactive map and program here.

We have a limited number of Fixed Date Admission tickets available for donation on a first-come, first-served basis. A max of (5) five Fixed Date Admission tickets per organization will be honored, if approved. Please email events@lpzoo.org with your request, organization’s name, EIN, fundraiser description, and date. Please note: Due to a high volume of emails during the ZooLights season, requests made after November 19 will be delayed.