ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd

ZooLights is open from Friday, November 21, to Sunday, January 4, from 4:30–9 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 20: Member Preview Night at ZooLights, 4:30–9 p.m. Not a member? Join here!
• Tuesday, November 25: Sensory-Friendly Night, 4:30–9 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 2: Holiday Market: A Nowhere Collective Collaboration, 5:30–9 p.m.
• Thursday, December 11: Adults Night Out: Holidaze Presented by Grey Goose Vodka and Patrón Tequila, 6:30–10 p.m. (21+)

ZooLights will be closed on these dates:

• All Tuesdays except December 23
• Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving)
• Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
• Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)

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

ZooLights tickets are nonrefundable. The resale of tickets is prohibited.

If you purchased a ticket for a specific date: Your ticket is valid only for the date of your visit and cannot be transferred to another date. However, you may send your tickets to a friend or family member if you’re unable to attend.

If you purchased a Flexible Admission ticket: Your ticket is valid for any ZooLights night of your choice (excluding ticketed special events) from November 21 through January 4, 2026. You do not need to select a date in advance.

Ticket prices vary depending on demand for certain dates. Tickets for popular dates near holidays will have higher prices. However, Monday night admission is always free with registration. Free Monday tickets will be released one week in advance at 11 a.m. CT.

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 21 through January 4, 2026. This ticket is a great choice for those who want a more flexible option!

Tickets for free admission Mondays will be released one week in advance at 11 a.m. CT.

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.

Smoking tobacco or cannabis and vaping inside zoo gates is prohibited for the health and safety of the animals. Pets are not allowed at the zoo, but service animals are welcome.

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

Lincoln Park Zoo is proud to offer Sensory-Friendly Night at ZooLights on December 4. 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, every individual in your party must have a ticket for entry, including infants, children, and Lincoln Park Zoo members.

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

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.

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.

If you purchased a ticket for a specific date: Your ticket is valid only for the date of your visit and cannot be transferred to another date. However, you may send your tickets to a friend or family member if you’re unable to attend.

If you purchased a Flexible Admission ticket: Your ticket is valid for any ZooLights night of your choice (excluding ticketed special events) from November 21 through January 4, 2026. You do not need to select a date in advance.

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. For just the discount, email events@lpzoo.org. 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 now available. Build a holiday party unlike any other at Regenstein Center for African Apes, the Kevin J. Bell Board Room at 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. These animals have the choice to be out and visible or behind the scenes. 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. However, every guest must have a ticket—including infants and children.

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.

You’ll get a QR code at checkout; for easy access, take a screenshot or photo of it. You’ll also receive the QR code by email. We recommend saving this to your Apple or Google Wallet. If you do happen to lose your ticket, email us at events@lpzoo.org to have it re-sent to you.

You’ll only receive one QR code per purchase. If you’re attending with a group of other guests, you can share it so they can enter separately. Note that the QR code will only scan for the number of tickets that you have purchased. For example, if you purchased four tickets, the QR code will only scan four times.

Wonderful! Please reach out to groupsales@lpzoo.org.

A single purchase of 50+ tickets is eligible for a 5% discount on the ticket price. Please email zoolights@lpzoo.org for details. You will receive one QR code that will scan for all tickets that were purchased in one transaction.