Washington, D.C.’s beloved Smithsonian’s National Zoo holiday tradition is back and brighter than ever as Zoo Lights returns this holiday season. A change this year will be that ZooLights will have a ticket price of $6 per individual. Each attendee, including children over the age of 2, will need a ticket. Parking is available for pre-purchase online at $30 per vehicle.
Paid tickets are a change from past years when this special event was free to attend. Per the Smithsonian, the ticket fee will offset the significant increase in costs associated with running this event. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit animal care and conservation science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, Oct. 26.: All proceeds from ZooLights concessions and parking sales benefit animal care and conservation science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Now in its 15th year, ZooLights will take thousands of visitors into a winter wonderland lit by more than half a million environmentally-friendly LED lights and illuminations. Visitors can stroll through immersive lantern displays showing rainforest, grassland, desert, ocean and polar habitats and the animals that call them home. Live musical performances, delicious treat offerings and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping make this special event a dazzling and immersive experience for families and nature aficionados.
WEEK 1 | Nov. 24, 25, 26| Friday to Sunday
WEEK 2 | Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2, 3 | Thursday to Sunday
WEEK 3 | Dec. 7, 8, 9, 10 | Thursday to Sunday
WEEK 4 | Dec. 14, 15, 16, 17 | Thursday to Sunday
WEEK 5 & 6 | Dec. 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 | Thursday to Saturday
Please note: ZooLights does not feature the Zoo’s animals. All indoor animal exhibits will be closed to allow animals to get a full night’s rest. Last admittance to ZooLights is at 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays-Saturdays, and 7:30 p.m. on Sundays.