Event · Community

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo 2026–2027

When

Fri, Nov 20 · 4:30 PM–9:00 PMNightly 4:30–9 p.m. (last entry 8 p.m.), November 20, 2026–January 3, 2027; closed Nov 26, Dec 1, 8, 15, 24 and 25. Free admission Mondays with reservation except Dec 21 and 28.

Where

Lincoln Park Zoo2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614Open in Google Maps ↗

Ages

All ages

Cost

Fixed-date advance tickets $7–$12 depending on date; $20 day-of; Flexible Admission $20; free Mondays (except Dec 21 and 28) with reservationSensory-Friendly Night Tuesday, November 24, 4:30–9 p.m.: blinking and moving lights static or slowed, music softened or silenced.

Organizer

Lincoln Park Zoo

Upcoming dates: Fri, Nov 20 · Sat, Nov 21 · Sun, Nov 22 · Mon, Nov 23 · Tue, Nov 24 · Wed, Nov 25 · Fri, Nov 27 · Sat, Nov 28 · Sun, Nov 29 · Mon, Nov 30 · Wed, Dec 2 · Thu, Dec 3 · Fri, Dec 4 · Sat, Dec 5 · Sun, Dec 6 · Mon, Dec 7 · Wed, Dec 9 · Thu, Dec 10 · Fri, Dec 11 · Sat, Dec 12 · Sun, Dec 13 · Mon, Dec 14 · Wed, Dec 16 · Thu, Dec 17 · Fri, Dec 18 · Sat, Dec 19 · Sun, Dec 20 · Mon, Dec 21 · Tue, Dec 22 · Wed, Dec 23 · Sat, Dec 26 · Sun, Dec 27 · Mon, Dec 28 · Tue, Dec 29 · Wed, Dec 30 · Thu, Dec 31 · Fri, Jan 1 · Sat, Jan 2 · Sun, Jan 3

Lincoln Park Zoo's annual ZooLights returns with more than 3 million lights and hundreds of LED displays spread across the free city zoo. Families walk through a light tunnel, ride the Ferris wheel for a view of the skyline, spin on the Endangered Species Carousel, and catch a narrated light show on the South Lawn. Photos with Santa run through December 23 (professional photos are sold separately), carolers stroll on Sundays through December 21, and ice carvers work on Friday and Saturday nights. A ZooLights scavenger hunt sends kids looking for hidden ornaments for a prize, and several animal buildings stay open for warm-up visits. Every guest, including children, needs a ticket: advance fixed-date tickets are $7–$12 depending on the date, $20 on the day of the visit, and Mondays (except December 21 and 28) are free with a reservation released one week ahead at 11 a.m. A Sensory-Friendly Night on Tuesday, November 24 slows or stops moving lights and softens the music. It runs rain, snow or shine, so dress for the weather. Last entry is 8 p.m.