# ZooLights: Thanksgiving Family Nights at Phoenix Zoo

> Event for families in the Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler area (AZ). Times are Arizona Time.

- When: Nov 25 – Nov 29 · 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- Where: Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
- Ages: All ages welcome; 100% stroller-friendly paved zoo pathways; sensory-friendly quiet areas available
- Price: $30–$35 general admission; free for children ages 2 and under; advance timed-entry online tickets required
- Organizer: Arizona Center for Nature Conservation / Phoenix Zoo
- Official page: https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/zoolights/
- Last checked: Sat, Nov 7

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/zoolights-thanksgiving-family-nights-at-phoenix-zoo--listing-729635abc46d3b992bb514f0

## About

A Valley holiday tradition for over thirty years, ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo opens its gates for the season during Thanksgiving week and remains fully open on Thanksgiving evening, giving families a wonderful post-dinner desert stroll. Millions of twinkling LED lights illuminate the lakeside trails, towering palm trees, and native saguaros of Papago Park.

The walking experience features glowing wildlife lantern displays, a 200-foot light tunnel synchronized to holiday music, and the Music in Motion lake light show across the zoo's central lagoon. Children can roast s'mores over outdoor fire pits, sip warm spiced cider, and take photos with Santa. Paved trails throughout the zoo make it effortless for strollers and wagons.

## Similar picks in Phoenix

- [ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/zoolights-at-the-phoenix-zoo--listing-689947de591b96b512a54839) — Nov 25 – Jan 15 · 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM · Phoenix Zoo · All ages · From $35 · checked Nov 4. Celebrating a beloved 35-year Valley tradition, ZooLights illuminates the Phoenix Zoo with millions of sparkling LED lights, glowing wildlife animal lanterns, a soaring 200-foot…
- [Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/holiday-lights-at-mccormick-stillman-railroad-park--listing-0d41fe7846afcfa42bc51c77) — Nov 27 – Dec 30 · 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM · McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale · All ages · From $15 · checked Nov 4. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park presents one of Scottsdale's most beloved family traditions as the Paradise & Pacific Railroad chugs through a wonderland of sparkling holiday…
- [World of Illumination: Reindeer Road Drive-Through Light Show](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/world-of-illumination-reindeer-road-drive-through-light-show--listing-da829096755eeb5ae9b5ee30) — Nov 13 – Jan 3 · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Tempe Diablo Stadium · All ages · From $39.99 · checked Nov 7. World of Illumination returns to the East Valley with 'Reindeer Road' at Tempe Diablo Stadium, immersing visitors into an enchanting Arctic wonderland from their cars. Families…
- [ZooLights 2026–27](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/zoolights-2026-27--listing-b2f29b7ea221f835ab220adb) — Nov 25 – Jan 15 · 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM · Phoenix Zoo · All ages · From $35 · checked Oct 12. Walk illuminated zoo trails, enjoy a lake light show and discover interactive holiday displays together.
- [Elf in Concert — The Phoenix Symphony](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/elf-in-concert-the-phoenix-symphony--listing-23612eae26ee7b1fd1fe2c03) — Fri, Nov 27 (+2 more dates) · 2:00 PM · Symphony Hall · Paid · checked Oct 28. The Phoenix Symphony plays John Debney's complete score live to the film Elf on a giant screen at Symphony Hall over Thanksgiving weekend. Buddy, raised among Santa's elves at…
- [Fantasy of Lights Opening Parade & Street Market (Downtown Tempe)](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/activities/fantasy-of-lights-opening-parade-and-street-market-downtown-tempe--listing-9e15ddf6032cefb5ab25a6d2) — Fri, Nov 27 · 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM · Downtown Tempe & Mill Avenue · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. On Black Friday evening, the Downtown Tempe Fantasy of Lights Street Parade & Tree Lighting transforms historic Mill Avenue into a sparkling holiday festival. Families gather…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids at Phoenix Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/venues/phoenix-zoo) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/venues/phoenix-zoo.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Maricopa County, AZ](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/counties/maricopa-county-az) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/counties/maricopa-county-az.md)
- [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in Phoenix](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/christmas.md)
- [Thanksgiving break with kids in Phoenix](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/thanksgiving) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/thanksgiving.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Phoenix — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/events/2026-11.md)
- [This weekend in Phoenix](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Phoenix](https://grassyknees.com/phoenix) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/phoenix.md)
