Sensory-Friendly Night at ZooLights — Oregon Zoo

Sensory-friendly: quieter music, cool-down spaces, limited participation to minimize crowds; free sensory kits at the entrance; KultureCity app and social story. Tickets bought in advance online.

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About this adventure

One evening of the Oregon Zoo's ZooLights season is set aside for guests with sensory processing needs and their families. On the sensory-friendly night the music along the light displays is turned down, attendance is capped to keep crowds small, and cool-down spaces are available when a break is needed. Free sensory kits can be borrowed at the zoo entrance with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads. The zoo suggests downloading the free KultureCity app beforehand to see the available resources and a social story that walks children through the visit. Families still get the full ZooLights experience: walking through tunnels of glittering lights, seeing life-size animal lanterns, and riding the zoo train past the displays. Dress for an evening outdoors in November and buy the separate sensory-night ticket online; daytime zoo tickets do not include ZooLights.