# Glowfari: A Wildly Illuminating Lantern Festival at Oakland Zoo

> Event for families in the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont area (CA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: Nov 6 – Jan 31 · 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Where: Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605
- Ages: All ages (free for toddlers under 2; paved stroller-friendly paths and ADA gondola)
- Price: Adults $28; Children (2–14) $24; Children under 2 free. Plan-ahead pricing; advance tickets required
- Organizer: Oakland Zoo & Conservation Society of California
- Official page: https://www.oaklandzoo.org/glowfari
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

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/san-francisco/activities/glowfari-a-wildly-illuminating-lantern-festival-at-oakland-zoo--listing-b7f793191e2a9c60028d2e43

## About

The Oakland Zoo transforms each winter into an enchanting nighttime safari illuminated by hundreds of towering, handcrafted silk animal lanterns. Families stroll through glowing wildlife zones featuring towering elephants, shimmering undersea reefs, life-sized dinosaurs, and California wildlife. The illuminated gondola ride carries guests high above the glowing park to the California Trail.

Paved walkways offer smooth stroller access throughout the zoo. Young children can visit Santa in his holiday workshop, ride the illuminated holiday carousel, and sip warm hot cocoa beside warming fire stations. Timed entry tickets should be booked online in advance; children under 2 are free.

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