# ZooLights at Smithsonian's National Zoo > Event for families in the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria area (DC / VA / MD / WV). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Nov 20 – Jan 3 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM - Where: Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 - Ages: All ages (children 2 and under free; stroller-friendly paved zoo paths) - Price: $10 per person (ages 3 and older); free for children 2 and under. Advance online ticket reservation strictly required. Parking $30 in advance. - Organizer: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute - Official page: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/zoolights - 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/washington-dc/activities/zoolights-at-smithsonian-s-national-zoo--listing-82cee0b8f089f5f8d28eb8e7 ## About A cherished Washington capital tradition for nearly two decades, Smithsonian's National Zoo ZooLights transforms the world-famous park into a radiant winter wonderland with over 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights, towering custom glowing animal lanterns, and immersive illuminated light tunnels. Families stroll past luminous giant pandas, Asian elephants, playful sea lions, and African lions, accompanied by festive seasonal music and live community performance ensembles. Children can hop aboard the illuminated Conservation Carousel or ride the Zoo Train along Olmsted Walk, while parents stay energized with warm churros, spiced cider, artisan s'mores kits, and rich hot cocoa from outdoor food stations. Indoor animal houses such as the Reptile Discovery Center and Small Mammal House remain open during early evening hours, offering warm respites where kids can meet live animals. The entire zoo loop is paved and stroller-friendly, though pushing up the hill back toward Connecticut Avenue requires sturdy walking shoes. ## Similar picks in Washington, DC - [National Zoo ZooLights: Opening Night 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/national-zoo-zoolights-opening-night-2026--listing-a40a15cc832bb4f74ffef78c) — Fri, Nov 20 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Smithsonian's National Zoo · From $10 · checked Oct 11. See illuminated pathways and animal lanterns at the zoo's seasonal evening celebration. Daytime animal exhibits are generally closed during this lights event. - [Enchant Christmas at Nationals Park](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/enchant-christmas-at-nationals-park--listing-a34767983529ae349aa8abb2) — Nov 20 – Dec 27 · 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM · Nationals Park · All ages · From $25 · checked Nov 4. Returning to Nationals Park for the first time in three seasons, Enchant Christmas transforms the Major League Baseball diamond into the world's largest illuminated light maze… - [Brookside Gardens: Garden of Lights](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/brookside-gardens-garden-of-lights--listing-269a1ef54327017c3d279baa) — Nov 20 – Jan 3 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Brookside Gardens, Wheaton · All ages · From $13.99 · checked Nov 4. 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Walk a half-mile paved illuminated trail featuring plants, insects, animals and seasonal displays. ## More for families - [Things to do with kids in District of Columbia, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/counties/district-of-columbia-dc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/counties/district-of-columbia-dc.md) - [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in Washington, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/christmas.md) - [Things to do with kids in Washington, DC — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/events/2026-11.md) - [This weekend in Washington, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Washington, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc.md)