State by State Stunning Holiday Zoo Light Wonderlands

As the holiday season approaches, zoos across the United States transform into glittering wonderlands, inviting visitors of all ages to experience the magic of the season. These enchanting events blend the thrill of wildlife with the warmth of holiday cheer, as pathways come alive with millions of twinkling lights, vibrant displays, and festive decor.

From dazzling light shows to themed exhibits, each zoo offers a unique and magical experience in wildly wonderful ways. Listed in alphabetical order by state, let us know if we missed your favorite Zoo lights in your state! 

 

Smithsonian's National Zoo Zoolights, Washington, DC

The ZooLights event dazzles with over 500,000 LED lights, including glowing animal sculptures, synchronized music shows, and holiday-themed stalls offering treats and warm beverages. Free admission makes this a must-see attraction for locals and visitors alike.

 

Birmingham Zoo Glow Wild - Birmingham, Alabama 

Glow Wild features lantern displays, lighted pathways, and seasonal treats

 

Alaska Zoo Zoo Lights - Anchorage, Alaska

Zoo Lights transforms the zoo into a magical winter wonderland, with colorful lights and animal-themed displays.

 

Phoenix Zoo ZooLights - Phoenix, Arizona

ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo is a beloved holiday tradition, featuring millions of lights, a Polar Slide, and a festive train ride for visitors of all ages.

 

Reid Park Zoo ZooLights -  Tucson, Arizona

Holiday Magic features thousands of lights, festive displays, and a chance to visit Santa Claus.

 

Little Rock Zoo Holiday Lights - Little Rock, Arkansas 

Holiday Lights includes twinkling displays, festive decorations, and holiday activities for families.

 

Los Angeles Zoo, Animals Aglow - Los Angeles, California

LA Zoo Lights features thousands of LED lights, a disco ball forest, and illuminated animal displays, creating a vibrant and festive experience for the whole family.

 

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, WildLights - Palm Desert, California

WildLights invites guests to see the Zoo in a whole new light featuring an enhanced light design with three million lights throughout the park, live nightly entertainment, Instagram-worthy festive photo ops, delectable wintertime treats, and much more!

 

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California

The San Diego Zoo features a winter wonderland with its Jungle Bells celebration. The zoo is adorned with festive lights, and guests can enjoy special holiday-themed animal presentations.

 

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Electric Safari - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo features over 85 one-of-a-kind light sculptures celebrating the season with the animals at the same time!

 

Denver Zoo Zoo Lights - Denver, Colorado

Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo dazzles visitors with over 80 acres of illuminated displays, including animated animal sculptures and a chance to meet Santa Claus.

 

Beardsley Zoo Holiday Lights at the Zoo - Bridgeport, Connecticut

Holiday Lights at the Zoo offers festive lights, a chance to meet Santa, and holiday-themed animal exhibits.

 

Brandywine Zoo Holiday Lights - Wilmington, Delaware

Holiday Lights at Brandywine is a charming event with twinkling lights and seasonal decor.

 

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens ZooLights - Jacksonville, Florida

ZooLights at the Jacksonville Zoo features a winter wonderland of lights, a dynamic light show, and festive activities for families to enjoy.

 

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, Christmas in the Wild - Tampa, Florida

ZooTampa's "Christmas in the Wild" features twinkling lights, festive music, and themed areas, allowing guests to experience the magic of the holidays in a tropical setting.

 

Zoo Atlanta - Atlanta, Georgia

IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival showcases breathtaking lantern sculptures of animals and nature, lit with brilliant colors and artistic designs. The event highlights the beauty of wildlife while celebrating the holiday spirit.

 

Chehaw Park & Zoo Festival of Lights - Albany, Georgia 

Festival of Lights features illuminated pathways and a fun, festive atmosphere.

 

Brookfield Zoo, Holiday Magic - Chicago, Illinois

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo features over a million LED lights, a laser light show, and interactive exhibits, making it one of the most enchanting holiday celebrations in the Midwest.

 

Lincoln Park Zoo ZooLights - Chicago, Illinois

The ZooLights event at Lincoln Park Zoo features millions of lights, ice-sculpting demonstrations, carousel rides, and festive snacks. This free-admission event draws visitors from across the Midwest for a delightful holiday outing.

 

Indianapolis Zoo, Christmas at the Zoo - Indianapolis, Indiana

Dating back to 1967, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo features a light sprinkling of snow and the glow of twinkling lights filling the sky, creating a magical nighttime experience that has become one of Central Indiana’s most beloved holiday traditions.

 

Louisville Zoo Wild Lights Lantern Festival - Louisville, Kentucky

Wild Lights Lantern Festival showcases beautiful lantern sculptures celebrating nature and wildlife.

 

Audubon Zoo Lights at the Zoo - New Orleans, Louisiana

Lights at the Zoo combines holiday lights, festive food, and entertainment.

 

Maine Wildlife Park Holiday Lights - Gray, Maine 

Holiday Lights features seasonal decor and glowing animal displays celebrating local wildlife.

 

Stone Zoo ZooLights - Stoneham, Massachusetts

ZooLights delights visitors with thousands of holiday lights and visits from Santa Claus.

 

Franklin Park Zoo Boston Lights - Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Lights features a Lantern Experience showcases colorful lantern displays with a holiday twist.

 

Detroit Zoo Wild Lights - Royal Oak, Michigan

Wild Lights illuminates the zoo with millions of LED lights and animated displays.

 

Minnesota Zoo Nature Illuminated - Apple Valley, Minnesota

The Minnesota Zoo's Nature Illuminated event combines stunning light displays with the zoo's natural surroundings, creating a magical and immersive holiday experience.

 

Hattiesburg Zoo, Lights of the Wild, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Lights of the Wild features a dazzling holiday experience with larger-than-life light displays, holiday traditions, and snow much more! Enjoy rides on the Northern Lights Express Train, photos with Santa, and story time with Mrs. Claus. 

 

Jackson Zoo Holiday Zoo - Jackson, Mississippi

Holiday Zoo Lights offers a family-friendly experience with twinkling lights and festive music.

 

Kansas City Zoo Zootastik Lights - Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City Zoo's Zootastik Lights event offers a winter wonderland experience with colorful lights, festive decorations, and themed areas for families to explore.

 

St. Louis Zoo Wild Lights - St. Louis, Missouri

Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo enchants guests with thousands of lights, animated displays, and seasonal activities, transforming the zoo into a festive paradise.

 

Zoo Montana, Holiday Nights, Billings, Montana

Zoo Montana celebrates the season with its Christmas holiday lighting experience featuring one of the largest light displays in the region. 10+ million lights, large-scale displays, garland, and festive decor transforms the Zoo into a winter Christmas village.

 

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights - Omaha, Nebraska

The Wildlights event invites guests to explore the zoo adorned with millions of twinkling lights, light tunnels, and illuminated animal sculptures. Warm drinks and seasonal treats are available as you stroll through this winter wonderland.

 

Lincoln Children’s Zoo Lights - Lincoln, Nebraska

Zoo Lights Powered by LES features festive displays, colorful lights, and seasonal cheer.

 

Sierra Safari Zoo Holiday Lights Safari - Reno, Nevada

Holiday Lights Safari blends festive lighting with the charm of this wildlife park.

 

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Winter Lights - Holderness, New Hampshire

Winter Lights offers glowing displays and a celebration of nature.

 

ABQ BioPark Zoo River of Lights - Albuquerque, New Mexico

River of Lights is a massive holiday event featuring sculptures, animated light displays, and festive music.

 

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights - New York City, New York

The Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights transforms the zoo into a mesmerizing display of over a million lights, creating a magical atmosphere for families to enjoy during the winter season.

 

North Carolina Zoo Winter Wonderlights -  Asheboro, North Carolina

Winter Wonderlights features colorful light trails, glowing lanterns, and holiday-themed activities.

 

Toledo Zoo, Lights Before Christmas, Toledo, Ohio

Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo features more than a million holiday lights, over 200 illuminated animals, a winter village, an ice slide, photos with Santa, and a giant Norway spruce tree (Big Tree) decorated with thousands of LED lights. 

 

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden - Cincinnati, Ohio

PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland with millions of LED lights, themed areas, and the popular Frozen Wonderland.

 

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Wildlights - Columbus, Ohio

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo features millions of LED lights, animated light shows, and festive entertainment, creating a sparkling holiday experience for visitors of all ages.

 

Oklahoma City Zoo Safari Lights - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Safari Lights combines a drive-through light experience with walk-through exhibits.

 

Oregon Zoo ZooLights - Portland, Oregon

ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo transforms the grounds into a twinkling paradise with over a million lights. Visitors can stroll through themed areas, including the popular Tunnel of Lights.

 

Philadelphia Zoo, LumiNature - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo is a winter spectacular with dazzling light installations, immersive exhibits, and festive performances that bring the zoo to life during the holiday season.

 

Roger Williams Park Zoo, Holiday Lights Spectacular, Providence, Rhode Island

The Holiday Lights Spectacular features a winter wonderland walk through experience with over 3.5 million lights, enchanting displays, festive decorations and a holiday New England experience. 

 

Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas - Columbia, South Carolina

Lights Before Christmas is a cherished tradition featuring colorful displays and holiday music.

 

Great Plains Zoo ZooLights - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

ZooLights Festival highlights lighted animal sculptures and festive decor.

 

Chattanooga Zoo Holiday Lights - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Holiday Lights offers twinkling lights, Santa visits, and holiday-themed activities.

 

Memphis Zoo - Memphis, Tennessee

Zoo Lights at the Memphis Zoo boasts over a million lights, a 90-foot LED Ferris wheel, and themed areas, making it a must-see holiday attraction in the region.

 

Nashville Zoo Zoolumination - Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Zoo's Zoolumination transforms the zoo with Chinese lanterns, creating a breathtaking display that showcases the beauty of Asian culture during the holiday season.

 

Dallas Zoo Lights - Dallas, Texas

The Dallas Zoo's "Dallas Zoo Lights" event features a remarkable display of over one million lights, creating a magical holiday experience for visitors of all ages.

 

Fort Worth Zoo Texas Wildlights - Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Wildlights showcases brilliant light displays and festive attractions.

 

Houston Zoo Zoo Lights - Houston, Texas

The Houston Zoo's Zoo Lights event illuminates the zoo with colorful lights, life-sized animal sculptures, and a glittering reflection pool, creating a magical holiday ambiance.

 

Hogle Zoo ZooLights - Salt Lake City, Utah 

ZooLights features animated displays, light tunnels, and festive activities.

 

ECHO Leahy Center - Burlington, Vermont

Though primarily an aquarium, their Seasonal Celebration includes holiday-themed displays and lights.

 

Virginia Zoo ZooLights - Norfolk, Virginia

The Virginia Zoo's "ZooLights" event brings the magic of the holidays to life with colorful lights, animated displays, and festive activities for the whole family to enjoy.

 

Woodland Park Zoo WildLanterns - Seattle, Washington

The WildLanterns event captivates guests with stunning light sculptures inspired by animals and ecosystems from around the globe. It’s an awe-inspiring journey through illuminated exhibits.

 

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Zoolights  - Tacoma, Washington

Zoolights features animated displays, colorful lights, and breathtaking views of Mount Rainier.

 

Oglebay Good Zoo Festival of Lights - Wheeling, West Virginia

Festival of Lights includes a zoo experience and millions of twinkling lights.

 

Milwaukee County Zoo Wild Lights - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wild Lights combines dazzling displays with holiday cheer for the entire family.

 

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Electric Safari - Cheyenne, Wyoming

Electric Safari features over one million lights, animal sculptures, and seasonal warmth.

 

These zoos and their spectacular holiday light events offer the perfect way to celebrate the season while connecting with nature and wildlife. Whether you're visiting with family, friends, or a special someone, these dazzling displays promise a holiday experience to remember.