ZooLights returns to the National Zoo on November 20

ZooLights will return to the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., marking its eighteenth year of festive evening strolls. The seasonal celebration begins on Friday, November 20, 2026, and continues across designated dates through Sunday, January 3, 2027. Guests can wander outdoor walkways lit by glowing displays, taking in quiet scenes throughout the grounds.

The event is scheduled to run rain or shine across every designated evening on the zoo's calendar. Visiting hours are set from 5 to 9 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, while Sunday evenings welcome attendees from 5 to 8 p.m. This schedule gives evening visitors ample time to view the illuminated paths at an unhurried pace.

Lanterns and natural habitats

Along the walkways, guests can encounter one million environmentally friendly LED lights woven throughout the zoo's grounds. The experience also features more than 100 lanterns designed to depict various natural landscapes. These custom displays illustrate ocean, desert, grassland, rainforest, and polar habitats, bringing different corners of the natural world to life.

Each glowing lantern display highlights the animals that make these diverse landscapes their home. Visitors can view representations of wildlife belonging to polar ice, deep oceans, and lush tropical forests as they follow the marked trails. The extensive lighting provides a peaceful outdoor journey centered entirely around the natural world.

Evenings of music and trivia

Along with the luminous displays, the zoo has arranged a calendar of evening entertainment for visitors. Guests walking the pathways can listen to visiting carolers and watch live entertainment spread across the grounds. Those looking for an interactive activity can also take part in holiday trivia sessions during their evening walk.

Warm refreshments, including hot cocoa and treats, will be available on site for attendees. The schedule also includes specific dates set aside for particular groups of visitors throughout the season. The zoo has designated Wednesday, December 16, as an adults-only night, following two special member nights planned for December 8 and December 9.

Dates and reservations

The full calendar of open nights includes several distinct spans across late autumn and the holiday season. The event welcomes visitors from November 20 to 22, November 27 to 29, and December 4 to 6. Additional dates run from December 11 to 13, on December 16, through the stretch from December 18 to 23, across December 26 to 30, and concluding January 2 to 3.

Advance planning is necessary for those who wish to attend the festivities. Timed tickets are required for entry and must be bought directly from the zoo rather than third-party outlets. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, every visit to the annual event helps directly support the institution's ongoing conservation mission.