No, L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow is a special event held after regular Zoo hours. Daytime Zoo admission tickets are not valid for this nighttime event. L.A. Zoo Lights tickets must be purchased separately. Daytime guests must exit the Zoo and reenter with an L.A. Zoo Lights ticket. 

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow is for all ages.

A valid ID is required to purchase alcoholic beverages once inside Zoo grounds.

Yes, Zoo members must purchase tickets to this special event, which is held after regular Zoo hours. To buy discounted tickets online, you must sign in.

Yes, members are welcome to use the members-only entrance located by the Membership booth, to the left of the admission gates. 

Yes! Military discounts are only available at the Zoo Lights Box Office (Membership Booth). Please present a valid military ID at the time of ticket purchase. Discounts cannot be combined with any other offers.

There is no discount for AAA members.

Two entry times are offered to improve the guest experience. Timed tickets allow us to manage capacity in the parking lot and inside the Zoo. 

Yes, online ticket purchases can be made with a debit card that has a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo. Purchases can also be made in cash at the L.A. Zoo Lights Box Office (Membership Booth) between 5:45 and 8:45 p.m. on event nights, subject to availability.

You may show your electronic ticket on your mobile device or present your printed ticket at the gate. Either way, please have your barcode ready to be scanned at the gate.

No, once the ticket has been scanned upon entry, any additional attempts will scan as invalid tickets. There is no reentry once you exit the Zoo. except on December 9, during Sensory-Inclusive Zoo Lights.

Yes, your ticket is only valid for the date you selected during your purchase. Check your ticket or confirmation email for the date.

There are no refunds. This is a rain or shine event. If your plans change, you can exchange your tickets by emailing event.tickets@zoo.lacity.org or calling 213-787-6079 with your contact information, order number, and preferred date and time. Our phone line is staffed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 7:30 p.m. on L.A. Zoo Lights event nights. There is a $5 per ticket rescheduling fee, plus any difference in ticket price. Subject to ticket availability.

Wear a raincoat or bring an umbrella! L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow is a rain-or-shine special event. No rain checks will be issued for this event. NOTE: The light displays pose no danger when exposed to water. In case of severe weather, some attractions may be closed.

A ticket must be purchased for each member of your group. If all tickets were purchased at once, the single confirmation email will provide access to all tickets. If the entire group is arriving together, one individual may present all tickets for scanning at the gate on behalf of your group, either on a mobile device or as printed tickets.

If you are arriving separately, please distribute a ticket to each member ahead of time. This can be done by screenshotting each ticket and emailing or texting it to each member, or by printing and cutting each ticket out. Be mindful not to give the same ticket to more than one person, as tickets are unique and can only be scanned once at our gates.

To purchase tickets for groups of 15 or more, please email event.tickets@zoo.lacity.org or call 213-787-6079 with your contact information, requested number of tickets, and preferred date and time.  Our phone line is staffed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 7:30 p.m. on L.A. Zoo Lights event nights.

Yes, tickets can be given to friends and family as gifts. Once a ticket is redeemed, however, it cannot be used again, regardless of how many copies are printed.

Change of plans? Exchange your tickets for a $5 per ticket rescheduling fee, plus any difference in ticket prices. Subject to ticket availability. To exchange tickets email event.tickets@zoo.lacity.org or call 213-787-6079 with your contact information, order number, and preferred date and time. Our phone line is staffed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 7:30 p.m. on L.A. Zoo Lights event nights.

Your confirmation number can be found in the “Your Order Summary” section of your order confirmation email, as well as in the subject line of the Order Confirmation Email [Example – Los Angeles Zoo Order Confirmation (Order #)]. Your order confirmation will be sent from no-reply-estore@zoo.lacity.org.

A confirmation email containing electronic ticket(s) is sent automatically after a ticket order is placed. It is sent from no-reply-estore@zoo.lacity.org. If you purchased tickets and didn’t receive your confirmation email, check your spam folder, email event.tickets@zoo.lacity.org, call 213-787-6079, or visit our Box Office (Membership Booth) between 5:45 and 8:45 p.m. on event nights. 

L.A. Zoo Lights is L.A.’s wildest holiday tradition. Guests immerse themselves in a dazzling world of lantern sculptures and lights, with exciting new elements that will delight and entertain the entire family. In 2025 the event brings guests through a holiday themed wonderland; the weird and wonderful world of plants and pollinators featuring larger than life birds, butterflies, insects and flowers; glowing lanterns depicting wildlife of Southeast Asia; and an African landscape that includes representation of the continent’s iconic regions and wildlife, all illuminated by spectacular sculptural lights.

In addition to the all-new lanterns and light displays, the Zoo is returning some of last year’s fan favorites including the interactive displays, a giant walk-in kaleidoscope, seasonal treats and cocktails, and photo-ops through the park including Santa Claus himself (for an additional fee). Guests can ride the carousel and enjoy warming treats like churros, smores, and hot cocoa. Those 21 and older can enjoy beer, wine, and spiked hot cocoa available every night, and cash bars Friday through Sunday.  

Yes, it’s meant to be enjoyed by guests of all ages! As this is a self-guided walking experience, consider carriers or strollers for younger children. Strollers are available for rent at the Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Santa will be present at L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow this year on select nights only: November 13-16, 21-23, 28-30 and December 5-7, 9, 12-14, 17-23. Santa photos will be available for an additional fee. Cost varies by package. See Price List Here.

The L.A. Zoo Lights experience takes 60 to 90 minutes for most guests.

No, only about half of the Zoo will be open for L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow.

Since L.A. Zoo Lights is a special evening event, there will be no live animals on view. They will be off-exhibit and in their night quarters.

No, the lights are primarily placed in areas separate from the animal exhibits. Our animal care staff is involved with route planning and approves the placement of all displays. Most animals will be in their night quarters during the event and will not be impacted. Those animals that will be exposed to some amount of light will have at least seven full hours of darkness starting when the light displays are turned off for the evening.

The event takes place outdoors, within Zoo grounds. 

As this is a rain-or-shine event, consider bringing an umbrella if rain is in the forecast. In case of severe weather, some interactive play areas may not be operable. There are no refunds distributed on rainy nights.  

There is no reentry during this event except on December 9, during Sensory-Inclusive Zoo Lights.

No, the shuttle will not be running during L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow. For guests who may not be able to walk the entire route, manual and electric wheelchairs are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. 

L.A. Zoo Lights is located at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Closed most Mondays and Tuesdays, plus Thanksgiving Day (November 27), Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas Day (December 25), and New Year’s Eve (December 31). Box Office is open on event days from 5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. 

No, face coverings are not required. Guests can choose whether or not to wear them. Our partner organization KultureCity has provided a video with mask tips for families and individuals within the sensory community; view it here.

If you or a member of your party are experiencing symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, please do not come to the Zoo. You may exchange your tickets for a $5 per ticket rescheduling fee, plus any difference in ticket price, subject to ticket availability. To exchange tickets, email events.tickets@zoo.lacity.org or call 213-787-6079 with your contact information, order number, and preferred date and time. Our phone line is staffed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 7:30 p.m. on L.A. Zoo Lights event nights. There are no refunds. 

Yes, strollers and wheelchairs are allowed.

Yes, both manual and electric wheelchairs and strollers are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis inside the Zoo at the International Marketplace. Manual wheelchair rental is $15 and ECV (electric scooter) is $40. Both manual and ECV rentals require a $25 cash deposit. Stroller rental is $15 for single and $20 for double. 

If unable to wait in long lines prior to entering the Zoo, please see an L.A. Zoo Lights staff member for assistance. 

In addition to the Zoo’s general prohibited items, outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the event, including those purchased from vendors outside of the Zoo’s front entrance. The L.A. Zoo reserves the right to inspect bags or containers upon entry. 

The Los Angeles Zoo allows service animals on its premises to provide assistance to people with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, “a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to assist a person with a disability.” If you plan to bring your service animal to the Zoo, please click here to view guidelines for making the trip a safe one for yourself, your service dog, the animals in our care, and other patrons.