Lincoln Park ZooLights 2026: Dates, Tickets, Hours and Tips

Lincoln Park ZooLights 2026 runs from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $7 to $20, and admission is free with registration on four select Mondays. With more than 3 million lights, a Ferris Wheel, and visits with Santa, ZooLights has been a Chicago holiday tradition since 1995. For a full holiday day in the city, spend the afternoon at Holidays @ Skydeck, where Skydeck Chicago is decked out for the season 103 floors above the city, then head north for the lights.

When Is Lincoln Park ZooLights 2026?

ZooLights 2026 opens Friday, November 20, 2026 and runs through Sunday, January 3, 2027. ZooLights is closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 26), December 1, 8, and 15, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. It is open on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and the event goes on rain, snow, or shine, so dress for the weather.

Lincoln Park Zoo members can get a first look at Member Preview Night on Thursday, November 19.

When Does ZooLights End?

The last night of ZooLights is Sunday, January 3, 2027. If your holiday plans are still taking shape, Flexible Admission tickets can be used on any night of the season, so you can pick your night later and work around the weather.

What Time Does ZooLights Open and Close?

ZooLights runs from 4:30 to 9 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m. Fixed Date tickets include a suggested entry time, and the zoo asks guests to arrive within an hour of it, though late arrivals are not turned away. Some special events follow their own schedule. Adults Night Out, for example, runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Do You Need Tickets for ZooLights?

Yes. Tickets are required every night of ZooLights, including the free Monday nights. You can choose a ticket for a specific date or a flexible ticket that works any night of the season. Tickets are available at tickets.lpzoo.org.

How Much Are ZooLights Tickets?

ZooLights tickets cost $7 to $20 per person, depending on the date and ticket type.

All ZooLights tickets are nonrefundable, but you can forward them to a friend or family member if your plans change. A limited number of tickets may be sold at the gates, so buying ahead is the safer plan.

Rides are priced separately. Most attractions, including the Endangered Species Carousel and the Lionel Train Adventure, cost $4.50 per guest. The Ferris Wheel and Gorilla Trek cost $9 per guest.

Is ZooLights Free?

ZooLights is free on four Mondays in 2026: November 23 and 30 and December 7 and 14. You still need a ticket for every guest, including infants. Free tickets are released one week before each date at 11 a.m. On all other nights, tickets cost $7 to $20.

What Is There to Do at ZooLights?

ZooLights brings more than 3 million LED Christmas lights, all powered by wind energy, to Lincoln Park Zoo. Highlights for 2026 include:

• The light tunnel: Walk through an expansive tunnel of lights on the Main Mall.
• The Ferris Wheel: See ZooLights from above.
• A light show on the South Lawn: Stop for a narrated light show.
• Santa at the North Pole: Visit Santa in the Pepper Family Wildlife Center nightly through December 23.
• Ice carvers and carolers: Watch live ice carving on Friday and Saturday nights, and listen for strolling carolers on Sundays through December 21.
• The Light Lounge: Warm up with hot cocoa and snacks among glowing furniture at Foreman Pavilion.
• Holiday food and drinks: Find hot cocoa stations, fire pits for roasting s’mores, and a holiday pop-up bar.

Special Event Nights at ZooLights 2026

Looking for more holiday lights? See our guides to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

What Should You Know Before You Go?

• Every guest needs a ticket: This includes infants and children.
• No outside food or drinks: Food and drinks are available for purchase throughout the zoo.
• Strollers are allowed: Crowded nights can make them harder to maneuver.
• Pets are not allowed: Service animals are welcome.
• Animals may not always be visible: Animals can choose to stay out of public view, but you can warm up inside zoo buildings on a self-guided tour.

Is Lincoln Park Zoo Open in Winter?

Yes. Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year, and daytime admission is always free. Gates open at 8 a.m. and buildings open at 10 a.m. ZooLights is a separate evening event that requires a ticket. Daytime hours can end early on special event days, so check lpzoo.org before you go.

Where Do You Park for ZooLights?

The zoo’s parking lot entrance is at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive. The first 30 minutes are free, and standard daily rates are $35 to $45. Lincoln Park Zoo members receive discounted or free parking. Parking is limited during ZooLights, and staff temporarily close the lot when it fills, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. The zoo recommends public transit or rideshare when possible, and rates can change for special events, so confirm on lpzoo.org before you drive.

To skip parking, the CTA #151 Sheridan bus stops at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Pair ZooLights with Holidays @ Skydeck

Holidays @ Skydeck runs November 13, 2026 through January 4, 2027, so it overlaps every night of ZooLights. During the season, Skydeck’s lower-level Chicago Museum and observation deck are decorated with thousands of twinkling lights, festive décor, and holiday photo ops, with Santa visits and seasonal entertainment added to the experience.

Because ZooLights starts at 4:30 p.m., the easiest plan is to visit Skydeck in the afternoon and head to the zoo as the lights come on. Winter sunsets come early, so an afternoon visit lets you see the skyline in daylight and at dusk. From 103 floors up in Willis Tower, you can see the city’s skyline 1,353 feet above street level, step out onto The Ledge, a glass balcony extending 4.3 feet outside the building, and explore the Chicago Museum, all included with general admission. Families get holiday photo ops above the city in the afternoon, then a visit with Santa at ZooLights, who is there nightly through December 23.

From October 1 through February 28, Skydeck is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Last entry is 30 minutes before close.

How Far Is Skydeck from Lincoln Park Zoo?

Skydeck is about 3 miles from Lincoln Park Zoo.

• By car or rideshare: It’s a short drive between the two. If you’re driving, you can reserve discounted parking near Willis Tower in advance.
• By CTA bus: The #151 Sheridan bus connects Lincoln Park Zoo and downtown, ending at Union Station. Get off near Wacker Drive, and Willis Tower is a short walk away at 233 S. Wacker Drive.

Celebrate the Holidays 103 Floors Up

Holidays @ Skydeck turns the highest observation deck in the U.S. into a holiday destination, with seasonal décor, photo ops, and festive entertainment alongside Skydeck’s 3-in-1 experience: sweeping skyline views, The Ledge, and the Chicago Museum. Skydeck is open 365 days a year. Check the Holidays @ Skydeck schedule, buy your Skydeck tickets in advance, and head to ZooLights for the evening.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre el evento «ZooLights» del Lincoln Park

When does Lincoln Park ZooLights 2026 start and end?

ZooLights 2026 runs from Friday, November 20, 2026 through Sunday, January 3, 2027.

What time does ZooLights close?

ZooLights closes at 9 p.m., and last entry is at 8 p.m. It opens at 4:30 p.m. every night of the season.

What days is ZooLights closed?

ZooLights is closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 26), December 1, 8, and 15, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Can you visit ZooLights for free?

ZooLights is free on Mondays, November 23 and 30 and December 7 and 14, 2026, but every guest still needs a ticket. On other nights, tickets cost $7 to $20.

Does ZooLights happen in bad weather?

Yes. ZooLights takes place rain, snow, or shine, so dress for the weather.

Can you visit Lincoln Park Zoo during the winter?

Yes. Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year, and daytime admission is always free.

¿Hay luces navideñas en el zoológico de Chicago?

Yes. Lincoln Park Zoo hosts ZooLights every holiday season, with more than 3 million lights across the zoo grounds.

What is Holidays @ Skydeck?

Holidays @ Skydeck is Skydeck Chicago’s seasonal celebration, running November 13, 2026 through January 4, 2027. Skydeck’s lower-level Chicago Museum and observation deck are decorated with thousands of lights and holiday décor, plus Santa visits, holiday photo ops, and seasonal entertainment.

¿Se puede visitar el Skydeck y el ZooLights en un solo día?

Yes. Skydeck is about 3 miles from Lincoln Park Zoo, so you can visit Skydeck in the afternoon and arrive at ZooLights when it opens at 4:30 p.m.