Zoo Lights Gets a Wild Makeover: What Palm Beach Families Need to Know
If your family has strolled through Zoo Lights before, get ready to forget what you think you know. Zoo Lights: Magic in the Wild at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society returns for its eighth year, and it’s the biggest transformation the event has ever seen. Instead of a string of separate displays, this year’s Zoo Lights tells one story, with each stop leading you into a new mood and a new surprise.
Nov. 20, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 (select nights)
Your Evening, Chapter by Chapter
Holiday Wonderland. Start with the twinkling light displays and the visit with Santa that your family loves. Now your little ones can also write Santa a letter and settle in for fireside stories with Mrs. Claus. Cocoa and cookies are part of the magic, too.
Polar Wonderland. This one is brand new. A projection experience whisks you to the Arctic and Antarctic with sweeping images and the glowing aurora borealis. It’s a wow-factor moment, perfect for kids who think they’ve seen it all.
A Glowing Farewell. The finale is a bioluminescent pathway, with water that actually glows as you stroll alongside it. It’s the kind of moment kids will still be talking about in the car ride home.
Meet the Night Shift: Koalas and Sloths After Dark
Here’s a Zoo Lights first: the koala and sloth habitats are open for evening viewing, and zoologists will be on hand for chats. Koalas are naturally crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at twilight and at night, so this is your chance to see behaviors rarely on display during the day, like active foraging and climbing.
To keep the animals comfortable, zoologists will use soft, low-intensity red lighting in the habitats. It lets the animal care team monitor the koalas’ well-being while your family watches, and the habitat stays dark, peaceful, and undisturbed. It’s a great chance to explain to curious kids why some animals are wide awake when the rest of us are winding down.
Fresh Fun for the Whole Family
- Free activities all over the Zoo, including letters to Santa, ornament decorating, soap carving and sculpting at the African Sculpture Garden
- A dedicated space for menorah lighting during Hanukkah
- A fountain running for the first time during Zoo Lights. Yes, the kids will want to splash, so pack the swimsuits if you want!
Tickets and Tips for Stress-Free Fun
- Timed ticketing means every guest can enjoy Zoo Lights at a comfortable pace, with no elbow-to-elbow shuffling. Choose your time and soak it all in.
- Family packages help stretch your holiday budget.
- Combo tickets let you see Zoo Lights at night and return another day to visit the animals in the sunshine. It’s two totally different Zoo experiences.
- Thanksgiving night: The Zoo isn’t open during the day on Thanksgiving, but for the first time, Zoo Lights will be open that evening. It’s a fun way to start a new holiday tradition.
- Tickets are on sale now, and select nights can fill up, so book early.
Parents’ Night Out (Yes, Really)
Zoo Lights isn’t just for the kids. Grab your partner or your friends and book one of the 21+ nights on Dec. 3, 10 and 17 for a grown-up evening among the lights, minus the little ones.
Every ticket also supports the Zoo’s ongoing wildlife care and conservation work, so your holiday outing does some good, too.
Get dates, times and event information at palmbeachzoo.org/zoo-lights.
