Come on out with friends and family and check out the celebration of ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo! This one-of-a-kind, festive holiday experience offers a free, merry, family-oriented celebration of joy right in the heart of the city. Normally, tickets are just $5 to get into the Zoo, but every Monday starting November 21st through January 1st, you and your little elves can make your way into Lincoln Park Zoo for absolutely FREE! Tickets to Free Admission Mondays will be released the Tuesday prior at 11 a.m. each week.
Here are the dates that you can hop on your sleigh and get in for free:
- November 21, 28 and December 5, 12, 19, 26
Read More: Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago ZooLights Free Admission |
Visit the wild residents, walk through beautiful lightshows, and experience a night like never before.
A Chicago holiday tradition that helps keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and open 365 days a year, ZooLights illuminates the zoo with more than 2.5 million lights and hundreds of dynamic displays. This FREE event on Mondays transforms Lincoln Park Zoo into a twinkling winter wonderland from Nov 19 to Jan 1 complete with visits from Santa (through Dec. 23), ice sculptors (weekends), carolers (weekdays), festive activities and sweet treats of all kinds. ZooLights runs from 4:30 pm to 10:00 p.m.
Ticketing Information
Tickets to ZooLights are $5 nightly from Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are free each Monday. All dates require a ticket accompanied by a timed reservation. Tickets to Free Admission Mondays will be released the Tuesday prior at 11 a.m. each week. Click on FREE MONDAYS here to get your free tickets. You’ll have the best chance for FREE MONDAY tickets if you go to the website on Tuesday at 11am
All guests, including children and infants, must have a ticket to enter, including free nights.
ZooLights runs 4:30–10 p.m. nightly from November 19 through January 1, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Several dates are also reserved for special events. Special events may impact ZooLights hours. Free or $5 ZooLights dates are:
- November 19-23, 25-30
- December 2–14, 16–23, 26–31
- January 1
That includes ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo!
ZOOLIGHTS AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO – CHICAGO
ZooLights features hundreds of luminous displays and incredible seasonal activities, all under the glow of 2.5 million lights. Ice sculpture carving, strolling carolers and Santa are regular fixtures of the event.
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
When: FREE MONDAY Nov. 29 through Jan 1
Cost: Free on Mondays
Lincoln Park Zoo Lights
FESTIVE ACTIVITIES
- Photos with Santa (through December 23)
- Hundreds of themed displays with 3D and LED lights all across zoo grounds
- Live ice carving (Fridays and Saturdays only)
- Roaming Christmas carolers (Sundays only, before Dec. 25)
- A holiday pop-up bar at Snowy’s Spirits & S’more
- Warm spiced wine, frosty beers, and festive drink specials
- Delicious holiday snacks
- Joyful gift shopping
- Exciting ticketed attractions
Tickets
Free Nights
November 21, 28 and December 5, 12, 19, 26
$5 Admission Nights
November 19-20, 22-23, 25-27, 29-30, December 2-4, 6-10, 13, 16-18, 20-23, 27-31, January 1
Members-Only Nights
Members: password is the first three digits of your member number.
Sensory Friendly Night
Special Events
BrewLights Presented by Louis Glunz Beer, Inc.
Thursday, December 1 (Zoolights Closed)
Learn More
The Chris White Trio Tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
Sunday, December 11, Two Shows: 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Zoolights Open)
Buy Tickets
Adults Night Out: Holidaze!
Thursday, December, 15 from 6:30–10 p.m. (Zoolights Closed)
Learn More | Buy Tickets
Zoo Year’s Eve
Saturday, December 31, from 9 p.m.–12:30 a.m. (Zoolights Open)
Learn More | Buy Tickets
Ticketed Attractions
Tickets for ZooLights attractions cost $4 for one ticket, $36 for 10 tickets, and $69 for 20 tickets. Tickets will be available to add to your Eventbrite ticket in advance. They will also be available at on-grounds ticket counters.
AT&T Endangered Species Carousel
Round and round you go! Hop aboard your favorite carousel animal: lion, seal, ostrich, and more! 1 ticket per person
Lionel Train Adventure
This short, family-friendly train ride near the West Gate entrance is perfect for little ones! 1 ticket per person
Ferris Wheel
The crowd-favorite Ferris wheel is back in 2022! Glide above the lights and take in zoo, park and skyline views on this classic ride. Get your 3D Holospex® Glasses at this attraction. 2 tickets per person
Light Maze Presented by Invesco QQQ
Twist and turn through this year’s dazzling Light Maze, a safe, beautifully-lit path sure to rouse holiday spirits. Get your 3D Holospex® Glasses at this attraction. 1 ticket per person
S’mores at Snowy’s
Get toasty by a wood burning fire pit. 2 tickets per person
