Atlanta’s favorite holiday glow is coming back! IllumiNights at the Zoo, the beloved lantern festival presented by Georgia Power, returns to Zoo Atlanta on select nights from November 21 through January 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m. For a few magical weeks, the Zoo transforms after dark into a sparkling nighttime wonderland celebrating the beauty of nature.
The heart of the evening is a mile-long trail glowing with hundreds of brilliantly illuminated wildlife lanterns and captivating displays, from the fins of the seas to the wings of the skies. Each of the more than 100 lanterns is hand-crafted and hand-painted by Chinese artisans, representing thousands of hours of work, and lit with environmentally friendly LED lights. Because the Zoo’s living animals head indoors before dark, the lanterns themselves become the wildlife for the night — so plan a daytime visit too if you want to see the real residents.
Along the way, guests can warm up with hot cocoa, gather around fire pits for a classic marshmallow roast, ride the Endangered Species Carousel, and try limited-time adventures at the Wild Explorer VR Theater. Festival snacks and meals will be available at select concession locations, and there are photo opportunities at every turn.
IllumiNights is a separately ticketed event, and capacity is limited, so advance online tickets are strongly recommended. General admission is $20.99 to $24.99 for adults and $17.99 to $19.99 for children ages 3 to 11, with children 2 and under free and discounts for Zoo Atlanta members. The event is rain or shine, and paid parking is available in the Cherokee Avenue lot and the Grant Park Gateway facility. Happy City News cannot think of a brighter way to start the holiday season in Atlanta!
Photo: Zoo Atlanta
