When night falls in Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo glows. ZooLights, the Valley’s most beloved holiday tradition, returns from November 25, 2026 through January 15, 2027, with more than five million twinkling lights spread across over two miles of shimmering zoo trails.
This season brings plenty of brand-new magic. Stroll under a dazzling 50-foot LED tree with new music and synchronized imagery, then lose yourself in “Wander the Wonder, A Trail Less Ordinary,” a brand-new mesmerizing experience along the Arizona Trail. The Glow Garden invites everyone to dance on a glowing floor and swing on interactive glow swings, while a 200-foot-long immersive light tunnel makes for unforgettable photos.
Little explorers can have their photo taken with Santa Claus from November 25 through December 23, giggle along with the joke-telling giraffe in the “Camp Jengo” show, and marvel at dinosaurs lit up along the trail. Families can also snuggle up by the fire with s’mores and hot cocoa in Plaza de los Niños. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $30 for members; children 2 and under are free, and sensory-friendly and cruise-through nights are offered as special ticketed experiences.
Whether you’re starting a new family ritual or continuing one that goes back generations, ZooLights is the heartbeat of the holidays in Phoenix — warm, sparkling and full of joy.
Photo: Phoenix Zoo
