Related Resources
Host your holiday party at the Zoo during ZooLights!
Add the Zoo's animals to your holiday gift list. Our keepers have created an enrichment list and invite people to buy an item and bring it to the Asia Trail or Panda shop. Find out more.
Get tips on giving green holiday gifts to friends and family.
Thanks to our lead sponsor:
Thank you to our sponsors:
Thanks to C2Media for their generous donation of print services.
6-8:30 p.m.
December 4-13
(Friday through Sunday nights)
December 18-January 2
(Every night except December 24, 25, and 31)
Join us for ZooLights, the National Zoo’s annual winter celebration. Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling environmentally-friendly lights and animated exhibits, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.
But that's not all. Every evening, our friends from Pepco educate visitors about simple practices they can adopt in their households to save energy. The larger-than-life ZooLight displays are all constructed of LED lights that use about 90 percent less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs.
And last but not least, visitors have the chance to see lots of animals. The Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat, Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, Think Tank, and Kids' Farm will be open every night.
Tickets*
FONZ members: $5 | Nonmembers: $8
|
202.397.7328
Tickets for any night of ZooLights canceled due to inclement weather will be valid any other night of ZooLights.
*Military Nights: On December 6, 11, 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, and January 1, active members of the military and their spouses and children get into ZooLights free when they show a military ID.
All adults and children ages two and older require tickets. Kids under two are free. Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-replaceable.
See highlights from ZooLights 2008. The Washington Post called ZooLights “an ideal activity for family and friends.” Read more of the Post’s 2008 review in this 
Weekend section feature.
Special Themed Nights
ZooLights offers a variety of entertainment groups and themed evenings, including giveaways and military nights. See the schedule.
Help Make Someone Else's Holidays Bright
Help others in the community by supporting the Zoo's canned food drive. Please bring canned food items to the Panda Shop or the Great Cats Shop. Donations will benefit the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization.
Bring canned goods to the Bus Parking lot on Coke Caravan Night for a holiday gift. (While supplies last.)
Sponsor ZooLights
In addition to attending this sensational event, you can help sponsor it or sponsor a specific light display or special area of the Zoo. Learn more
Take Metro to ZooLights
We encourage you to take Metro to the Zoo. Pedestrians may enter the Zoo through the Connecticut Avenue or Harvard Street entrances.
Parking at the Zoo and parking near the Zoo is limited. As always, FONZ members park free of charge. Directions to the Zoo
Show your Metro farecard or SmarTrip card at the Mane Restaurant will receive a free holiday cookie! (One per visitor while supplies last.)
