New this year: Admission to ZooLights is free, but a special entry pass separate from a daily Zoo pass will be required for all attendees, including Zoo Members. There is a flat-rate parking fee of $30. Daytime parking tickets are not valid for ZooLights parking.

Passes Released on a rolling schedule: ZooLights free entry passes and paid parking passes will be available on a rolling basis two weeks prior to the event night. Additional passes will be released one week out from the event, the day before, and the day of the event. Ticket release timing is as follows:

2 weeks out | released at midnight

1 week out | released at midnight

Day before |released at midnight

Day of | released at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

All proceeds from ZooLights concessions and parking sales benefit animal care and conservation science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Parking

A flat-rate parking fee of $30 applies to all ZooLights attendees. Last admittance is 8:30 p.m. During Member Night, members receive free parking at ZooLights.

Metro

The Zoo is accessible via the Red Line to the Woodley Park-Zoo or Cleveland Park metro station. The Zoo entrance lies halfway between these stops, and both are a short walk from the Zoo. 

The DC Circulator bus will also provide shuttle service from the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro station to the Zoo during Zoolights. The shuttle will operate every 15 minutes from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. when Zoolights is in operation (except Member Night). DC Circulator ride fees apply.

This year Member Night is Dec. 15, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m!

Members Night benefits include:

• Free parking* (requires advance reservation)
• Free carousel rides (weather permitting)
• 20% off in-park food and retail
• Complimentary refreshments

• Open animal houses (Elephant Community Center, Reptile Discovery Center, Small Mammals House and Primates

• Special giveaways

Reserve Member Night Passes [SOLD OUT]

Members can use their standard 15% discount on in-park food and retail during any night of ZooLights when they present their membership card and photo ID at checkout.

*Free parking reservation does not count towards annual free parking pass benefit.

Families can enjoy special winter treats, including popcorn, kettle corn, holiday cookies, soft pretzels, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream s'mores and seasonal gelato. Hungry visitors can dine indoors at Elevation Burger at the Mane Grill or enjoy ZooLights specials at Bootheel BBQ including brisket chili and jambalaya. Children can stay warm by sipping hot chocolate or spiced cider while adults enjoy holiday beverages, including warm bourbon-spiked cider and a hot cocoa cocktail at Vintage Views, mulled wine and coffee.

Food and drink vendors include:

Elevation Burger
Ben & Jerry’s
Dippin Dots
Dolci Gelati
Vintage Views
Sbarro’s
Auntie Anne's
Bootheel Bar B Que

Enjoy live music from these performers at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.:

Nov. 25 | Alice Park
Nov. 26 | Joyous Voice Quartet
Nov. 27 | Joyous Voice Quartet
Dec. 2 | Lost & Sound
Dec. 3 | World View
Dec. 4 | American University Jazz Combo
Dec. 9 | Impitched: Wash DC A Cappella
Dec. 10 | Supreme Chord
Dec. 11 | Boyle School of Irish Dance
Dec. 16 | Timber Lane Honors Chorus
Dec. 17 | Wakefield Forest Elementary School
Dec. 18 | Studio Bleu Vocal Groups
Dec. 19 | Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Chamber Singers
Dec. 20 | Fantasy Players
Dec. 21 | Lindsay Rupprecht, A Time to Twirl 
Dec. 22 | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School and Walt Whitman High School 
Dec. 23 | TBD
Dec. 26 | Joyous Voice Quartet
Dec. 27 | Joyous Voice Quartet
Dec. 28 | Joyous Voice Quartet
Dec. 29 | Joyous Voice Quartet
Dec. 30 | Joyous Voice Quartet

All ZooLights pathways are wheelchair accessible. Please note that the Zoo’s main pathway is located on a hill with a significant decline from top to bottom.

For more information on access services at the Zoo, please contact Guest Services at 202-633-2614.

Wheelchair and Electronic Vehicle Rental

Wheelchairs and electronic vehicles are available on a first-come, first-served basis during ZooLights hours (5-9 p.m.).

Manual wheelchairs are available inside the Visitor Center and at the Information Station at Lion-Tiger Hill (parking lot D).

Cost: Free

Electronic convenience vehicles are available for rent inside the Visitor Center and at the Information Stations at Panda Plaza (parking lots A and B) and Lion-Tiger Hill (parking lot D). Please note: A state-issued driver's license is required to rent and operate an electronic convenience vehicle.

Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non-members

Accessible Restrooms

Restrooms are located at the Visitor Center, Panda Plaza and Conservation Pavilion. All restrooms throughout the Zoo are accessible. The Visitor Center’s restrooms, water fountains and Asia Trail gift shop are accessible via wheelchair lift.

Family restrooms are located in the Visitor Center, Elephant Outpost and Conservation Pavilion. All restrooms at the Zoo have automatic flushing mechanisms.