The L.A. Zoo is staying open after dark most nights through January during this delightful take on its light-up holiday tradition.
Once again, the “Animals Aglow”–themed event will go all in on oversized animal-shaped lanterns, and—based on last year’s edition—the result is a colorful, charming trail that celebrates the zoo’s natural inhabitants. Plentiful and vibrant, these lantern versions of wildlife, birds, butterflies and insects come to life with playful movements and animation. Flora shares some of the focus, too. New lanterns and light displays this year spotlight the animals of Southeast Asia and Africa.
Though Zoo Lights has eschewed most overtly Christmassy elements (a thematically focused upgrade to its original versions, in our opinion), it hasn’t ditched interactive spectacle. You can relax on illuminated swings, dance inside a shell of kaleidoscopic mirrors and more.
Buy your timed tickets (available in two sessions nightly) in advance to avoid the worst of the entry lines, and stick to the “value” nights if you want to save up to $6 on admission. The zoo’s merry-go-round menagerie and photos with Santa are also available for an additional fee, and cozy refreshments like churros and hot cocoa are sold at a few different stands. Note: Wear comfortable shoes; the lights only cover about a third of the zoo grounds, but you’ll be walking slightly uphill for most of the way
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Can I buy L.A. Zoo Light tickets at the door?
Yes, the box office is open from 5:45 to 8:45pm on event days. But we’d highly encourage buying your tickets (available for entry starting either at 6 or 7:30pm) in advance to secure your preferred time slot and avoid some of the lines.
How long does it take to see L.A. Zoo Lights?
It took us just over an hour to walk through the experience while stopping for photos a few times along the way. Had we taken a spin on the carousel, roasted some s’mores, grabbed a bite to eat or waited in line for a handful of the photo ops, we could have easily spent another half-hour or more there.
