Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Admission: Six Lantern Safaris

The park transforms at sunset, animal lanterns lighting up as the day exhibits close.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights is a timed-entry evening event where you walk through the park to see millions of LED lights, six Lantern Safaris with custom animal sculptures, and interactive entertainment stations. Entry is anytime between 1pm and 8pm, so you can catch the animal exhibits before they close at 4pm, then stay for the light show as the sun sets. Live animal access at the Children's Zoo Farmyard is new for 2026.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

• Enter Bronx Zoo between 1pm and 8pm
• Visit animal exhibits before 4pm
• Watch park transform at sunset
• Walk six Lantern Safaris with animal lanterns
• Enjoy light tunnels and musical holiday tree
• Experience interactive glow walls
• Slide snow tube and throw virtual snowballs
• Watch ice-carving demos and puppet shows
• See costumed light performers
• Ride Holiday Train (optional, $4 fee)
• Purchase seasonal treats and drinks

The experience

The park itself becomes the attraction. You enter anytime between 1pm and 8pm and move through at your own pace, passing light tunnels, a musical holiday tree at Astor Court, and interactive glow walls at Dancing Crane Plaza. The six Lantern Safaris are the centerpiece: hundreds of custom-designed animal lanterns line the pathways, each one lit by energy-efficient LEDs. If you arrive by 3pm, you have time to visit the live animal exhibits before they close at 4pm. After that, the focus shifts entirely to the lights and the entertainment stations scattered throughout the grounds.

Entertainment happens at fixed spots. At Giraffe Corner, you slide down a snow tube and throw virtual snowballs. At Grizzly Corner, ice-carving demonstrations run throughout the evening. The Dancing Crane Pavilion hosts puppet shows, and costumed light performers move through Astor Court. The Children's Zoo Farmyard offers live animal access, new this year, so families with younger kids have a hands-on element alongside the displays. A separate Holiday Train circles Fountain Circle for a $4 fee per ride. Hot chocolate, cider, eggnog, s'mores, and seasonal drinks are available for purchase at concession stands around the park.

The event runs rain or shine, and the park is wheelchair accessible with stroller-friendly pathways. Children under 2 enter free. Children 3 and up need a ticket. Service animals are welcome, and public transportation options are nearby if you're coming from elsewhere in the city.

What’s included

• Admission to Holiday Lights with all light displays and six Lantern Safaris.
• interactive Freeze Zone activities including snow tube slide and virtual snowball throws.
• ice-carving demonstrations, puppet shows, and costumed light performers.
• Children's Zoo Farmyard live animal access.
• photo opportunities at glow walls and interactive stations.

Information

Lasts 1h–2h, runs every day at 13:00, from US$ 29.95 per person and with a live guide in English.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Wildlife Conservation Society

Is this one for you?This is a self-guided evening event where you walk the park at your own pace, so it suits families who want flexibility and don't need a structured tour. If you arrive by 3pm, you can combine live animal viewing with the lights. If you come later, you're there purely for the evening show and entertainment stations.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

Can I visit the live animal exhibits before the lights come on?

Yes. If you enter by 3pm, you have time to see the animals before the exhibits close at 4pm. After that, the park is lit for the evening light show.

What are the Lantern Safaris?

Six immersive walking routes through the park where you pass hundreds of custom-designed animal lanterns lit by LED lights. They're the main visual attraction of the event.

What time should I arrive to see both the animals and the lights?

Arriving around 3pm gives you an hour to visit the live exhibits before they close at 4pm, then you stay for the light show as the sun sets and the park transforms.

Do I need to buy food or drinks at the event?

Festive concessions like hot chocolate, cider, eggnog, and s'mores are available for purchase on site, but they're optional. Bring your own or buy as you go.