Chicago Hot Blog

The Annual Lincoln Park Zoo Lights exhibit opens on the day after Thanksgiving, November 23rd. The lights will be turned on Friday - Sundays until December 9th; Lincoln Park Zoo Lights will be turned on every day from December 14 - January 1st.

Along with the usual free admission to Lincoln Park Zoo, this year’s Lincoln Park Zoo Lights will feature many other family-oriented attractions:

(from the official website)

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Santa’s Safari
Visitors can share their holiday wishes with Santa in the wildest setting in town. This is a perfect spot to take your holiday photos surrounded by life-like gorillas, flamingos, crocodiles and more.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Ice Carving
Watch our artists transform blocks of ice into animals, city skylines and more!

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Giant Snow Globes
Don’t miss Frosty, Rudolph, The Grinch and Charlie Brown in larger than life snowglobes on the South lawn.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Dinner, Wine and Treats
Landmark Cafe serves warm spiced wine, frosty beer and hot cocoa. Park Place Café will also serve beverages, cool treats and delicious dinners.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Endangered Species Carousel
From western lowland gorillas to Siberian tigers, more than 48 endangered and threatened species are featured on this beautiful, handcrafted, old fashioned carousel. $2.50 admission (weather permitting)

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Family Crafts sponsored by
Warm up at the historic Kovler Lion House, where kids of all ages can make their own holiday crafts and get temporary tattoos.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights African Safari Ride
Hop into this safari simulator and encounter wild rhinos, cheetahs, elephants and more on this thrilling and bumpy ride. $4 for zoo members, $5 for non-members.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Members Lounge
The Members Lounge is exclusive and free for our members and their guests, who are invited to come in from the cold to enjoy treats, music, activities for the kids and holiday cheer for all. The Members Lounge is located on the lower level of Park Place Cafe. Open throughout ZooLights from 5-8 p.m.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Special Nights
ComEd Holiday Lights Trade-In Event
Saturday, November 24 3-9 p.m.
The first 500 people to trade in two sets of incandescent holiday lights will receive two free sets of energy-efficient LED holiday lights.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Latino Culture Weekend Celebration
On Dec. 1 and 2 enjoy the sounds of Latin music, learn authentic crafts and join fun activities. Local radio personalities will broadcast live from Zoo Lights, where Santa will hear wishes in both Spanish and English.

For more information about Lincoln Park Zoo Lights click here to visit the official website.