Booking choice: The one-hour family ghost walk, 1 hour. Book this See all the options below
ZooLights is Lincoln Park Zoo's own winter light festival. For 2026-27 it runs from November 20 to January 3, 2027, from 4:30 to 9 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m.
Tickets come from the zoo itself, not from GetYourGuide. What you can book on GetYourGuide are other evening outings nearby, such as the family-friendly Embers of the Windy City ghost walk that starts in Oz Park.
The quick answer
Yes, every visitor needs a ticket for ZooLights. Choose a fixed-date or flexible ticket from the zoo, or try for Free Admission Monday tickets, released one week in advance at 11 a.m. CT. All tickets are nonrefundable and the event runs rain, snow or shine.
Do you need tickets for ZooLights?
Yes. The zoo states that every visitor needs a ticket for ZooLights.
This is different from a daytime visit to Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free with no reservation. The zoo recommends buying in advance, since availability at the gate is not guaranteed.
When is ZooLights 2026-27?
ZooLights runs from November 20 to January 3, 2027, from 4:30 to 9 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m.
Arrive well before 8 p.m. so you have time to wander. Check the zoo's website for the full calendar before you go.
| Detail | 2026-27 season |
|---|---|
| Dates | November 20 to January 3, 2027 |
| Hours | 4:30 to 9 p.m. |
| Last entry | 8 p.m. |
| Weather | Rain, snow or shine |
Start the evening with a one-hour, family-friendly ghost walk from the Tin Man statue in Oz Park.
Book thisWhat is the difference between fixed-date and flexible tickets?
A fixed-date ticket is for a set date, while a flexible ticket gives you more freedom over when you go.
If your plans are firm, a fixed-date ticket keeps things simple. If you are watching the weather or juggling family schedules, a flexible ticket may suit you better. Check the zoo's website for the exact terms of each.
How do Free Admission Mondays work at ZooLights?
Most weeks the zoo offers Free Admission Mondays, with those tickets released one week in advance at 11 a.m. CT.
- Set a reminder for 11 a.m. Central Time, one week before the Monday you want.
- You still need a ticket, even on a free Monday.
- Free Admission Mondays run most weeks, not necessarily every week, so check the calendar.
Can you get a refund on ZooLights tickets?
No. All ZooLights tickets are nonrefundable, and the event goes ahead rain, snow or shine.
Dress for a Chicago winter evening, with warm layers, gloves and boots suited to snow. If you are unsure about your date, consider a flexible ticket.
A one-hour walk of about a mile through the neighbourhood around Oz Park; the listing says it is family-friendly and runs rain or shine.
Book thisDo zoo members get ZooLights tickets?
Yes. Lincoln Park Zoo members get complimentary fixed-date tickets.
If you visit Chicago often, membership details are on the zoo's website.
What else can you do in Lincoln Park on a winter evening?
Pair ZooLights with an evening ghost walk nearby. These run on select evenings, so check dates on the listing before you plan around one.
The Embers of the Windy City walk lasts about an hour, and the listing mentions a "woman in white" story at the zoo. For older groups, the Lincoln Park Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour starts at 8 p.m. on select evenings, according to the listing, and is not for children under 7.
By day, the Lincoln Park Conservatory offers warm, humid glasshouses with free timed-entry tickets.
Hear Lincoln Park's darker stories on an evening walk of about two and a half hours past the Couch Tomb and the zoo.
Book thisFrequently asked questions
Is ZooLights free?
Every visitor needs a ticket. Free Admission Mondays run most weeks, with tickets released one week in advance at 11 a.m. CT; other nights use fixed-date or flexible tickets.
Can you buy ZooLights tickets at the gate?
The zoo recommends buying in advance, as availability at the gate is not guaranteed.
Is Lincoln Park Zoo free during the day in winter?
Yes. Daytime admission to Lincoln Park Zoo is free with no reservation, and the zoo is open 365 days a year.
Does ZooLights close for bad weather?
ZooLights runs rain, snow or shine, and tickets are nonrefundable.
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option, booked on GetYourGuide.
Lincoln Park Haunted History Ghost Walk
- Guide and paranormal ghost-hunting equipment
- Meets at the Clark Street doors of the Chicago History Museum
- Select evenings at 8 p.m.; ends at 2122 N. Clark Street
Lakefront Neighborhoods Bike Tour
- Bicycle, helmet and guide; child equipment available
- Meets at Bobby's Bike Hike, 540 N. Lake Shore Drive (entrance on Ohio Street)
- Gold Coast, Old Town and Lincoln Park on protected paths
