The Bronx Zoo’s seasonal celebration returns!
Select dates November 19 through January 9
Exclusive Member Preview: Sold Out
Tickets are required and must be reserved in advance.
A celebration in lights
We’re celebrating the wildlife we love with immersive light displays, animal lanterns, holiday decor, animated sculptures, colored tunnels and arches, tree lighting, and architectural lighting.

More than 260 lanterns representing almost 70 animal and plant species will connect you to the real wildlife and wild places that WCS staff works to protect through our field programs around the world, and our zoos and aquarium in New York. 79 new lanterns representing 30 new animal species will make their debut at this year’s Holiday Lights!

A glowing pathway celebrating Africa’s animals in lights, including giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, lions, lemurs, gorillas, okapi, African gray parrots, and chimpanzees.

Encounter glittering rhinos, tigers, hornbills, pangolin, leopards, monkeys, elephants, snow leopard, and markhor.

Discover our illuminated macaws, jaguar, crocodile, and flamingos plus all-new guanacos, puma, elephant seals, anaconda, river turtles, and spider monkeys.

Experience North American animal lanterns, including polar bears, caribou, wolves, and bison plus all-new walrus, wolverine, brown bears, moose, trumpeter swans, golden eagles, and prairie dogs.

An undersea journey in lights including penguins, sea turtles, dolphins, corals, sea lions, spotted rays, and nurse sharks.
FOREST OF COLOR
Journey into a forest of light, surrounded by 21 all-new larger-than-life lanterns representing toads, frogs, snails, sunbirds, turtles, moths, butterflies, and more in a unique outdoor experience.
The brightly colored animals and plants that fill the Forest of Color represent the beauty and diversity of nature, showing that our planet is home to tiny animals who display some of the brightest colors on earth, and sharing ideas on how we can help to protect them.

Entertainment

Costume Characters
Meet costumed wildlife characters and take a photo.
Somba Village

Ice Carving Demonstrations
Join us for nightly ice carving demonstrations as expert artists create wildlife art from giant ice blocks!
Grizzly Corner

Ice Carving Competitions
On Fridays starting 11/26, except 12/31, watch as our expert ice artists go head-to-head in live carving competitions!
Grizzly Corner

Stilt Walkers
Encounter amazing animal-themed stilt walkers - perfect for family photo ops and festive fun.
Astor Court

Holiday Train
The family-favorite kids’s ride returns for 2021!
Astor Court; $3 ($2 Members)

Wildlife Theater
Enjoy family-friendly puppet adventures and test your wits in an animal trivia challenge.
Dancing Crane Pavilion

Seasonal Treats
Get your fill of hot cocoa, roasted marshmallows, ice cream, coffee, and gifts to bring home and enjoy. Plus we’re adding more s’mores than ever before - featuring creative toppings!
Throughout the Zoo
A beloved tradition returns! Plan your visit today.

WCS Member Benefits
Tickets are required and must be reserved in advance.
WCS Zoo MembersThree preview days 40% off tickets to all event days |
IDNYC and Aquarium Members40% off tickets to all event days |
Conservation Supporter level Members & aboveEnjoy free entry to Holiday Lights throughout the program |
Join as a Conservation Level Member now for FREE access to Holiday Lights!
Become a Conservation Member Now
Want to upgrade your existing membership?
Call us at 718-220-5112 from 9 am to 5 pm daily!
Check out Members FAQs for more details.
Interested in booking a private, exclusive Holiday Lights evening experience for your group?
Learn More