Sensory Inclusive Nights on December 5 & January 3
Changes to activity availability may occur due to unforeseen conditions. This program does not include animal exhibits. All animal exhibits close at 4:00pm. Holiday Lights is a rain or shine event.
Holiday Lights tickets are available for purchase online only. All visitors, including Members, must reserve a Holiday Lights ticket in advance - either a Date-Specific ticket or ANY-NIGHT Ticket. No tickets will be sold on site.
Looking for flexibility in your holiday season planning? Our Holiday Lights ANY-NIGHT Ticket allows you one visit on any of the public event dates. No need to reschedule or pinpoint your arrival time - this ticket provides access for arrival any time between 3:00pm and 8:00pm.
Guests looking to change their Date-Specific Tickets can upgrade to an ANY-NIGHT Ticket ($15 per ticket for general ticket buyers; $10 per ticket for WCS Member discount tickets). We have a limited quantity of Any-Night tickets and upgrade is subject to availability.
Please contact the proper customer service team for assistance:
For general Holiday Lights tickets: Call Reservations at 800-433-4149
For MEMBER Holiday Lights tickets: Call Member Services at 718-220-5112
Yes. You can pay to upgrade Date-Specific Tickets to ANY-NIGHT Tickets. ($15 per ticket; $10 per ticket WCS Member ticket). We have a limited quantity of Any-Night tickets and upgrade is subject to availability.
Please contact the proper customer service team for assistance:
For general Holiday Lights tickets: Call Reservations at 800-433-4149
For MEMBER Holiday Lights tickets: Call Member Services at 718-220-5112
Online tickets can be scanned from your mobile device and do not need to be printed. If you do print your tickets: use best quality resolution on white paper; bring ALL the printed tickets.
Yes! We are pleased to offer a specific Sensory-Friendly Night on December 5, 2024 and January 3, 2025 to provide an experience that is supportive of guests with sensory sensitivities. See details of program modifications on the event page, or contact guestrelations@wcs.org with additional questions.
We will make all announcements about overall event schedule or closures on our website: BronxZoo.com
While we plan to be open all of our operating dates, please understand if a significant weather event or storm might cause a change of schedule. In the event of a closure, you will be issued new ticket(s) for another operating date.
For specific weather-dependent activities or unforeseen changes in program, please use our mobile site.
Daytime park hours on days with Holiday Lights is 10:00am - 4:30pm. The last tickets sold for daytime operating hours is 12pm. Guests with daytime admission tickets must exit the park by 4:30pm. Holiday Lights ticket sales start at 3:00pm. Guests entering the zoo after 3:00pm must have a Holiday Lights ticket to stay in the park.
All ticket sales are final. There are no refunds, cancellations or rescheduling for Holiday Lights tickets. For reservation changes, you can upgrade your Date-Specific Tickets to ANY-NIGHT Tickets. ($15 per general audience ticket; $10 per ticket for WCS Member tickets). We have a limited quantity of Any-Night tickets and upgrade is subject to availability.
Please contact the proper customer service team:
For general Holiday Lights tickets: Call Reservations at 800-433-4149
For MEMBER Holiday Lights tickets: Call Member Services at 718-220-5112
We are sorry for the difficulty. Please first check to confirm that the purchase was completed on your credit card. If the charge is in “Pending” status of your account, that means that the transaction was not completed and there is no order made.
If the charge was fully processed and you viewed the Sale Confirmation page at the end of your online transaction but you did not receive the order email, then check your junk/spam folder. If you do not find it, you can contact us to resend your tickets. Please reach out to the Reservation Center to ask for the tickets to be resent: Phone: 800-433-4149 or email (if visit is more than 7 days away): onlinetickets@wcs.org. Be sure to include the name, email and phone number associated with your purchase.
You must get the tickets resent prior to your visit to ensure that your order was processed. If you do arrive on site without the ticket PDF it is a risk that you may not have an order reservation, and if we are sold out you will not be permitted entry.
Yes! Active military and veterans are eligible to receive a complementary Holiday Lights ticket for themselves and 50% off tickets for up to 3 guests. Advance ticket reservation required. Please use promotional code MILITARYBZ for active personnel and VETERANBZ for Veterans during checkout. Military member must be present with valid ID on entry. Group must stay together on arrival. Not transferable to spouses. To use these promotional codes, you must purchase your tickets using this link.
We offer 30% off of Holiday Lights tickets to NYC undergraduate college students. Advance ticket reservation required. Please use promo code NYCCOLLEGE during checkout. Eligible students must either be: a) attending a NYC college (must show a valid college ID from an institution within the 5 boroughs of New York City; b) NYC resident, attending non-NYC college (must show valid college ID and proof of NYC residency). To use this promotional code, you must purchase your tickets here.
Getting Here
ENTRY ONLY at Bronx River Gate and Southern Boulevard Gate. Asia and Fordham Road entrances are not open for Holiday Lights. Asia entrance is closed for Pedestrian exit after 2 pm.
Parking at the Bronx Zoo is available via the Southern Blvd entrance and Bronx River Parkway entrance. $22 car; ($24 bus, S. Blvd only). Availability is on a first come first served basis and not guaranteed. Please be aware that the Asia Gate and Fordham Road Gate are both closed at 2pm and not available for Holiday Lights access.
The BxM11 express bus makes stops along Madison Avenue, between 26th and 99th Streets, then travels directly to the Zoo's Bronx River entrance (Gate B). For your return trip, pick up the bus just outside the same gate at the MTA BxM11 sign (just before the underpass). ADA-accessible route: #2 train to Pelham Parkway. This station has three elevators* that lead down to street level. Head west to the Zoo's Bronx River entrance (Gate B). Please check with the MTA for schedules.
Holiday Lights operates 3pm to 9pm (last entry 8pm).
Holiday Lights tickets are available for 1-hour timed arrival windows, beginning at 3pm. A 3pm ticket for Holiday Lights allows guests to arrive with a little time to visit animal exhibits before those close for the day, promptly at 4pm. Then see the park transform and light up during the sunset transition! Lights and lanterns are turned on around sundown (approximately 4:30pm).
Bronx River and Southern Boulevard Gates are open. Asia and Fordham Road entrances are not open for Holiday Lights. Asia entrance is closed for Pedestrian exit after 2 pm.
No. Holiday Lights will take over a large portion of the Bronx Zoo, but all animal exhibit buildings and some other areas will be closed after 4:00pm. Please adhere to all posted signs or barriers that block off some pathways as well as one way paths.
The star attraction for Holiday Lights is the lights! All animal exhibits will be closed to allow animals to get a full night's rest. To see our animals, please visit the Bronx Zoo during the daytime. In winter season, animal exhibits close at 4:00pm.
A variety of standard and special seasonal food offerings will be available. The Dancing Crane Café will be open during all Holiday Lights operating hours. Additional food stands and carts may be open depending on weather.
Yes! The Bronx Zoo Store will be open during all Holiday Lights operating hours. Additional gift stands and carts may be available, weather permitting.
With hundreds of displays, as well as a variety of scheduled activities, programs, dining and shopping options, you can spend all night there! We typically find a Holiday Lights visit to be 2-3 hours.
A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for rent at each entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. Electric Convenience Vehicles are only available for rent at the Southern Boulevard entrance. See Accessibility for more information.
The Bronx Zoo, in partnership with KultureCity, is working to improve our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory processing needs. Learn more about the Holiday Lights experience with our social story.
Join us for a special Sensory-Friendly Night on December 5, 2024 and January 3, 2025. See details of program modifications and purchase tickets on the event page.
If visiting on another night for Holiday Lights nights, guests can:
Check out a KultureCity Sensory Bag. Available free of charge with an ID hold, bags are loaned on a first come first serve basis. We ask that bags are returned by 9pm. Sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones and other resources. They are fully disinfected when returned and before a new guest checks one out.
Take a break in the Quiet Area. Available 5-8pm, Sun – Thurs; 5-9pm Fri & Sat. Indoors at Administration West building, next to the Sea Lion Pool. This is an indoor space with lower light and sound, to help guests needing a break from highly stimulating program areas.
For visitors in need of assistance, please contact Guest Relations at 718-220-5103 or stop by Administration West building, next to Sea Lion Pool.
WCS Members who have a Zoos, Zoos PLUS or Legacy level get FREE access to Holiday Lights on Member preview days. Exclusive Member discount (up to 40% off) is available for all other dates. WCS Conservation Supporters, Conservation Fellows, Conservation Partners, Patrons, and Heritage Circle Members have FREE access to the entire Holiday Lights program with advance reservations. IMPORTANT! Tickets are required for all guests for all days including Member preview days and Conservation-level Members and Patrons. Additionally, free or discounted Member entry is only for the quantity of people covered on the membership. Each additional guest must have a regular Holiday Lights ticket. Please make sure you have your membership card and photo ID upon entry.
Not a Conservation-level Member? Call us at 718-220-5112 from 9 am to 5pm to upgrade your existing membership.
Yes, all WCS Members receive a 40% discount on Regular Holiday Lights tickets for the individual(s) listed on their membership. A valid membership card and photo ID must be presented at the time of entry, along with your Holiday Lights tickets.
No. The Holiday Lights member discount is exclusely for WCS Members. Discounted tickets can only be purchased for the individual(s) listed on the membership. If you would like to upgrade your existing membership, feel free to call us at 718-220-5112 from 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
Holiday Lights is a special event with extended park hours and is not included in IDNYC Member benefits. A WCS IDNYC Member can purchase a Holiday Lights ticket at our Member discount. Member discount is only for the quantity of people on the Membership (IDNYC Membership covers one person - only the individual named on the card). Valid Membership card and ID must be presented on entry with Member ticket. If you'd like to upgrade your existing Membership you can! Call us at 718-220-5112 from 9 am to 5 pm daily!
IDNYC Members are not eligible for free entry on Preview Days, but are eligible for up to a 40% Member discount ticket for the named individual on the card.
Aquarium-Only Members are eligible for up to 40% Member discount tickets (for the quantity of people covered on the Membership), but are not eligible for the free entry on Preview Days. But you can upgrade your existing membership by calling us at 718-220-5112 from 9 am to 5 pm daily. Join us for even more great benefits and wild experiences.
All WCS Members can receive up to a 40% discount on Holiday Lights tickets for the quantity of people covered on your Membership. You must show your Membership card upon arrival, so please be sure to check your Membership level to purchase the correct quantity of discount tickets.
Yes. Member parking benefits do apply to Holiday Lights. All standard parking policies and restrictions apply (one car per membership per day; member must show valid card and ID upon arrival or parking fees will apply. Parking is on a first come first serve basis and is not guaranteed. Availability is subject to capacity or other unforeseen conditions.)
For your best experience, please have your valid Member card and ID ready upon arrival at the zoo. You can access your digital Membership card through the Member Portal and save it in your Apple or Google Wallet. Member look-up will be available at the Admissions entry. We will do our best to assist you in a timely manner, but some delay can be expected for look-ups.
Know Before You Go
Important Warning: Some areas may include intense audio, UV lighting, extremely low visibility, strobe lights, fog, and/or special effects. It is not recommended for guests who are claustrophobic, pregnant, are prone to seizures, or have heart and/or respiratory problems.
Balloons, radios, bikes, skateboards, or scooters are not permitted in the Zoo. Playing ball is also prohibited. For a complete list of park rules: bronxzoo.com/rules
We only allow working Service Animals, in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, “a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to work or perform tasks for assisting a person with a disability.” Service dogs are working animals, not pets. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Pets, comfort animals, emotional support or therapy animals are not permitted at the Zoo. Upon arrival at the park, you must check in with Admissions so a supervisor can review some logistical items with you and issue a Service Dog Admission pass*. Thank you for your cooperation to ensure a safe and successful visit for yourself, your service dog, the animals cared for at the zoo, and other park guests.
*As stipulated by the ADA, Zoo staff may request that a service dog experiencing difficulty or demonstrating problematic behaviors, such as barking or lunging, be removed from the Zoo immediately. We ask that you promptly comply with any such request for the safety and welfare of all.
Check out our interactive map!
Maximize your next trip to the zoo. Check out bronxzoo.com/today on your smartphone to view real-time info and our interactive map.
Need some direction? Access real-time info and our interactive map.