Dallas Zoo. Photo by Danny Fulgencio.
Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant is returning for its eighth year with dazzling lights and new immersive displays.
This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Wild Light,” featuring an adventure through a larger-than-life experience where wild things glow.
Tickets for the walk-thru, holiday lights event are now on sale. Dallas Zoo Lights will open to the public on Friday, Nov. 22 and will light up nearly every night through Saturday, Jan. 4.
New this year at the Zoo’s Picnic Ridge area is Visions of the Wild, where kids can dress up in explorer gear and go on a light adventure through the diverse biomes around the world in a 360-degree immersive experience.
New for the 2024 season, the prehistoric world comes to life at “Dino Lumina: A Jurassic Adventure” in a first-of-its-kind, immersive projection experience that allows guests to walk among dinosaurs. Dino Lumina is located in the Zoo’s DinoLand, a walk-thru dinosaur experience included free with Dallas Zoo Lights admission.
The Zoo team began installing lights in the midst of the August heat and has more than 2 million holiday lights. The event also includes:
• 60 larger-than-life animal lanterns
• The Rainforest Radiance Show, a timed light show at the Amphitheater set to holiday tunes
• Santa’s Holiday Storyland will be open for the ever-popular visits and free photos with Santa each night;
• The Lacerte Children’s Zoo decked out as a glow-in-the-dark “Neon Ocean Adventure;”
• Unique photo ops for holiday s-elf-ies;
• Nightly musical performances from local acts in Prime Meridian Cafe; and
• Festive new holiday menu items and drinks, including specialty s’mores, savory soups, and even spiked hot cocoa for guests aged 21+.
“Dallas Zoo Lights, one of the best – and wildest – holiday traditions in Dallas, is here and it’s bigger and brighter than ever! If you like to experience the Zoo and see our animals during the day, then you’ll love this unique holiday light event that only the Zoo can deliver,” said Sean Greene, Chief Operating Officer at the Dallas Zoo.
The emphasis for Dallas Zoo Lights is on the lights, so guests should keep in mind most of the animals will already have gone behind the scenes for the night by the time the event begins.
Ticket prices start at just $16 for adults, and kids ages 2 and under are always free. Tickets for Dallas Zoo Members at the Dual through Passport levels start at $13, and Patron-level members and above can reserve free tickets to Dallas Zoo Lights.
These event nights will likely sell out fast, so guests are encouraged to get their tickets now:
• Member-Only Night – Tuesday, December 3: This night is reserved just for Dallas Zoo members, with exclusive access to Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant on a special, closed-to-the-public night.
• Dallas Zoo After Dark – Thursday, December 12: Adults 21+ take over the Zoo for this holiday-themed evening, where they can enjoy specialty cocktails and fun activities, while enjoying all the magic of Dallas Zoo Lights.
• Sensory Friendly Night – Monday, December 16: Families can enjoy the excitement of Dallas Zoo Lights through activities designed for smaller crowds, with a lower volume of music, sensory havens, and an opportunity to meet Santa Claus.
